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Comments
First of all, I would MAKE SURE that disabling the stereo unit doesn't affect the vehicle's warranty whatsoever. That is the most important thing to check out.
Second, you should be able to use all of the same wiring if you installed an aftermarket cd player, dvd player, nav system, etc. There are a lot of different wiring harnesses and such.
You may need some special modifications or moldings on the dash. The factory head unit is rather large, and most aftermarket parts are not that large so some custome work may be required.
Make sure you don't void the vehicle's warranty by doing anything yourself.
Good luck!
What is the way to play MP3's?
- you can have mp3s on an ipod, and connect the ipod with a cable to the plug that is in the back of the trapped door storage area underneath the radio. There is a 12v outlet and aux-input plug in there. They will play after pressing the aux button on the radio.
Thanks!
It's basically a male-to-male plug. If you look at your headphone jack that plugs into the ipod, it's that same connector on both ends of the cable. Get it Radio Shack, and I'd bet BestBuy, CompUSA, Target, Walmart...anywhere technology accessories are sold.
I've just bought a new '08 Toyota Camry LE, and while the car has many good things about it, I am EXTREMELY disappointed with the stereo system. Even my friends who have '07/08 Camrys agree with me that the sound is thin, muddy, distant, and cold. I've tried altering the Bass/Treble EQs and the front/rear balance but the general quality remains poor.
Brief history: My previous car was an '03 VW-Passat, which came with a 'MONSOON' system. That one was excellent, with a very rich and powerful warm sound.
Since listening to music is crucial for me, what are my options? I spoke to some of my friends, and they gave conflicting advice:
1) One said that the key issue is the head unit, the in-dash player itself. According to him, sound quality greatly depends on that; so I should look into getting an Alpine or Kenwood CD player.
2) Another (sales guy in a store) told me that the main problem is the speakers+amp. The head unit itself isn't the main issue, and I should really upgrade the speakers. He confirmed that many Toyota owners came to him complaining of a distorted and quiet sound.
As proof of his words, and an explanation for why Camry's sound is poor, he pointed out that the tweeters in a Camry are adjacent to the windshield (a very stupid location), whereas normally -- for a bright and 'close' sound -- they should be on the side doors, as they were in my VW-Passat.
3) Yet another option is to ask the dealership to install JBL for me. The JBL system comes standard with an XLE. But, the guy at my local dealership told me he's "never heard of anyone doing that for an LE" (I find it hard to believe that most people don't notice the bad stock sound, however). Will that be more cost/time-effective than other options?
Any comments, advice, or experience much appreciated. Thanks
If you really want to replace it, I would start by purchasing some good quality speakers. However, if you are looking to achieve some great results, I would replace the whole system.
Me, personally, I'm not in the car enough to warrant such an expense. I'll deal with it, but Toyota needs to step it up.
F
Katie
The JBL stereo does not come standard. I have the JBL stereo in my car and is is soooooooo much better than the standard stereo. I like loud music and a lot of bass, so the JBL stereo definitely rocks.
Sit in two camrys with the regular and upgraded stereos, you'll be able to tell the difference. lol.
It is a shame that so much effort is required to get SAT radio installed into a unit that is "sat ready". I had bought a kit and when I found out that you had to take half the car apart to install it, I opted out and sold the kit. I now have my XM plugged into the power port behind that little door, and all the extra wire stuffed in there. The sat attenae wire does run up the front and sits on the front dashboard. Not pretty, but it works just fine. A side benefit is that it takes 20 seconds to remove it and use in another car when if we travel or whatever.
Not only does it look much better when using this antenna, it saves on amount of labor required at the dealer when you get Sirius or XM.
Is this happening with 2009 Camry also?
If not, what is the cleanest and neatest XM exterior antenna install you can get on a 2009 Camry with JBL?
What are people actually paying (total cost with labor)?
Is the dealer the best or only place to get XM fully compatible with the factory JBL stereo installed?
Anybody can help me
As for the Camry, i didn't have a chance to hear its JBL system, but in the Corolla, it was almost pure musical bliss even if it lacked a sub. The music was so much cleaner and more pure, and the separation/sound-stage was almost PERFECT !!!
I'm not sure what to do. If I put my old system back in, then i wasted a lot of money and don't have sirius.
a) should I put the old Toyota radio back in and then get Sirius via an FM modulator? Will that still require an aux. jack?
b) I also would like to listen to my iPod in the car. What should I do?
c) I was thinking of installing a fancier Toyota factory system like the one from the Camry XLE with the CD changer so that I could have an aux jack. Is that a realistic idea?
Has anyone else had trouble with the volume on the Ipod when running it through the Aux input?
Would suggest isolating the problem, by trying a different cable, and a different ipod. Make sure you are using the right cable, check closely the plugs on the end, that they have the correct number of metal partitions (each one is for a different internal wire), and that the diameter is correct.
The plug on both end of the cable, should look exactly like the regular ipod earphone jack.
The 20A fuse is connected to a buss which gets it's power from the fusible link block up in the engine compartment, thru the main 3watt fuse. That is connected to the battery.
The 7.5A fuse, gets it's power from the ignition switch when turned to accessory or ignition position. So this power is expected to get turned off. Doubt this would be a problem area for you.
You should check the 20 Amp fuse, and might also want to check for corrosion and continuity on the fuse buss...although I would think you would have other problems if the fuse buss was a problem.
If those fuses turn out okay, then I would check that the voltage at the 20A fuse is at least 13Volts.You may have corrosion in a cable or connector somewhere which is dropping the voltage too low.
If all of those check out, then your radio might itself be the problem. Personally, I'd hang a voltmeter off of the 20A power feed at the radio and watch it carefully when it fails, before I'd run out and replace the radio. If the voltage stays up at the correct voltage and you loose the stations (from the power dropping on the radio#2 fuse as it should), then the radio would be the problem. If the voltage off the power feed drops too low, then you need to back up thru the circuitry to measure where you are dropping the voltage.
You should also recheck your battery voltage with a digital voltmeter, just to make sure it's up where it should be.
Good luck.
Some of the posts at the other site suggest that JBL is not producing much quality these days. I don't know enough to comment, but if the Camry systems are any indication, that assessment is correct. You might try pushing all the sound to the front speakers to see if you like that any better, and maybe jack up the treble to +2. Shouldn't have to add much if any bass. Good luck, but I fear we're screwed here. A nice car with crap sound. How sad is that. http://www.camryforums.com/m_10578/tm.htm
Thanks
ratae
However, I have looked and looked online and can't find out the steps to take apart the dash to get into the head-unit area. I found a couple of sites for similar cars, but I'm really hoping to find step-by-step instructions for a beginner like me - without having to pay anything. Any ideas?
Thanks.
I replaced radios all the time on late 90 Camrys and it sounds like the procedures are the same.
Use a screwdriver with tape covering the tip and pry up on the edge of the plastic trim around the back edge of the console gear shiter, left and right side. Then work around the rest of the piece until it comes out completely pops up. Next remove the 4 bolts that hold the radio in place. You need a 10mm size socket with a ratchet or a Phillips screw driver will work if you press hard.
Let me know if this is good info or not. When I see a 2004 I'll know if this info is the same for a 97 removal.
Id would buy a cheap voltmeter from Radio Shack, $4.00. Hook it up to the wires one at a time and go through the positions on the ignition key, and the power from the interior light fuse for the lights on the radio.
Car volts are not harmful you can put your hands on the battery post, Neg. and Pos. and you won't get shocked.
I have a spare radio but haven't trouble finding the right connector for it so I can use it in my old car, and wire it up to the the wires that are there.