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