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Actually never thought about this? So do you know the definite answer? I know a repair shop here the local Lexus sends the units to from the dealers. I'll ask if you don't.
I would be very surprised if the volume control or any variable control (e.g. tuning) used a resistive wiper type potentiometer. That's just so old school, even pre-solid state era.
I would be very surprised if the volume control or any variable control (e.g. tuning) used a resistive wiper type potentiometer. That's just so old school, even pre-solid state era.
I was attempting to be nice and humble with my response. I guess my form didn't achieve what I had intended.
I'll put it this way - it sure looks to me like a PCB mounted encoder controller (with a two-pin push On/Off circuit)!
Unlike inside a typical variable resistor potentiometer that has a moveable wiper that interacts with a resistive surface that can wear and get dirty over time and with use, an encoder doesn't have a surface that gets worn or dirty. Therefore, I don't think it'd be necessary nor wise to attempt to spray contact cleaner inside it or on it..
Last edited by bclexus; 08-12-22 at 06:33 AM.
Reason: grammar
Wow, just read this thread. Amazing. Are those problems still happening on the 2016 or newer models?
@websurfer - A stuck volume control **** (or tuning control ****) will continue happening as long as people pound, shove or depress the **** with way too much force. The problem is not the **** or the head unit equipment - the problem is careless, uncaring (probably emotional) people that pound on or shove the **** too hard!
@websurfer - A stuck volume control **** (or tuning control ****) will continue happening as long as people pound, shove or depress the **** with way too much force. The problem is not the **** or the head unit equipment - the problem is careless, uncaring (probably emotional) people that pound on or shove the **** too hard!
Exactly that's what I was trying to explain to people earlier. BC is 100% correct and thanks for providing the pictures. This is not a problem with the head unit, it's excessive force pushing the ****, some people I guess don't realize how hard they hit the ****. I've had head units from 4 different years, every iteration/improvement with the system on the 4GS, never had this issue.
I was attempting to be nice and humble with my response. I guess my form didn't achieve what I had intended.
I'll put it this way - it sure looks to me like a PCB mounted encoder controller (with a two-pin push On/Off circuit)!
Unlike inside a typical variable resistor potentiometer that has a moveable wiper that interacts with a resistive surface that can wear and get dirty over time and with use, an encoder doesn't have a surface that gets worn or dirty. Therefore, I don't think it'd be necessary nor wise to attempt to spray contact cleaner inside it or on it..
The answer is - That radio volume control is a rotary encoder controller. There are 2 different types. The ones used in this and most others for volume in simple car radio head units are encoders, but they are the simple contacting rotary type. It does have simple metal contacts that can contaminate and can be cleaned with the correct spray cleaners, and/or disassembled and cleaned, or sprayed as preventative to inhibit build up in the 1st place. They are not air and water tight. These are volume, not like a the optical ones used on a computer mouse. There are optical and, there are mechanical encoders. This one is a simple contacting mechanical for volume and power. They can become erratic in time especially controlling the volume.
On a 2nd note in my 1st post, I said that being heavy handed on the control both in and out, and side to side was likely the cause on 99% of the problems here in the 1st place. Also that it would be the best to prevent the problem in the 1st place.
Last edited by jgscott; 08-12-22 at 08:24 PM.
Reason: Sp
Because of this forum, I do not turn off my radio at all. I will mute it if I do not want to hear anything. In a way, I wonder without using the on/off button on a regular basis, if that would possibly make this button more likely to stick. I am not risky enough to find out, but I appreciate BCLexus and of course Peasodos for always being helpful with solutions.
Because of this forum, I do not turn off my radio at all. I will mute it if I do not want to hear anything. In a way, I wonder without using the on/off button on a regular basis, if that would possibly make this button more likely to stick. I am not risky enough to find out, but I appreciate BCLexus and of course Peasodos for always being helpful with solutions.
same here.
Although if it does get stuck, I'm tempted to swap everything over to a 2018+ unit haha
Because of this forum, I do not turn off my radio at all. I will mute it if I do not want to hear anything. In a way, I wonder without using the on/off button on a regular basis, if that would possibly make this button more likely to stick. I am not risky enough to find out, but I appreciate BCLexus and of course Peasodos for always being helpful with solutions.
Lol.... I have a 2015 F-sport @ 85K miles with ML, and I turn it on and off no problem, but I make sure to... press the button, /gently/ and my radio **** has been just fine.
08-11-22, 02:09 PM
