2001 Toyota Highlander Radio help needed please.

OK so we live in Pasadena Texas where it rains 10 inches in 2 hours and I
woke up one hour too late. Our driveway is pretty steep from house level
down to street level and the highlander was second in the driveway which
leaves it closest to the street. When I woke up the water was already high
but with the angle of the driveway the front end of the Highlander was high
and dry. The back end was what was in trouble. I opened the front door which
was still above water level only to find the rear floor boards were wet to
the touch. I started it up and drove it into the neighbors yard where it was
level and well above the flood waters.

Once the rain stopped I started working on it. It seems that all the little
rubber plugs they put in the bottom of cars are not water tight and as the
water came up they allowed water to enter the floor of the car. The spare
tire wheel well had the most as it was lowest due to angle of the driveway.
Then the rear seat floor boards had about a 1/2 inch of water above the
carpet which quickly dispersed throughout the car once I got it up on level
ground.

Bottom line is the carpet was wet. Seats were dry, no water on doors, no
water on the dash, no water anywhere but on the floor. I worked my way
through college in a body shop and know all to well how to remove seats and
carpets so just as soon as the rain stopped the entire interior came out so
we could get the carpet out and allow the carpet to dry.

I was very surprised to find so many cables under the carpet some of which
wired up to a silver box located a couple of inches above the deck just
behind the rear seat. It says JBL on it and some inquiries tell me it is the
amplifier for the fancy radio that comes in the Highlander.

Here is the part where I get to my questions now that I have explained the
circumstances and extent of the water level. Everything works just like
before the rain with the exception of the stereo. left and right front
speakers just pop and buzz and the rear ones play music but not very strong
and with poor quality.

I'm like 99.99999% sure the amplifier never got wet. The carpet got wet but
amplifier sits well above carpet level. But for sure the cables between the
head unit in the dash and the amplifier which run under the carpet were well
soaked and when I started up the Highlander to move it to higher ground the
stereo was on. Do you think that is when the damage was done? Do you think
it is just the amp or could the head unit be bad as well?

The dealer can't explain it but there is a different amp if you have leather
seat as compared to cloth seats. One part number for cloth. One part number
for leather. Does anyone know the difference? the dealer doesn't.

They want $1100.00 for a new amp which is an expensive parts swapping
expense especially if it isn't really bad. Remember I'm darn sure it never
got wet. Is there any place that will check these amplifiers out and verify
it is bad before replacing it?

Has anyone got any ideas?

I've called a couple of dealers and got some pretty silly information. For
example one told me it is their policy to replace all seatbelts and seatbelt
tensioners. I ask why as they never got wet? Their response was there was
moisture in the car and you don't want to take a chance on seat belts. They
also said the replace the amplifier without question. I ask do they check it
before changing it and the answer was no. They told me they always replace
all the speakers. I said but they never got wet. Their answer was it is just
their policy. This entire exchange and I heard similar from several dealers
makes me think flood damage repair is a racket. Most people have insurance
and if insurance will pay for it the dealers are going to run up the bill.

So I'm thinking since I've done most of the work already I'm on the right
track. I just need to find some help on the radio. Any and all input is
greatly appreciated and I'd like to extend my thanks in advance to anyone
who takes the time to reply to this post.

I've got all the carpet clean and dry and ready to go back in the car. If it
wasn't for the radio problem this would only be a bad experience. But the
radio is trying to make it a darned expensive bad experience.

"Dan Ward" <danward2318@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:QXnmg.70323$4L1.58187@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...[color=blue]
> OK so we live in Pasadena Texas where it rains 10 inches in 2 hours and I
> woke up one hour too late. Our driveway is pretty steep from house level
> down to street level and the highlander was second in the driveway which
> leaves it closest to the street. When I woke up the water was already high
> but with the angle of the driveway the front end of the Highlander was
> high and dry. The back end was what was in trouble. I opened the front
> door which was still above water level only to find the rear floor boards
> were wet to the touch. I started it up and drove it into the neighbors
> yard where it was level and well above the flood waters.
>
> Once the rain stopped I started working on it. It seems that all the
> little rubber plugs they put in the bottom of cars are not water tight and
> as the water came up they allowed water to enter the floor of the car. The
> spare tire wheel well had the most as it was lowest due to angle of the
> driveway. Then the rear seat floor boards had about a 1/2 inch of water
> above the carpet which quickly dispersed throughout the car once I got it
> up on level ground.
>
> Bottom line is the carpet was wet. Seats were dry, no water on doors, no
> water on the dash, no water anywhere but on the floor. I worked my way
> through college in a body shop and know all to well how to remove seats
> and carpets so just as soon as the rain stopped the entire interior came
> out so we could get the carpet out and allow the carpet to dry.
>
> I was very surprised to find so many cables under the carpet some of which
> wired up to a silver box located a couple of inches above the deck just
> behind the rear seat. It says JBL on it and some inquiries tell me it is
> the amplifier for the fancy radio that comes in the Highlander.
>
> Here is the part where I get to my questions now that I have explained the
> circumstances and extent of the water level. Everything works just like
> before the rain with the exception of the stereo. left and right front
> speakers just pop and buzz and the rear ones play music but not very
> strong and with poor quality.
>
> I'm like 99.99999% sure the amplifier never got wet. The carpet got wet
> but amplifier sits well above carpet level. But for sure the cables
> between the head unit in the dash and the amplifier which run under the
> carpet were well soaked and when I started up the Highlander to move it to
> higher ground the stereo was on. Do you think that is when the damage was
> done? Do you think it is just the amp or could the head unit be bad as
> well?
>
> The dealer can't explain it but there is a different amp if you have
> leather seat as compared to cloth seats. One part number for cloth. One
> part number for leather. Does anyone know the difference? the dealer
> doesn't.
>
> They want $1100.00 for a new amp which is an expensive parts swapping
> expense especially if it isn't really bad. Remember I'm darn sure it never
> got wet. Is there any place that will check these amplifiers out and
> verify it is bad before replacing it?
>
> Has anyone got any ideas?[/color]

If any connecters in the wire looms got wet, something may have shorted.

Also, make sure that the speaker cones are not wet.

United Radio in New York is Toyota's warranty repair facility. They also do
retail customer pay work. I'd bet that they can check out the amplifier
and/or radio for a nominal charge.
[color=blue]
>
> I've called a couple of dealers and got some pretty silly information. For
> example one told me it is their policy to replace all seatbelts and
> seatbelt tensioners. I ask why as they never got wet? Their response was
> there was moisture in the car and you don't want to take a chance on seat
> belts. They also said the replace the amplifier without question. I ask do
> they check it before changing it and the answer was no. They told me they
> always replace all the speakers. I said but they never got wet. Their
> answer was it is just their policy. This entire exchange and I heard
> similar from several dealers makes me think flood damage repair is a
> racket. Most people have insurance and if insurance will pay for it the
> dealers are going to run up the bill.
>
> So I'm thinking since I've done most of the work already I'm on the right
> track. I just need to find some help on the radio. Any and all input is
> greatly appreciated and I'd like to extend my thanks in advance to anyone
> who takes the time to reply to this post.
>
> I've got all the carpet clean and dry and ready to go back in the car. If
> it wasn't for the radio problem this would only be a bad experience. But
> the radio is trying to make it a darned expensive bad experience.
>
>[/color]

I would immediately change the fluids on any drivetrain components that were
submerged or even partially submerged, like differentials and transmission,
and as cheap "insurance," also change the engine oil. Make sure that the CV
joint boots are not holding water.

The reason that the dealership replaces the seat belt assemblies is that
some rely on a pendulum or centrifugal device to lock the retractors, and
any time spent in an ultra-humid environment could keep them from locking up
in a crash. I would suspect that insurance covers flood damage most of the
time so owners do not object to having stuff replaced just for good measure.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Dan Ward" <danward2318@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:QXnmg.70323$4L1.58187@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...[color=blue]
> OK so we live in Pasadena Texas where it rains 10 inches in 2 hours and I
> woke up one hour too late. Our driveway is pretty steep from house level
> down to street level and the highlander was second in the driveway which
> leaves it closest to the street. When I woke up the water was already high
> but with the angle of the driveway the front end of the Highlander was
> high and dry. The back end was what was in trouble. I opened the front
> door which was still above water level only to find the rear floor boards
> were wet to the touch. I started it up and drove it into the neighbors
> yard where it was level and well above the flood waters.
>
> Once the rain stopped I started working on it. It seems that all the
> little rubber plugs they put in the bottom of cars are not water tight and
> as the water came up they allowed water to enter the floor of the car. The
> spare tire wheel well had the most as it was lowest due to angle of the
> driveway. Then the rear seat floor boards had about a 1/2 inch of water
> above the carpet which quickly dispersed throughout the car once I got it
> up on level ground.
>
> Bottom line is the carpet was wet. Seats were dry, no water on doors, no
> water on the dash, no water anywhere but on the floor. I worked my way
> through college in a body shop and know all to well how to remove seats
> and carpets so just as soon as the rain stopped the entire interior came
> out so we could get the carpet out and allow the carpet to dry.
>
> I was very surprised to find so many cables under the carpet some of which
> wired up to a silver box located a couple of inches above the deck just
> behind the rear seat. It says JBL on it and some inquiries tell me it is
> the amplifier for the fancy radio that comes in the Highlander.
>
> Here is the part where I get to my questions now that I have explained the
> circumstances and extent of the water level. Everything works just like
> before the rain with the exception of the stereo. left and right front
> speakers just pop and buzz and the rear ones play music but not very
> strong and with poor quality.
>
> I'm like 99.99999% sure the amplifier never got wet. The carpet got wet
> but amplifier sits well above carpet level. But for sure the cables
> between the head unit in the dash and the amplifier which run under the
> carpet were well soaked and when I started up the Highlander to move it to
> higher ground the stereo was on. Do you think that is when the damage was
> done? Do you think it is just the amp or could the head unit be bad as
> well?
>
> The dealer can't explain it but there is a different amp if you have
> leather seat as compared to cloth seats. One part number for cloth. One
> part number for leather. Does anyone know the difference? the dealer
> doesn't.
>
> They want $1100.00 for a new amp which is an expensive parts swapping
> expense especially if it isn't really bad. Remember I'm darn sure it never
> got wet. Is there any place that will check these amplifiers out and
> verify it is bad before replacing it?
>
> Has anyone got any ideas?
>
> I've called a couple of dealers and got some pretty silly information. For
> example one told me it is their policy to replace all seatbelts and
> seatbelt tensioners. I ask why as they never got wet? Their response was
> there was moisture in the car and you don't want to take a chance on seat
> belts. They also said the replace the amplifier without question. I ask do
> they check it before changing it and the answer was no. They told me they
> always replace all the speakers. I said but they never got wet. Their
> answer was it is just their policy. This entire exchange and I heard
> similar from several dealers makes me think flood damage repair is a
> racket. Most people have insurance and if insurance will pay for it the
> dealers are going to run up the bill.
>
> So I'm thinking since I've done most of the work already I'm on the right
> track. I just need to find some help on the radio. Any and all input is
> greatly appreciated and I'd like to extend my thanks in advance to anyone
> who takes the time to reply to this post.
>
> I've got all the carpet clean and dry and ready to go back in the car. If
> it wasn't for the radio problem this would only be a bad experience. But
> the radio is trying to make it a darned expensive bad experience.[/color]

Ray's suggestion about United was a good one. I had forgotten about them.
I don't think they'll charge a lot to test the system, and at $1100 for a
JBL amp it is well worth it!

However, for that same $1100, you can put one HELL of an aftermarket system,
complete with subs, amps, and a new head unit.
And, you can probably upgrade from those JBL speakers, to boot. If you do
the work yourself it will take a Saturday afternoon and prbably less than
$900. Shoot, you can even throw in a couple sets of MB Quarts or something
good and get some REAL sound!

I'd first check the leads to the speakers to make sure they're dry and not
shorting, and pop the top off the amplifier and spray the radio's chassis
thoroughly with canned compressed air, and then follow up drying it with a
hair dryer (set only at tepid warmth!) Then try the radio again.

On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 14:43:39 -0700, mack wrote:
[color=blue]
> I'd first check the leads to the speakers to make sure they're dry and not
> shorting, and pop the top off the amplifier and spray the radio's chassis
> thoroughly with canned compressed air, and then follow up drying it with a
> hair dryer (set only at tepid warmth!) Then try the radio again.[/color]

Yeah, that too, but that takes all the fun out of looking for a new
system, listening to so many thump boxes you have a headache, wearing out
the stripe on the Master Card, and then spending a weekend fitting,
cutting, modifying, making 15 trips to Wal-Mart and Radio Shack and then
BLOWING YOU WINDOWS OUT when it's finished!

Or, you could just pay somebody. Might as well just fix the amp...

I would think some connectors for the audio system must have got wet. If your lucky maybe they are still wet and that's the
problem.
If your not lucky and something is damaged try a local shop that does repair work on that type of electronics.

Good Luck

Look for an amp in the wreckers. A friens had radio/cb problems with his
Motorcycle system after getting caught in the rain. ONE of the connectors
was filled with water