kernkf

The hardest past is undoing and reattaching the clips. The clip is a u-shaped clip that pivots from the bottom. Gently push both sides at the top of the u, towards the light housing, and they should unclip. I am not the most mechanical person, so if I can do it, anyone can. It took me longer than 30 minutes though!

There was a recall/TSB for this on the early LS430s. I can't recall if it was an adjustment or replacement; if you call a dealer they might be able to provide more information.

Thanks for your feedback. I called the dealer; the service guy didn't know about the TSB, but did think that the immediate problem of the trunk not latching when I closed it meant that the striker needed to be adjusted. He said there are a couple of bolts holding it in place and that I can adjust the striker upon loosening them. I will post the results.

I cannot close the trunk, even if I slam it. I can see that the latch/lock mechanism (which is part of the actuator assembly in the trunk lid) will trigger if I manually manipulate it. Thus, I am wondering if the striker (the part on the lip of the trunk opening) needs to be adjusted. I see that there are two bolts holding the striker in place. I do know that the actuator sounds like its about to give out. If I use the key fob or the interior latch, I can hear the actuator cycle through like its doing something. However, even when the actuator was malfunctioning, i could get the trunk to latch manually (and open it with a key) if I closed the trunk with some force. Now, it won't even latch. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

The hot glue/silicone fix did not resolve the problem completely, and now I have a front speaker that rattles as well. I was considering replacing the Levinson sub with a sub enclosure in the trunk with a separate amp. The quotes I received were around $600-700 for parts and installation. Both shops claimed that the bass response would be an improvement over the stock system, but ultimately I did not like the idea of tinkering around with the original set up. Also, I found that the impedance for the various speakers is hard to match with aftermarket products. For instance, the industry standard for the door speakers (I was told) is 4 ohms, versus the 8 ohms for the Levinson. The shop told me that this wouldn't be a problem for the amp. However, because of the impedance differential, the volume through the new speakers would be lower, and so I would have to adjust the fader to compensate. I didn't like that solution. Ultimately, I decided just to replace the door speaker and subwoofer with OEM parts through Sewell Lexus. Sewell Lexus offers a substantial discount to Club Lexus members, so that the Levinson sub was only $298.52. (You have to sign up with Sewell, and indicate that you're a CL member, and the discount will be automatic when you check out.) As for the door speaker, the dealer wanted $176.22. With the CL discount, the Sewell price was $102.58. I will have a car stereo shop do the install.

CD Changer Error message - 1998 SC400

Earlier this month, I installed a factory refurbished/exchanged 12 Disc CD Changer (Nakamichi stereo) purchased through my Lexus dealer ($375) plus a new magazine cartridge ($38). Unfortunately, the Changer is already becoming problematic as the error message now indicates on the display. I pressed the reset button twice but this action did not resolve the problem.

It appears that the rollers are not pulling in the CD (both factory CD's and burned CD'Rs played without hiccups until yesterday). It did proceed to play one disc for a few seconds today and then the error message returned and the sound was cut off. Also, the head unit does recognize and display each CD in the magazine.

Although this factory CD Changer can be exchanged again for a similar unit (1 year warranty), I would appreciate hearing input on other direct (factory or aftermarket) plug in options before I proceed (to exchange this unit at Lexus) next week. My goal is to operate a CD Changer that will be reliable for several years. I have read on the forum that the 6 Disc Changer from the older ES300 is a direct plug in unit. However, it appears that it does not install well aesthetically as it was not designed for the SC's small trunk (and is also an aged unit). Does anyone know if the 6 disc in dash unit out of the 1999-2000 SC model (or other models) can be plugged into the existing connectors in the trunk of the 1998 SC400? Also, has anyone successfully installed a Blitzsafe cable adaptor to control an aftermarket CD Changer through the factory head unit?

Finally, how reliable is the factory 12 Disc Changer over the long term (after it has been refurbished)? I've read numerous postings indicating various problems with the older 12 Disc Changers out of the SC coupe and I believe my updated model is also based on them. My goal is to retain the existing audio system (speakers, amp and head unit) and will consider any input on here.

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.

Hey all,

When I first bought my SC the stereo was working fine, although the previous owner had clipped some of the wires to install their own amp. I fixed all that to install my amps (being doing this kinda thing for a long time so I know the wiring is right).

Anyway, lately I've only been able to play 'normal' CDs. Any CD I've burnt will usually play a song or two but it hunts between songs and sometimes ends up playing something 4-5 tracks away.

I was thinking it's likely that the changer is old and doesn't like burnt CDs, so I was wondering if a 96-97 or so changer would plug right in to my '92 Nak head unit. And if so does anybody have a later model changer they'd be willing to sell???

Thanks in advance,

Aaron

I had to replace the changer in my 98 SC with a changer from a '92. When the 98 changer was working, it would play CD-Rs fine. With the 92, I found that it ONLY liked CD-R made by Taiyo Yuden and burned at 8x or below. Taiyo Yuden also is sold under the Fuji brand. (If you buy the Fujis, make sure they are made in Japan, not Taiwan, as that apparently makes a difference). If you are going to buy a replacement, I suggest that you try to obtain one from a later model SC. Of course, the '92 changer is now not working, so I am getting 6-disc player from a '96 ES. From what I've read, the '96 ES changer works much better than the SC changers. Ultimately, my hope is that someone will market an adapter that will plug into the SC head unit, to which I can attach a Bluetooth through which I can play my iPod.