Expert: Cleggsan - 5/3/2010

Question
Hello.  I asked this question to another expert but did not notice that they did not have cars in their description and you did.  I have a 2008 scion xB.  The other day I was driving around normally and heard a strange sound from my radio... kind of like a UFO was descending...like someone tuning in and out of an old time radio that had knobs for tuning.  Then the sound went out.  The radio still turns on, the CD loads and counts off the time, etc.  Could you possibly tell me what this could be?

Thank you!

~M.

Answer
Is this the Pioneer unit?  Different XBs use different systems.  Haven't seen the 08 unit but I am familiar with the 05/06 model.  In any event, it is most likely the power section has failed and needs repair.  Based on the description you gave it is likely to be an internal melt down at the output stage.  It could have been triggered by a speaker or speaker wire going short. Testing would be required.  

Suggest, in this case, you have a good install/repair shop look at it.  With luck maybe a reset will bring it back to life but I doubt it.

If you want to try a reset you can do this by lifting the connections to the battery (which kills power to the entire car) but if you do, check your owners manual to make sure you have the security code which is required when you apply power back to the radio (not all radios have a security code but many of the newer ones do; it is an anti-theft feature - only the owner has the ability to turn the radio back on and most thieves know which radios are secure and which are not.)

Your Scion car dealer is usually of no help unless they have an electronics tech on staff and very few of them do.

All the best.