ChuckSC430

www.seatdoctors.com.

I have an 05 with the the Ecru interior. This really worked!

Scott,

I have 238k km on my 2005. 

Back in 2016 I mentioned on this post that there are two other SC430's that also are serviced at my local Lexus dealer with over 480k km.

They are both still driving around town..

Good luck

Chuck

I am going to respond to my own post... It appears that the symptoms I experienced-  Bluetooth stopped working and the "Telephone" icon disappearing-  have happened to a lot of 2005 owners. So- the only way to fix this is either purchase a replacement navigation system from Lexus- or eBay. I did find a unit on eBay for $398:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-2009-Lexus-SC430-Mark-Levinson-Navigation-Screen-Display-GPS-05-06-07-08-09/232668002459?_trksid=p2485497.m4902.l9144

However there is always the chance that this replacement Bluetooth would also fail. I did want to keep everything original - but it seems that the only logical path is to replace the audio system.

It has been a head game for me and this car. I love it- but do not want to go down the slippery slope $$$. Sort of like a relationship.

Chuck

Last week the bluetooth for my phone in my 2005 quit.

NOT ONLY THAT- the icon (telephone) disappeared from the Display.

I was having my 125k mile service done at the time- the dealer did not work on the navigation or was anywhere inside the dash.

In this model year Lexus integrated the phone bluetooth with the navigation system.

The strange thing is that the icon disappeared...

Has anyone heard/experienced this?

Thanks!

Chuck

You can select the Sat Radio from either the steering wheel or the dashboard, the same as CD, AM, FM, Disc...

I installed the Vais system in my 2005- works great. There is no change, simply a additional 'mode' for the satellite radio which you can toggle to either from the steering wheel or dash.

This was my contact:

Eugene Kaspin
VAIS Technology
phone: 720-733-2348
e-mail: info@vaistech.com

I am one of 'those people' who has had my SC430 only serviced by the dealer .

There are two SC430's, that I know of, at my dealership that have well over 300k. I only have 108k on my 2005, and I plan to keep it as long as possible.

Good luck,

Chuck

"an you play phone call audio through your audio system now and how do you accept phone calls?"

- No change at all, phone works exactly the same

- NOTE: My iPhone now shows TWO Bluetooth connections ( I paired the VAIS independently)

- The VAIS only handles audio, the original CARMEDIA handles the phone.

Also- the chart that came with the unit shows "no text"  for the 2006-2009 SC430 in the matrix...

SL3B Review

Functions:

• All of the steering wheel controls work
• Mode Switch toggles to "MD1"
• They suggest placing your music in a 'playlist', but any configuration seems to work
• The 'up-down' arrows on the steering column advances songs or Podcasts
• Songs pause when there is a phone call and then resume
• My model is bluetooth only- no USB/mini

There is no 'text display', here is a photo:

I am very pleased- that cassette adapter was driving me nuts.. 

VAIS SL3B- Installed Today and Love it..

Nice integration, the mode switch on the steering wheel provides easy access- sound is great. 

Thank you to all who responded to my post.

Thank you for all of the due diligence!

I am currently using a cassette tape adapter to connect my iPhone to the sound system.

Anyone have a recommendation for a bluetooth solution?

Thanks,

Chuck in Florida

Thanks- I'm going to try this- My 2005 has a smear on the Navigation Screen where one pushes the OK square every time you start the vehicle, in addition to a small discoloration on the Display.

Chuck

When was the last SC430 made? Does Lexus plan on reintroducing or have they just switched to the I series.

Also, was there ever a permanent, non telescoping antennas made for the SC's??

About every other car in the world has a permanent mounted low style antenna.

-------------------------------------------------------

I was just in a dealer showroom. A new SC430 had a sticker of $70k, and next to it the "I" series convertible, coming in @ $57k. I had hoped that Lexus would continue the SC body style, similar to Porsche and 911 series. Looks like that will not happen.

My local dealer is saying there is no discussion about a comeback... The end-of-life was first announced back in July 0f 2008 and at that time they stated slow sales...

I am very disappointed, this is a great car.

Try this- apparently one process programs the key- the second the remote functions:

Key Programming

1. Insert an already programmed master key into the ignition. Do not turn.

2. Press and release the gas pedal 5 times.

3. Press and release the brake pedal 6 times.

4. Remove the key from the ignition.

5. Insert the new key you want to program into the ignition.

6. Press and release the gas pedal one time.

7. Wait 1 minute. The security light will be blinking for this one minute. When it stops blinking your key is programmed. To end programming step on the brake one time.

Note: Look for your security light. This light will guide you during the programming procedure. The security light will go off at Step 1. It will remain off until Step 6. The security light will be come on and start blink after Step 6 until the key is programmed. If the security light comes on after Step 4 STOP the procedure and start over again.

If you perform this procedure too slowly your car will not go into programming mode. If you can not get your car to go into programming mode make sure you are using a master key and not a valet key. If you have a master key then you will probably need to perform this procedure more quickly.

Remote Programming

1. Close and lock all doors. Unlock and open drivers door.

2. Put key into ignition and remove. Do not turn it on.

3. Using the electric lock switch. Lock and unlock 5 times. (Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock)

4. Close and open drivers door.

5. Using the electric lock switch. Lock and unlock 5 times.(Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock, Lock, Unlock)

6. Put key into ignition. Turn to "ON", turn off and remove.

7. You will see the door locks cycle by themselves.

If the door lock do not cycle (lock, unlock) by themselves then the car isn't in programming mode and you must start over.

8. On the remove. Press and hold Lock and Unlock button at the same time for no more than 2 seconds.

9. On the remote, press the Lock button for no more than 1 second.

AT THIS POINT. The locks should cycle by themselves ONE time. This means the procedure was accepted.

IF the locks cycle TWICE it have failed.

The most common reason for programming failure is because the car didn't receive a good signal from the remove. To fix this problem try these tips. 1) Stand outside of the car while you are performing step 8 and 9. 2) Don't hold the remove buttons down as long.

As long as the car is still in programming mode you can keep trying step 8 and 9 until you complete the programming. If you wait too long and the car exits the programming mode then you must start over.

After you get the remote to program then continue on with step 10.

10) Close and open door to end programming procedure.

ENJOY....PLEASE POST WHETHER IT WORKED OR NOT ..HOPEFULLY IT WORKED

[These instructions are from 'John' here on the forum- 2006

After lots of tries (and failures) using the directions on the Forum, I contacted East Coast Locksmiths. Tami provided me with directions that were similar to those posted on the Forum, but a bit different than the ones I used. She said that, for some reason, people had problems successfully programming keys for this car. Might be timing?? Mine is a 2002 that was built in August of 2002 -- one of the last ones for that year. So, at least for this car, the dealer didn't block out key programming.

The directions follow.

Key Programming

1. Close all doors.

2. Insert an already programmed master key into the ignition.

3. Turn the key from the OFF to On and back OFF FIVE (5) times.

4. Open and close the drivers door SIX (6) times.

5. Remove the key from the ignition.

6. Insert the new key you want to program into the ignition.

7. Wait 1 minute. The security light will be blinking for this one minute. When it stops blinking your key is programmed. To end programming step on brake one time.

Timing may be important. I did the key on and off to the count of 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi said in regular speach -- or just about on the second. Then switched keys in 3-5 seconds. Then opened the door to the same beat.

The Security light flashed for about a minute and then went out. I then hit the brake once -- proably within 3-5 seconds of the light going out.

Then started the car with the newly programmed valet key. I assume the same thing would program a new master key. Question? Can you have more than one master key? If so I may buy one and try again. Hate to lose or break the master from what I hear.

Also, here were her directions for programming the remote on the master key. Let me know if they work.

Remote Programming

1. Close and lock all doors. Unlock and open drivers door.

2. Put key into ignition and remove TWO TIMES.

3. Close and open the drivers door TWO TIMES.

4. Put key into the ignition and remove.

5. Close and open the drivers door two times.

6. Put key into the ignition. Close the drivers door.

7. Turn ignition ON then OFF ONE TIME- this will put the car in ADD mode for your remote. (Turning the ignition ON then OFF TWO TIMES will ADD the remote but will erase all existing remotes.)

8. Remove the key from the ignition. The door locks will cycle one time (or two if you are erasing) . On the REMOTE press and hold the LOCK and the UNLOCK button for 2 seconds. On the REMOTE press the LOCK button for one second.

AT THIS POINT, the locks should cycle by themselves ONE time. This means the procedure was accepted. IF the locks cycle twice it has failed. IF this happens you must start over. Hold the remotes higher up for better reception

9. Open and close the drivers door. Put key in ignition and pull out. This will end

programming.

Thank youi Tami!!!! Saved me $80 and a big hassle. I got the key from Sewell for way less than the local Lexus dealer.

John

I recently purchased a 2002 SC430 which has leak in the windshield washer reservoir. I can barely see the reservoir down behind the left headlight assembly. But does anybody know the best way way to access it. Is it from above or from inside the left front wheel well? Any help would be appreciated. Is there a recommended shop manual also?

MY 2005 SC430 washer reservoir also has a leak. I purchased a replacement reservoir from the dealer- They want $170 to install it. I pulled off most of the left fender well, and candidly became intimidated by all the 'stuff' in there- I've done this before when I was driving Toyotas...

I also would love access to the repair manual..

Chuck, did removing the fender well reveal the reservoir? Is that the way to go? Thanks.

John Billerbeck

John,

Yes- I could see the reservoir. There were a lot of other things to remove to actually get access. I candidly did not pull off all of the the wheel well cowling. I think the only way to really get at everything is to jack up the car.

Chuck

I recently purchased a 2002 SC430 which has leak in the windshield washer reservoir. I can barely see the reservoir down behind the left headlight assembly. But does anybody know the best way way to access it. Is it from above or from inside the left front wheel well? Any help would be appreciated. Is there a recommended shop manual also?

MY 2005 SC430 washer reservoir also has a leak. I purchased a replacement reservoir from the dealer- They want $170 to install it. I pulled off most of the left fender well, and candidly became intimidated by all the 'stuff' in there- I've done this before when I was driving Toyotas...

I also would love access to the repair manual..

Thats exactly how I did mine but my instructions that came with the antenna weren't as "official." I wish these antennas weren't so huge... I am looking into possible alternatives and will reply back if I find anything nice

The antenna broke on my 2005 SC430. I ordered one as mentioned above, however my situation was different. The cable snapped off at the base of the metal mast and is stuck inside the motor unit. Now I am looking at the challenge of removing all of the related trunk covering to gain access.

I may let this one go and take it to the dealer..

Anyone else taken on this job?

The same integrated XM radio kits for the SC430 are on ebay or direct from VAIS for about $260 --> http://www.vaistech.com/products/sl2xmt.php

There was a thread on another forum where someone installed one in his SC430 and I remember that he reported favorably on the kit.

I have a 2005 SC430. I just had the VAIS system installed and it works great. It is fully integrated- I hit the AM button twice- shifts to SAT1 on the screen with 6 presets, and then again for SAT2 and SAT3. So, a total of 18 channel presets. The 'Text' button will toggle the channel, artist or song and actually STAY in place, versus changing back in FM mode. Blue Tooth functionality the same- radio kicks off for a phone call.

Thanks for the tip on the VAIS unit!

Chuck