Radio works only when headlights are on

[Ray in PA]

2018 Tacoma SR5. Odd problem here. The mid-level Entune radio seems to be working, in all sources, but only makes sound when the headlights are switched on, and the screen dims like for night time. Lights off, no sound. Lights on, plays great!
For $150, the dealer said they can’t find the problem. For $350 more, they’ll dig deeper. Yes, I have the Platinum Warranty, for a few more months. But, the dealer said that they won’t know if the warranty will cover the radio until AFTER I’ve paid them the $500, then they’ll ask Toyota
I spoke to Toyota HQ, and they gave me the run-around too.
I’ve suggested to the service desk at the dealer that it’s a safety issue, as the radio’s Bluetooth grabs my cell phone, but won’t work unless I turn on the headlights.

Has anyone else come across this problem?

 

[tacojoel]

Some radios use more than one 12 volt source, usually a separate one to supply a clock, lights, or power antenna. As far as these Toyotas, I never use the radio in my 2020 sr5, so idk, and I don't care. Have you checked all fuses related to the radio?....maybe a 12 volt source is missing. Other than that, remove the red wire from the post on your battery, and try a hard reset for a couple minutes before hooking the battery back up. You may loose memory for stuff like radio presets, or the time, but its worth a try if some bad electricity got in your radio causing the issue.

 

[billssr5]

check the settings on the radio or look into the owners manual, that sounds very strange situation you got there