Radio Removal And Vais Xm Install

[SOFAKING]

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A VAIS/XM UNIT AND WANT TO INSTALL IT IN A 2006 SC430. WHAT IS INVOLVED AND HOW DIFFICULT IS THE RADIO REMOVAL.

[rreich]

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A VAIS/XM UNIT AND WANT TO INSTALL IT IN A 2006 SC430. WHAT IS INVOLVED AND HOW DIFFICULT IS THE RADIO REMOVAL.

I installed the VAIS unit in my 2005 model, it took about an hour. The most time consuming portion is running cables and getting the equipment in place. I installed mine in the area under the glove compartment. It has been about 6 months since I performed the installation, so I am writing this from memory.

To remove radio, do the following:

1. Open center console and gently pull seat heater switch plate out which then will allow you to pull the plate covering the gear shift and the portion below the radio that includes the ashtray. Note: You will need to take gear shift out of the park position to get cover off. There are several wires that all have plugs that you will need to unplug to fully remove the gear cover.

2. Remove two 10mm bolts below radio.

3. Now grip the bottom portion of the climate control panel that is located above the radio with both hands and carefully rock it as you pull it towards you. Just like the gear shift cover, it is held in only with clips, no screws. Once you pull it out, you will have access to the two screws above the radio.

4. Remove 2 screws above radio and pull radio out.

5. Unplug connector on rear of radio and follow instructions that came with the VAIS unit.

NOTE: The Lexus service manual always advises removing the negative battery terminal before removing anything from the dash. This is to avoid accidentally triggering the airbags. If you choose to do this, you will lose all the saved memory locations in your GPS and you will also need to re-set the limits on both your power seats in order to get the seat memory feature to work. This is explained in the owners manual.

Good luck! BTW, the VAIS unit works well and sounds great.

[SOFAKING]

THANKS FOR THE INFO: IS THERE A TRICK TO THE REMOVAL OF THE SEAT HEATER SWITCH PLATE. DID YOU PULL IT UP OR FOWARD. WHERE ANY TOOLS REQUIRED TO GET IT OUT? DID YOU DISCONNECT THE BATTERY? DID YOU CONNECT ANYTHING TO THE AUX ON THE VAIS UNIT? ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER YOU CAN PLUG IN AN I POD VIA THE EAR PHONE JACK.

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A VAIS/XM UNIT AND WANT TO INSTALL IT IN A 2006 SC430. WHAT IS INVOLVED AND HOW DIFFICULT IS THE RADIO REMOVAL.

I installed the VAIS unit in my 2005 model, it took about an hour. The most time consuming portion is running cables and getting the equipment in place. I installed mine in the area under the glove compartment. It has been about 6 months since I performed the installation, so I am writing this from memory.

To remove radio, do the following:

1. Open center console and gently pull seat heater switch plate out which then will allow you to pull the plate covering the gear shift and the portion below the radio that includes the ashtray. Note: You will need to take gear shift out of the park position to get cover off. There are several wires that all have plugs that you will need to unplug to fully remove the gear cover.

2. Remove two 10mm bolts below radio.

3. Now grip the bottom portion of the climate control panel that is located above the radio with both hands and carefully rock it as you pull it towards you. Just like the gear shift cover, it is held in only with clips, no screws. Once you pull it out, you will have access to the two screws above the radio.

4. Remove 2 screws above radio and pull radio out.

5. Unplug connector on rear of radio and follow instructions that came with the VAIS unit.

NOTE: The Lexus service manual always advises removing the negative battery terminal before removing anything from the dash. This is to avoid accidentally triggering the airbags. If you choose to do this, you will lose all the saved memory locations in your GPS and you will also need to re-set the limits on both your power seats in order to get the seat memory feature to work. This is explained in the owners manual.

Good luck! BTW, the VAIS unit works well and sounds great.

[rreich]

With center console open exert some forward pressure from the rear of the heater control assembly. It will come loose and then it lifts up. You might need a small screwdriver to pry on it if it is tight. Be sure to wrap the end of the screwdriver with electrical or duct tape to keep from scratching the panel.

I did disconnect the negative terminal of the battery...when you hook the power back up, remember to recalibrate your seat memory as per the owners manual.

I did not get the VAIS unit with the aux input, mine only does XM.

THANKS FOR THE INFO: IS THERE A TRICK TO THE REMOVAL OF THE SEAT HEATER SWITCH PLATE. DID YOU PULL IT UP OR FOWARD. WHERE ANY TOOLS REQUIRED TO GET IT OUT? DID YOU DISCONNECT THE BATTERY? DID YOU CONNECT ANYTHING TO THE AUX ON THE VAIS UNIT? ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER YOU CAN PLUG IN AN I POD VIA THE EAR PHONE JACK.

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A VAIS/XM UNIT AND WANT TO INSTALL IT IN A 2006 SC430. WHAT IS INVOLVED AND HOW DIFFICULT IS THE RADIO REMOVAL.

I installed the VAIS unit in my 2005 model, it took about an hour. The most time consuming portion is running cables and getting the equipment in place. I installed mine in the area under the glove compartment. It has been about 6 months since I performed the installation, so I am writing this from memory.

To remove radio, do the following:

1. Open center console and gently pull seat heater switch plate out which then will allow you to pull the plate covering the gear shift and the portion below the radio that includes the ashtray. Note: You will need to take gear shift out of the park position to get cover off. There are several wires that all have plugs that you will need to unplug to fully remove the gear cover.

2. Remove two 10mm bolts below radio.

3. Now grip the bottom portion of the climate control panel that is located above the radio with both hands and carefully rock it as you pull it towards you. Just like the gear shift cover, it is held in only with clips, no screws. Once you pull it out, you will have access to the two screws above the radio.

4. Remove 2 screws above radio and pull radio out.

5. Unplug connector on rear of radio and follow instructions that came with the VAIS unit.

NOTE: The Lexus service manual always advises removing the negative battery terminal before removing anything from the dash. This is to avoid accidentally triggering the airbags. If you choose to do this, you will lose all the saved memory locations in your GPS and you will also need to re-set the limits on both your power seats in order to get the seat memory feature to work. This is explained in the owners manual.

Good luck! BTW, the VAIS unit works well and sounds great.

[SOFAKING]

INSTALLED BY CIRCUIT CITY IN LESS THAN 1 HOUR. A PERFECT INSTALLATION. SOUNDS GREAT, WORKS AS A FACTORY INSTALLED ITEM. PRESETS APPEAR ON THE RADIO HEAD AND THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS WORK FINE. INSTALLED THE ANTENNA INSIDE ON THE DASH CLOSE TO THE A PILLAR. SIGNAL IS FINE.

MY QUESTION IS WHY DOESN'T LEXUS INTALL THIS AT THE PORT AND BRING IT UP TO THE STANDARDS OF THE REST OF THE LINE OR OFFER IT AS AN ACCESSORY AT THE DEALERSHIP. IS THERE ONE SC CUSTOMER THAT WOULDN'T BY IT?

[donniebuchanan]

2003 SC430 There are two antenna connections on the back of the radio. I am trying to hook up sirius fm direct adapter. Which one do I use and do I need an adapter.