Pioneer DMH-C5500NEX Issue

Hi all - I just completed installing this radio in my 3rd gen last weekend. Using the Maestro RR and overall programming/ etc. went fine… all my controls, camera, audio etc. are working as expected. The only thing I am experiencing is very random… every 1-2 days when I to start the truck the Pioneer screen will stay black and the capacitive buttons flash red. The only way to resolve is to turn the truck off completely, wait for the flashing to stop and then restart the truck at which point everything is fine. I can’t find anything on the pioneer site about what this is trying to tell me. I’m planning to call them today but thought I would see if anyone has had similar issues and what I should be looking at - possibly a maestro issue?

I have tried to update the radio firmware but it refuses to read a formatted usb stick, having odd issues with that as well where every time I put a flash drive in the USB port it seems to add files to the drive.

Thanks in advance.

 

Can’t help with the flashing, but what format is your USB stick. I know my KENWOOD wants FAT32 format or updates won’t work.

 

Thanks, I did reformat it this morning to fat32 just in case and got same results.

I also found some info online in another forum about the update error that suggests it might be because I don’t have the brake wired. I grounded the wire but apparently that’s not enough. It could also be related to screen flashing issue, not sure yet. I am waiting to hear back from Pioneer on it too.

I have no need to watch videos in the car but I will wire up the brake and see if either/both issues are resolved. Thanks again!

 

Thought I would update in the event anyone else is having similar issues in the future. Installing the parking brake bypass seems to have resolved both problems. I assume the screen flashing issue was related to me grounding the brake cable, but so far no repeat of it since I installed bypass. I could be the firmware that also fixed it but I think it was likely the bypass install.

 

Nothing like a free fix. Took some time, but costs zip. Nice! @Empty Fish

 

I’m thinking at buying the same unit. What bezel did you use? I’m looking for a flush mount look.

 

I would be embarrassed to post what it looks like right now, I didn't address the bezel like most people here do. I mounted using the factory brackets with two custom holes (the very popular post on this radio here has instructions) and with the stock bezel on my TRD Sport I am probably the only person in my family who notices the gap. Everyone here would likely throw tomatoes. Seriously - the gap is so small it would barely register for average person... it is definitely there, though.

Also - the screen flashing problem as it turns out never fully went away for me. I can go weeks without an issue and then suddenly one time I start the truck and I get flashing red buttons. Every time I just restart after waiting for the power to go out - restart the truck and it works fine. Pioneer never replied to me - I ended up calling the iDatalink support line and they agreed it was likely a bad head unit/screen connection. I am considering moving to another radio brand, maybe Kenwood as it supposedly has the highest feature compatibility with the Tacoma. This one hasn't had a firmware update since 2019 and now with iOS16 I am getting random disconnects on CarPlay.