Prius aux jack replacement

How I replaced the aux jack in my Gen 2 Prius and added Bluetooth sound in two minutes using only one tool

I own a 2008 Prius, generation 2 model, and it’s a great car except that it has long suffered from a common issue, which is that the car stopped sensing when something was plugged into the auxiliary jack. Pushing the aux button on the radio did nothing, and the option to switch to auxiliary sound did not even appear on the audio screen, because it’s programmed to appear only when a sound source is plugged in. There’s a technical reason why this part wears out, and it is apparently something you can repair if you have the time and initiative and the ability to solder small parts, but that was beyond my ambition at this time, so I came up with a simpler solution: buy a new, cheap audio jack (much less than the $130+ for the OEM model, part number 86190-06010, from the dealer–it also works with many other vehicles; see list at the end) and install it myself.

Watching videos on YouTube and reading instructions meant that I was still going to have to take apart the center console (or so I thought at the time), and I started that process, removing eight different screws before realizing that there were some recessed bolts (hidden in the bottom of the console under a piece of fabric lining) that would require a ratchet to remove. But then I looked at the replacement aux port itself and realized that it should be removable without taking the entire console apart. And I was right. I grabbed an awl and had the thing out in less than a minute, and it conveniently pulled the attached cord along with it.

To do this, you can use a sharp tool like an awl or any thin tool (a small knife or a slim screwdriver would also work), insert it along the top edge above the audio jack (look at the replacement part if you need to check the dimensions or see what the edge looks like), and just press it down slightly and then pull it out. It worked for me quite easily on my very first try.

Once you pull out the old, broken jack, you can’t simply pull off the sound cable. There is a very thin clip at the bottom that serves to make sure the cable never falls off, which makes sense because this is a part that is not meant to ever need replacing. To see what I mean, turn the jack sideways and there is a flat flange on the bottom of the sound cable that hooks into the back of the aux jack. Push that lightly and the cable will pop right off. Be careful that the cable doesn’t disappear back into the hole, though! Mine was under some tension and it was almost pulled back through and under the console out of easy reach.

Once that was off, it was as simple as pushing it onto the new aux port and then feeding the cable back into the hole in the console, followed by the rear of the replacement audio jack, and snapping it gently into place. The sound worked again immediately without any problem as soon as I started the car–no need to reprogram the radio or anything like that!

To add Bluetooth audio capability, I bought a bluetooth audio receiver that plugs into a cigarette lighter hidden inside the console, and then attaches to the auxiliary audio port. I made sure to get one with a ground loop noise isolator, because my car has always had the issue of a buzzing noise in the background if I am charging the phone and using the aux jack for audio at the same time. The ground loop will prevent that buzzing noise. As a bonus, the bluetooth receiver comes with a magnetic button to allow easy hands-free Bluetooth phone conversations.

Additional info from Amazon, not verified by me: This same audio jack was used in many different Toyota models and it says that this will also work to replace the same part on the following vehicles (the location of the original audio aux jack may vary for the rest of these, so I can’t say whether the replacement will be as easy as it was for me, just that the manufacturer claims the part will work with these vehicles): 2005-2009 Toyota 4Runner, 2006-2008 Toyota RAV4, 2007-2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2005-2009 Toyota Prius, 2007-2010 Toyota Camry, 2007-2010 Lexus ES350, 2008-2009 Toyota Yaris, 2007-2012 Lexus LS460

2 thoughts on “How I replaced the aux jack in my Gen 2 Prius and added Bluetooth sound in two minutes using only one tool

  1. Bex

    This was exactly what I was looking for- thank you for linking the part, and the instructions. I had been using my Bluetooth speaker in my car for a few months and it took me less than 10 minutes to change the part out, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to have my speakers back, and not have to take my whole console apart!

    Reply

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