I have a 2010 RX450h that I don’t drive much so have ignored a situation that slowly gets worse. The audio system has a mind of its own. Specifically:
-it changes modes randomly
-sometimes frequently some trips not at all
-it changes radio stations within the radio mode and also band (AM FM)
-it ejects CDs (if I were to have any in)
-it seems worse in warm weather
-it seems to happen (sometimes, not always) when I hit a bump or make a sharp turn (inertial changes)
-no other systems(nav, etc) have problems.

The local dealer can’t figure it out and wants to make multi-thousand $ swap outs of various electronics systems as a self-serving diagnostic protocol.
Anybody have an insights/suggestions.

 

Take it to a local well-regarded independent car audio shop and let them do some diagnostics. I would check for loose connections to and inside the radio unit (although it is difficult to access)
I suspect your most economical repair may be to just replace it with a used unit. It also depends if you have Navigation or not.
Either eBay or http://www.rancholexusrecycling.com/
will have a used radio unit.

 

Cltchless is right about loose connection, but I fear it is in connector as the dealer most likely would have swapped the radio unit.

The sad part is intermittent failures are hard to locate. The serial communication protocol can go bonkers and the tentacles are spread all over.

Do you recall a repair which might have onset the problem? This would be the smoking gun and you need to go over every part/connector that was touched.

Salim

 

I agree sounds like a loose connection either in a plug or on the board itself. A good independent shop might be the best bet. The dealer will say let’s swap out the radios processor and hope for the best.

 

have this same issue on exactly the same car... 2010 450h... hit a bump and it shoots out all the cds and switches to radio mode... car has nav and factory rear entertainment system...

if anyone has a resolution please chime in...

 

I had the same issue and it was the battery in the trunk that needed to be replaced. I had the radio, cd player, satellite changing at will it was kind of spooky but I initially unplugged the battery and left it off for a few minutes and reattached and that seemed to solve the problem. It's in t he shop now for replacement.

james