is this problem with my car stereo fixable, and if so by whom

May 19, 2022 4:59 PM

I have an old Toyota. Do I take it to the dealership to fix a stereo problem? Or is there another kind of professional?

It's a JBL stereo. You choose between CD, FM, AM, AUX; there is a button for each one. AUX is what you use if you want to play music from a phone; the phone is plugged, with a cord, into an audio-in jack.

The problem is that sometimes the AUX button / setting won't work. I'll have the radio on; hit the AUX button; nothing will happen. Or, even more annoyingly, sometimes it'll just switch from AUX to FM spontaneously, while I was using the AUX to play the phone. (But sometimes the AUX works fine! And I'm sure when I take it in, it'll work fine that day!)

What kind of shop, if any, can I take my car to for a fix?

posted by fingersandtoes to Technology (5 answers total)

Best answer: As a very low effort first step try spraying contact cleaner into each button and mashing said button for 15-20 seconds. My old Yaris which was always filled with dust due to jobs I had experienced a similar problem and contact cleaner fixed it.
posted by Ferreous at 5:08 PM on May 19, 2022 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I think you could probably get this button unstuck. If not, you would look for a car audio repair shop, car stereo installer, something like that. Should be one near you. Best Buy does things like this, too, if you can't find a local place or small chain.
posted by michaelh at 5:17 PM on May 19, 2022 [3 favorites]

Compressed air is an option before and after contact cleaner too. When you mash the button, kind of roll it around and hit it from different angles, hold it down, click it repeatedly, have fun with it.
posted by SaltySalticid at 5:45 PM on May 19, 2022

Best answer: I've seen cars that won't allow the aux input to be selected unless they detect something is plugged in. I'd try a different cable before doing anything else.
posted by wierdo at 7:58 PM on May 19, 2022 [2 favorites]

Back on the day this happened to my 2009 Matrix with the factory stereo and Aux. I learned that it was a common defect, a weak point in the manufacturing. I solved it by buying an aftermarket car stereo with much nicer, newer features than the stock audio system and getting that installed. I think I bought the stereo and the faceplate that fit my dash online and Best Buy installed it.
posted by Sublimity at 4:30 AM on May 25, 2022