2013 Scion FRS Radio Problem
 

Hey guys,

So this is a strange problem. My radio will light up to full brightness when the headlights are turned on, so all normal there. However now during the day it will also turn it's brightness up to full as if driving at night, which is annoying but not the end of the world. Another however, it will now turn off while braking... effectively not being back lit as it's supposed to be during the day. So the end result is you drive down the road during the day with the radio brightness at full and everytime you brake it dims, and out of the corner of your eye this things is just turning on and off.

Anyone heard of this before, or have any idea would could be the cause?

It's the stock upgraded pioneer unit the car came with.

That is a strange one. I don't have the fancy upgraded HU, just the cheap ol basic one but never seen that happen. First I suggest you try adjusting the brightness via the dial to the left of the steering column, turn that down and it should not be at full brightness anymore. Next I would check the voltage on your battery, it could be as simple as the battery nearing the end of its life and not able to provide that much juice.

Then I would take a gander through all the settings on your HU, not familiar with that one but it may be related to a setting for auto brightness.

Now something I would test, with the car running turn on the map light and then apply the brake. If you see that dim along with your HU then you know something is up with the voltage.

Best place to start with something like this is make the best guess you can at what could be the cause, then think of a way to test and rule that idea out. Eventually you should either figure it out or get enough info to provide for someone else to get more ideas to test.

Good luck buddy, hope you get it figured out. Worst case scenario, you gotta buy a new headunit.