2001 Lx470 Mark Levinson Radio Amplifier Issue

[Rabbitfufu]

My Mark Levinson stereo started having the audio go in and out. sometimes its on for 10 seconds , off for 10 seconds, or it might be on for 2 hours and go out for 3 minutes. Its very random. This just added to problems I have been having for a couple years with this stereo where on occasion you would put key in ignition and the radio would be on full blast and the audio controls (bass, treb, balance....) kept being set to strange characters. The volume problem and audio settings problem happened about ever 2-3 months and was not a big deal. So i never acted on those.

But having the audio totally failing needs to be fixed. So i started looking into getting the head unit replaced. Talking over the phone with my local Lexus dealer (Bredemann in North Chicago) they offered to sell me a re-manufactured head unit for $600 but not guarantee that would fix the issue.

I went to my local fancy-pants car audio store (abt electronics) and they offered to install a full new system (replace head unit and bypass Levinson amp) for cost of new stereo plus $600 to install. ouch.

I poke around some more and find out ..... there is a Service Bulletin on my exact issue, AU001-01 ( the first audio service bulletin) , see diagnosis here;

Some owners of vehicles equipped with the Mark Levinson sound system may experience one of the following conditions:

􀀀 No sound from the audio system.

􀀀 Audio system goes to maximum volume by itself.

􀀀 Tone controls are inoperative or show strange characters.

To remedy these conditions, improvements have been made to the Mark Levinson amplifier.

SB goes on to give instructions on how to get a replacement AMP.

But it is only made eligible to the 48month/50k mile time frame. My 80k 2001 truck is outside this recall/warranty exchange period.

I have been experiencing the the high volume and reset audio controls problem for several years, during the warranty period. Not till now, when the audio goes out am I taking action to get it fixed. Is there a way to get this warranty replacement executed at this late date? This is known problem with the amplifier, I am just late in reporting it.

Any guidance on how to address this?

Thank You

Full SB here

Lexus Supports ASE Certification Page 1 of 2

Title:

MARK LEVINSON AMPLIFIER

IMPROVEMENTS

Models:

’01 GS 430/300, LS 430, LX 470 & ’02 SC 430

Technical Service

Information Bulletin

October 12, 2001

AU001-01

Some owners of vehicles equipped with the Mark Levinson sound system may

experience one of the following conditions:

􀀀 No sound from the audio system.

􀀀 Audio system goes to maximum volume by itself.

􀀀 Tone controls are inoperative or show strange characters.

To remedy these conditions, improvements have been made to the Mark Levinson

amplifier.

􀀀 2001 model year GS 300, GS 430, LS 430 and LX 470 vehicles equipped with the

Mark Levinson sound system.

􀀀 2002 model year SC 430 vehicles equipped with the Mark Levinson sound

system.

MODEL YEAR MODEL STARTING VIN

GS 300 JT8BD69S#10008286

2001

GS 430 JT8BL69S#10150556

LS 430 JTHBN30F#10050752

LX 470 JTJHT00W#13512295

2002 SC 430 JTHFN48Y#20011879

OP CODE DESCRIPTION TIME OPN T1 T2

0.5 86280–0W030

860601 R & R Amplifier Assy Stereo Component

0.4 86280–0W040

Assy, 95 71

0.3 86280–0W050

0.5 86280–0W070

Applicable Warranty*:

This repair is covered under the Lexus Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s

in-service date.

* Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer’s specific complaint.

AUDIO

Introduction

Applicable

Vehicles

Production

Change

Information

Warranty

Information

MARK LEVINSON AMPLIFIER IMPROVEMENTS – AU001-01 October 12, 2001

Page 2 of 2

MODEL PREVIOUS PART NUMBER CURRENT PART NUMBER PART NAME QTY

GS 300,

GS 430

86280–0W030 1

LS 430 86280–0W040 Same

Amplifier Assy, Stereo

C t

1

LX 470 86280–0W050

Component

1

SC 430 86280–0W070 1

Order a replacement amplifier from Mark Levinson through the exchange program by calling 1–800–456–4265. Please refer to the service manual for details on the

installation method. The model numbers of the improved parts are 74## and higher.

Model Number

(Revised parts –

74## and higher)

7400 0461

EXAMPLE

Parts

Information

Repair

Procedure

Parts

Identification

[xrgmn]

I have a 05 Lx470. I have a problem with my amp too. My problem is that there is no base coming from the sub woofer.

[rmahbub]

I have a 2001 LX470 and had exact same issue. There was no sound from from the audio system.

I had to bypass the amplifier and used car radio's amplifier.

Now I really want to replace the amplifier. Please let me know if you have any info on how that can be done.

Thanks,