POOR AM/FM Reception: WHY?

Posted by Scott Seely on August 6, 2010, 4:41 pm

Apparently quite a few 2010 Prius owners get very bad AM/FM reception.
Anyone had this problem? What is the fix? I suspect that the antenna
is not properly connected or that if there is an antenna amp, it is
defective. Ideas, anyone? My dealer switched radios in my car, and it
did nothing to help.

Posted by Daniel who wants to know on August 7, 2010, 11:42 pm

I've heard about it on the NHW20 but not the ZVW30 yet. The fix involves
dropping the headliner to remove the antenna and clean and dielectric grease
up the ground connection.

Posted by Scott Seely on August 10, 2010, 2:42 pm

Daniel who wants to know wrote:

Thanks. So far yours is my only reply. BTW, what is a ZVW30? Is that
the radio head designation?

Posted by Daniel who wants to know on August 10, 2010, 3:16 pm

No, NHW10, NHW11, NHW20, and ZVW30 are the 4 Prius model numbers. Look at
the sticker on your driver's door or door jamb (can't remember which) and it
will be listed. A common NHW20 one is NHW20-AHEEBA.

NHW10: 1998-2000, Japan only
NHW11: 2001-2003, worldwide compact 4 door sedan.
NHW20: 2004-2009, 5 door midsize hatchback
ZVW30: 2010-..., same as NHW20