Mp3 Text (title/track Info) With Vais Sl2i/sli In 2001 Gs300/gs430

[adipose]

After a ton of research I finally got text (title/track info) working in my mp3 audio with aftermarket vaistech SL2I for ipod.

The product is described here: http://www.vaistech.com/manuals/Manual_SL2i.pdf

As some of you may/may not know, the GS models did not get CD-text support until 2006: http://www.vaistech.com/manuals/Application_Guide.pdf

The guide clearly states that text is not available for GS models, but I found the following links of people getting text info:

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...&hl=my+ipod

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/lof...php/t28232.html

One is in France, the other in the UK. Both accomplished the text using the "MD Changer" emulation, and as MDs fully supported text long before CDs, Pioneer apparently added that feature to the radio. VAIS, however, never advertised the fact that the European GS300 supported MD Changer emulation mode and thus song info through the MD Text feature. My U.S. radio would not register the device as an MD changer.

I should point out that at this point I was fairly confident the feature was controlled through the radio head unit and not the screen. First, the CD Changer plugged in through the audio portion of the head unit (although the screen and radio are screwed together into a single unit along with the climate computer, they are separate pieces). Second, I was able to get the SL2I to register while I had the screen disconnected. Third, Pioneer sells units with LCDs which control all the audio peripherals, and the inner circuitry is very similar. It didn't seem like they would farm this off to the Denso screen manufacturers when they had implemented it themselves. I thus concluded that the ability to register the audio pieces was contained in the bottom unit and not the screen, but I couldn't be completely sure.

I began to search for stock radios that supported MD Changer. I could not find any information at all. Apparently, the feature never made it to the U.S. market. Since the MD Changer was never sold in the U.S., it was not surprising. So, I began to look for European radios. Unfortunately, no one anywhere was able to get me the part number. I paid $30 for a bundle of pdfs for Pioneer radios that had similar part numbers to mine. After looking through the manuals, I found a radio identical to mine with a few changes. For those who care, the part numbers are as follows:

The US Radio is a KEX-M9506zt (TPN: 86120-3A740) or KEX-M8506zt (TPN: 86120-3A582) depending on whether or not you have levinson (just the face plate differs, it seems).

The Euro radio is KEX-M8606zt (TPN: 86120-3A592) or KEX-M8706zt (TPN: 86120-3A602), depending on which way the face is oriented (left side driver or right side driver).

Obviously, the KEX-M8606zt would have been ideal. It would have fit in the same spot but had the MD Changer features. But, they are impossible to buy in the U.S., and one never showed up on ebay. I contacted a UK toyota dealer who was able to get me a price, but before shipping (and I don't know if he would have shipped to the U.S. anyway; I didn't tell him where I lived), the price amounted to nearly $2000 for the radio only.

I thus set out to change the radio myself. After comparing the two manuals, I noticed that there were two differences in the inner circuitry:

1). The U.S. radio contained FM diversity circuitry and a jack for an additional antenna, both of which did not exist on the Euro model. In case you are not aware, FM diversity uses two antennas to improve reception.

2). The main integrated circuit which appear to be the "brains" of the board had a different model number. The euro radio had a part called PD5580B, and the US radio had one called PD5579A.

These were the only two differences I could find after meticulous comparison. I hoped that the FM diversity circuitry would be independent of the main control chip, as it appeared to be. Thus I decided that the different chip could be the only reason for the difference, and that replacing it would get me my MD Text.

I found that on "partsearch" (http://bestbuy.partsearch.com/) one could order components to these radios. Unfortunately, although the PD5579A was available, the PD5580B was not. I eventually ordered a PD5580C, hoping it would work (even though it was not listed as compatible, it is identical to the naked eye, and appears to be a minor revision based on the model number). To this day I have not soldered this chip on as it has 100 pins and they are very close together. I am hoping to find someone who has the tools to do such detailed soldering. A friend of mine found someone who claimed to be able to do it, but so far has not come through.

After becoming impatient, I went over the manuals again, and found that the "main assembly" unit listed for the Euro radio could be purchased from partsearch. Unfortunately I would have to give up the FM diversity antenna as the main assembly contained the antenna structure. Also, it was about $250, much more than the $50 chip. However, on the plus side, the PD5580B chip was already soldered onto it, and I didn't have to worry about the 5580C being something else, possibly incompatible. The part number is:

Pioneer Main Control Assy:

CWM7088

This part took a lot longer to order, but I received it today. I replaced the main assembly on my radio with the Euro one, plugged one of my two antennas into the single antenna slot, and plugged in the two other jacks in the back (I have another antenna just hanging behind the radio now, but it does't cause any problems).

I fired it up, registered my SL2I as an MD Changer, and it worked perfectly! I can now see the playlist name, the track title, the artist, and the album title (have to press "disc rand" to switch between the different info).

A few notes:

1). The FM has several more options now that I didn't have before. Since I rarely use FM I am not sure which are new, but it appears to be possible to tag different stations with genre categories.

2). The AM does not say AM. It says MW and LW (it toggles if you hit AM). The MW (the default) can connect to AM stations. Presumably these refer to medium wave and long wave.

3). The FM radio does not sound worse than before, but I'm sure there are cases where it will. I don't really listen to the radio, so I don't mind.

4). The RDS system in Europe is slightly different than the U.S. Thus the station identification may be off: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rds However, I confirmed that the text identification of radio songs and artists still works. As for identifying a station as "Pop", etc., I wasn't really concerned.

The part is fairly easy to install but taking apart the radio can be a little tricky.

Be careful not to crack the plastic faceplate and slowly ease it off after releasing all tabs and the two screws that hold it.

Inside you must remove the tape deck's four screws and carefully lift it up.

The main assy is attached to the enclosure by one screw in the back of the unit (next to the antenna), two in the face of the circuit board, and two bent metal tabs. After removing these you can swap the main assy.

Reverse the instructions and you should be done.

I hope this info helps someone who feels like spending $250+ to add text to their 2001-2005 GS. It's certainly cheaper than buying a 2006 GS!

-Dan