dcfish

I also have a 98 SC400 and now have gone through three 12 disc changers. The replacements were purchased on EBay - they worked at first and then conked out shortly thereafter. The consensus seems to be that the 12 disc changers eventually will have problems including, without limitation, error messages, incessant skipping with long drop outs, and discs getting stuck. I am now going to try the '96 ES changer, which again, the consensus, seems to be that it's a decent replacement. The later generation ES changers have error correction, which helps with the skipping. Also, they do not have issues reading CD-Rs. I don't know that any of the 12 disc changers ever had error correction, though the later models seem to read CD-Rs better than the earlier ones. I realize that the ES changer won't look as neat in the trunk, but it's better than having a non or barely functioning 12 disc changer. I plan to have the ES changer professionally installed, so hopefully it will look halfway decent. As for the 1999-2000 in dash units, I've read that they will not work with the head units from the prior model years. I don't know about the Blitzsafe adapter. My understanding is that there are no adapters that allow for the use of a different changer with the existing head unit. However, I did see that Soundgate makes an adapter that plugs into the back of the head unit and provides jacks for use with an iPod or MP3 player. However, I do not have any details beyond that. If you find out any other information, please post it to the forum. Thanks. Get a 96 ES 300 changer and fabricate a bracket for it, The 6 disk is one of the best that lexus ever used. Again, The 12 disk changers are never worth fixing, They always fail, ALWAYS. THE 12 DISK IS NOT NAKAMICHI IT IS MFG'D BY FUJITSU = GARBAGE.

For me, OEM is the best.

Have you taken the cluster out of the dash yet? I beleive all you need is the display, Switch it out and the milage will stay the same. I haven't been inside of a 98 cluster but if I recall the display is seperate from the odo memory.

Sure is. Is that a good thing or bad? I just drove it last week and tried to buy it from them! Just ironic how small a world this is! Don't worry at all.......it's a very nice car. Hopefully you got a good deal. Mike We like pix, Post them when you take delivery please. Thanx.

It seems to me that the car was left unlocked, You don't mention any evidence of forced entry, If someone would have some kind of master key they surely would have taken what they wanted rather than just damage the trim/faceplate.

Love to see some pix when you take delivery, Congrats on the purchase

Sorry guys, All the units are gone. How about 04 GX? should it be allright too? My dealer said if it's an exchange for a new one, will charge only 699.99. But the fact that we don't have any!! WE NEED SOME!! PLEASE!!! I don't beleive that the 04 is prewired, Look under the center console.

You can reset the changer by disconnecting the neg. battery cable for a few minutes, Or pull the fuse. When you reconnect the battery you should hear the changer reset. Then try to reject.

If it is under warranty get another one and replace that one when it goes bad. The 12 disc changers are the worst changer that lexus ever used.

Sorry guys, All the units are gone. No more in sight, 05-06 are supposed to be prewired.

Good Choice, Congrats

I would think after changing any suspension parts you would need an allignment. It sounds like you replaced 1 control arm. Personally I would have replaced both. But that is just me. I replace things in pairs.

My bad :chairshot:

I like white in the winter but the yellow is great on hot summer nights.

It could be that the contacts on the switches are getting dirty, Take the switches out and clean them. Then rediagnose.

When you get the extra cluster send it to LLS www.lextech.org and get it done right, Then switch clusters and sell the extra one, Or ???

Jibby, I think he was asking if the SC400 comes with a manual transmission, No would be the answer.

How do you get a five year warranty with a new one? By the way, if it is only the backlight that is out, you only need a bulb. If any of the display segments are out, you need a new display. The display is around $105.00 and comes complete with new backlight bulbs. If you search these forums, you would find this related post. Bulbs are generally a few dollars, either from Lexus or Pioneer. You'd have to call pioneer to find out if they have them. They are not listed on the website. Note, this information is for the standard radio, not the Nakamichi. Did I mention warranty? Just going by the age of his car and how long the bulb lasted, Guesstimation !!! Ballpark figure, You Know, Just figuring. But I would change all the bulbs not just the burnt one.

Have it repaired guessing around $200.00, If you replace it with a used one you don't know when that one is going. At least you have 5 years with the new one.

For me any time between 90-120k. Depends on how the car is driven.

Nice car, I had a 95 camry and I wish I still had it. Congrats

I don't think the 96 is OBDll it might be OBDl, Look into it further, I could be wrong. Thanks for your help. That may be the case, but I thought that OBDII was mandatory on 96 and newer cars. I may have to call the dealer on Monday. Scott You are probably right, Easy enough to look up.

I don't think the 96 is OBDll it might be OBDl, Look into it further, I could be wrong.

If you have glass coverage with your auto ins. then have a reputable glass replacement co. replace it. Just ask for OEM replacement. Do not accept aftermarket glass. It has to say TOYOTA on the glass. A dealer will refer you to a glass replacement co. also.

Check the trunk wiring that runs along the trunk hinge. There is alot of info on this if you search. There is usually a short in the wiring in the early LS's and causes all kinds of different symptoms.