aurion not starting

[Mikstylo]

Hi All,

Long time lurker, first time posting. I have MY13 Aurion Presara. I wanted to get my head unit replaced with one of the newer Android head unit. A while back I purchased a JVC head unit, along with Aerpro connectors to retain steer wheel controls, reverse video, antenna etc. I looked around and couldnt find anyone reliable on Air Tasker so decided to go to SCA for fitting the unit. I had also purchased all the other stuff from SCA, so all good.

I go to SCA - Blacktown to get this fitted. SCA uses contractors for such jobs. Lets call this guy, Andy. I meet him and he looks at my car. Tells me that my car probably has an amp also and might need some adjustment to get it working even with Aerpro connectors. I had read somewhere that Presara does have an amp, so acknowledged it. He opens up the dash, pulls out the OEM unit, attaches the JVC using the connectors i had bought. WE turn ON power, JVC boots but no noise from speakers. Andy tells me that the car probably has an amp and he has to figure out a way to turn it ON along with the headunit. He tried to connect some cable from the car side of wires to the headunit by passing the connectors. He used a spare audio cable wire for this. He tried a bunch of things when he was trying to get this working. Including getting in to the fuse box on the front passenger side bottom. He finally gave up after 1.5-2 hours and tells me that he has to do more research and talk to buddies who do this and figure out how this will work. I was okay with it and give him more time. He put everything back together, we turn ON ignition but the audio doesnt come ON, nor does the clock. Andy checks some fuse, it was blown. He replaces the fuse, we turn on ignition and this time the clock is working, the audio comes ON. Next we try to start the car and nothing.

The Symptom is that the ignition comes on - all lights on dashboard working. Nothing unusual with display, no warnings. Key has been detected but when i press 'Start' to start the car, nothing happens. It doesnt crank, no noise. He does check the battery, all fuses etc. Everything looks good. We try again with jumper cables connected but again same thing. Nothing - no noise. At this point i decided to call NRMA. NRMA guy checks battery, all fuses etc. Doesnt find anything else wrong and tells me that it could be the starter or the immobiliser. Andy agrees with the NRMA guy because he doesnt want anything to do with this. NRMA guy suggest that i tow it to the dealership as the key will need to be reprogrammed. I did not buy this and tell him that i will tow it to my mechanic. NRMA guy suggest getting the spare Aurion key to try and see if it starts. I did have a spare at home and my wife gets the second key. We try starting it with the spare key. Same thing.

I get it towed to my mechanic, he connected the 'scanner' and found the code U0120. My mechanic said he will have to ask his buddies. He confirmed that it is not the starter or the immobiliser. Can some one please suggest what i should do next? also, can some one comment whose responsibility is this?

Thanks,

Miks

[KAA]

WOW Miks, Firstly good to hear from you, I would suggest that SCA is the responsible party as they are the company you went to for fitting of the unit even though they placed it in the hands of a contractor "ANDY". It sounds like a complete stuff up from the word go. He should never have taken on the job by the sounds of it, from what you described he seems to have bypassed something while stuffing around with the wiring I would get a better opinion from a specialist. I used Monster Car Audio when we had our Presara's head-unit replaced, so perhaps a few call's to one's that specialize in fitting head units I heard from someone there is a company called Extreme Car Audio or similar name in the Blacktown area that is pretty good. I honestly can't see how the job which is usually plug and play could have got so screwed up! I would start first with SCA and see what they are prepared to do for you, and then be prepared to take the matter further if no responsibility is forthcoming

Let us know how things are going mate and I am sure others will give their advise as well

KAA

Edited January 10, 2021 by KAA

[Tony Prodigy]

I concur with Robert. Old mate Andy doesn't sound like an experienced or competent person. This is why I don't trust anyone to work on my car. All the fiddling he did needs to be reversed and It should fire back up, unless he has caused damage to the ECU for example. That's a long shot, but anything is possible when hacks like this are let loose. 

I also shop at the same SCA. I've found them to be pretty helpful. You should be talking to them about any out of pocket expenses to recover the vehicles electronics. It's a damn shame. 

 

[Mikstylo]

14 hours ago, KAA said:

WOW Miks, Firstly good to hear from you, I would suggest that SCA is the responsible party as they are the company you went to for fitting of the unit even though they placed it in the hands of a contractor "ANDY". It sounds like a complete stuff up from the word go. He should never have taken on the job by the sounds of it, from what you described he seems to have bypassed something while stuffing around with the wiring I would get a better opinion from a specialist. I used Monster Car Audio when we had our Presara's head-unit replaced, so perhaps a few call's to one's that specialize in fitting head units I heard from someone there is a company called Extreme Car Audio or similar name in the Blacktown area that is pretty good. I honestly can't see how the job which is usually plug and play could have got so screwed up! I would start first with SCA and see what they are prepared to do for you, and then be prepared to take the matter further if no responsibility is forthcoming

Let us know how things are going mate and I am sure others will give their advise as well

KAA

Thanks, KAA. Planning to talk to SCA today. Will keep you updated.

[Mikstylo]

Hi All,

Anyway i can get more information about error code U0120? My mechanic is a trusted guy has worked at mutiple dealship etc. But he doesnt know where to start looking to get this working. Can i go to Toyota for more info on the error code? 

Cheers, Miks

[Tony Prodigy]

43 minutes ago, Mikstylo said:

Hi All,

Anyway i can get more information about error code U0120? My mechanic is a trusted guy has worked at mutiple dealship etc. But he doesnt know where to start looking to get this working. Can i go to Toyota for more info on the error code? 

Cheers, Miks

Not sure what "Andy" has done, but if he has disconnected plugs here or there, get your mechanic to go over the areas where Andy put his hands. He may not have plugged a connector back correctly. The fault code you mention is loss of communication with starter control. I googled this.

If all the fuses have been checked and ok, then I would be focusing on the connectors.

[campbeam]

Usual starting point for me is a Google search of the specific error code. 

https://www.obd-codes.com/u0120#:~:text=This code means that the,or simply put%2C CAN bus. 

[Tony Prodigy]

Is it possible Andy disconnected a ground wire by mistake ??

It's difficult to say without seeing the car, but get your mechanic to check every place Andy was.

[Mikstylo]

@Tony Prodigy , @campbeam, Thanks a lot for your advice. Also, appreciate the error code list. Will ask my mechanic to check.

[Tony Prodigy]

8 minutes ago, Mikstylo said:

@Tony Prodigy , @campbeam, Thanks a lot for your advice. Also, appreciate the error code list. Will ask my mechanic to check.

Your welcome. I hope everything works out ok. Hold SCA accountable for the stuff up and inconvenience. Your car was fine before that guy put his hands on it. I'm surprised NRMA couldn't figure it out. They are supposed to be very well trained.

[campbeam]

Please let us know the end solution.

I reckon Tony has suggested the most likely causes with either a grounding wire or a poor electical connection. 

Good suggest for your mechanic to back track where that other person has been.

[AurionX2]

Man, what a mess. It's SCA fault, you took the car there to install the HU and they turned it into paperweight. A big one rather, still a paperweight. They should fix it and cover all costs, with or without the invaluable help of their mate Andy.

[Tony Prodigy]

3 minutes ago, AurionX2 said:

Man, what a mess. It's SCA fault, you took the car there to install the HU and they turned it into paperweight. A big one rather, still a paperweight. They should fix it and cover all costs, with or without the invaluable help of their mate Andy.

Yep. Fingers crossed Andy didn't short the ECU in his attempt to custom fit the new H.U. It was mentioned that several fuses had popped, so that's not encouraging from an install point of view. I don't think Andy has the experience quite sadly.

[L4WL3SS]

It's a headf**** trying to integrate factory amps with an aftermarket head unit if u don't have wiring diagrams for the particular car, or standard problem solving skills with a multimeter. This idiot shouldn't have gone near ur car, and sca better have there wallets open 😠

Edited January 13, 2021 by Metal_Head

[Tony Prodigy]

28 minutes ago, Metal_Head said:

This idiot shouldn't have gone near ur car, and sca better have there wallets open 😠

I'm sure SCA will have his back. There should be ramifications for the shoddy workmanship. You're not supposed to blow stuff trying to wire up a car stereo for God's sake. I feel very badly for you Miks. I'd be furious.

[Mikstylo]

Hi All, Thanks so much for your comments. Just wanted to give an update as to what happened. I took it to my trusted mechanic and he couldnt really find anything wrong. He suggested that the best people to be able to help would be Toyota Service Center as they have access to Toyota internal diagnostic tools.

I had my car towed from my mechanic to Toyota Center @ Blacktown. Of course, I had to pay for the towing. The Toyota guys had it with them for about 10 days and they got back to me saying that the Smart Key Access Electronic Control Module is the first thing that they would like to replace and then take it from there. He also mentioned that the wrong fuses were found to be plugged in wrong places. The SCA guy was definitely in the fuse box. Now, the ECM that needed to be replaced cost $1990 and is located in Japan and would need to be shipped here which would take 2-3 weeks.

I went ahead and okayed it. The part arrived after about 2 weeks. Once replaced, the car started fine. All in all, my car was gone for about 2 months. During this time, SCA offered me a rental. Also, all the other expense was out of my pocket. Currently working with SCA to get this reimbursed.

SCA has been pretty nice to deal with so far. The store manager at Blacktown, Andrew, was helpful all along. Just one of those things where life happens - i guess. 

Once again thanks everyone for your help and comments

Cheers,

mikstylo

[Tony Prodigy]

All I can say is wow mate. That is a horrendous situation. I would like to think that SCA wouldn't quibble about reimbursing you what it cost, after all it was under their supervision and they have a duty of care to their customers. All work should be guaranteed. You have consumer law on your side anyway. If you ever had to take it to NCAT, they'd be just as horrified as we all are and find in your favour immediately.

That SCA at Blacktown is also my local outlet. I shop there all the time and have found the service quite good.

I wouldn't worry though, SCA should be aware of their legal obligation in this case.

Thanks for updating us. I hope you find peace and joy from now on.

All the best 

[KAA]

Thanks for the update Miks, glad it has now finally been sorted out but what a hassle, As tony said SCA have a legal obligation to cover your costs, but as you have said they at least must be acknowledging that fact by supplying you a loan vehicle and working with you to recover the costs involved. I have never heard of that issue in any Aurion but like anything there is always one. Now it is fixed I hope your back to normal driving joy

KAA

[L4WL3SS]

Was it possible to source the part from a used aurion? 

Like I said.... Sca better have their wallets open, because If u take them to small claims court they will have extra expenses to reimburse u for

[nzzr6]

On 4/1/2021 at 11:51 AM, Mikstylo said:

Now, the ECM that needed to be replaced cost $1990 and is located in Japan and would need to be shipped here which would take 2-3 weeks.

wtf ! Remind me to never get a head unit fitted there 😲

[Tony Prodigy]

On 4/4/2021 at 11:09 AM, nzzr6 said:

wtf ! Remind me to never get a head unit fitted there 😲

Yeah I know. Terrible thing to happen. If I ever needed a head unit installed, I would certainly do my research and qualify the person/company doing it first.