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jkulas

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Everything posted by jkulas

  1. I am fairly critical and sensitive to things related to my car. I notice every little noise, squeak, rattle, vibration, etc. I can honestly say that the driveline works perfectly now that the parts have been replaced under the old TSB. I have put over 5000 miles on these parts and the car drives perfectly, quietly, and smoothly. It operates exactly as you'd expect a Lexus to operate. A few people have asked this same question on this thread, but I haven't seen a response. With the problems Lexus/Toyota have identified with the parts, does this mean that those of us who already had the TSB fix completed will have problems down the line? If so, what kind of problems? What kind of defects did they find in these parts?
  2. I am posting this item before anyone may need it. I want to help people avoid the frustration I had until I figured out how to make my new phone with with the GX470. According to the Lexus/LetsTalk website, the Samsung T-509 is fully compatible with the GX's hands-free system. So, I bought the phone from a T-Mobile store (I was already under contract so I couldn't go through Letstalk.com). I paired the device to the car, but it wouldn't complete dialing out when I would use the Nav Screen to dial. Only the audio would work, and only if I used the phone's keypad. What the instructions on the Lexus/Letstalk website don't tell you, is that you must first disable the "myFaves" feature from the phone's menu. After you do this, it works like a charm. I am not really sure how I figured this out, but I wanted to prevent a headache for anyone out there that is trying to use T-Mobile's new myFaves-enhanced phones. By the way, this Samsung model allows you to transfer ALL your contacts to the car's hands-free system at once, not just one at a time! Love it!
  3. To hear the DVD through the audio speakers, simply press the "CD" button on the stereo unit until it cycles through to the DVD player. The same can be done with the steering wheel button. Just press it multiple times until the desired audio source cycles through on the screen.
  4. I ended up cancelling my contract with Verizon (at $175 for EACH line!) because I was so frustrated with their crappy phone software. Even the display brightness and clarity were poor in comparison to the same phone with other carriers. They disabled most of the native Motorola software functions and added their own. I switched to t-Mobile and the phone (Moto V360) works great with the GX470. I had the RAZR before... didn't like it.. but that may have been because of the Verizon software. One caveat - tMobile's customer service or call quality are nowhere near as good as Verizon's. At least that's my observation in Phoenix, anyway.
  5. 100% covered under warranty. I called them in advance and told them of the problem and asked that they order the parts ahead of time so I only would have to make on trip to the dealership for the repair. (As opposed to taking it in, having them assess the issue, then order the parts and have me return on a future visit for their installation.) As always, they gave me a loaner, offered free snacks and drinks, cleaned my car inside and out, and treated me with the utmost respect. Despite having a pretty major design flaw, the rest of the car and the dealership service have won me over for life!
  6. I hadn't used the rear a/c until last week and I had the clunk with it on and off. I didn't notice any correlation between the two. The driveline fix has resolved the problem so far. Now the car drives (and stops) is as smooth as any I've ever driven.
  7. I had the driveline and control arms replaced on my '06 GX yesterday. The clunk, which developed to a prominent issue over 9,000 miles, appears to be gone! Let's hope it stays that way over time! Parts took over a month to arrive.
  8. I have an '06 with about 6k miles on it. I have noticed the clunk now a few times and seems to be getting more frequent. Does anyone know if this TSB applies to all GX model years, or only certain ones? Is it necessary for the dealer to try the other fixes (lubrication, machining the splines) before the driveline is replaced?
  9. I too have a Verizon RAZR. Since Verizon has disabled the object push profile, I've tried transferring my contacts from my Windows Mobile PDA to the GX using bluetooth. No luck. Can you please post your procedure so we can learn from you? What PDA are you using? Could it be that you're using a PALM OS device?
  10. I have an '06 and was wondering: Which one of the coastaltech units works with the GX? Is it the Highlander or Prius unit? Also, is there something else I need so that my bluetooth will continue to work with their NAV enhancement?
  11. My '06 GX has a manufacture date of 11/05. The Nav software version shown on the screen is 5.1. Anyone know if this is the latest and greatest, or is there a newer version?
  12. You're right... mine only idles at a higher RPM when cold. Sorry for the confusion.
  13. Is there any literature that came with the '06 DVD that noted what updates were included in the new version? I am curious to know if it lists specific cities, areas, etc.
  14. If anything, my '06 seems to idle/coast a but too quickly for me, in either forward or reverse. It makes creeping into my tight garage space kinda tricky. I take my foot off the brake and the car wants to take off! The engine idle speed is pretty high (1400-1500 rpms) compared to other cars I've owned that idled at about 800 rpms.
  15. I just got a pair of headphones through an eBay merchant that work perfectly with the factory DVD System in my '06 GX. They're by RCA, model #WHR120RS. The buy-it-now price was just $24.98 with free shipping. I needed a couple of extra pairs, but the dealer's price was $79 each. The nice thing about the RCA sets is that they can also be used outside the car as the kit includes a wireless transmitter, charger, and rechargable AAA batteries. My kids and I think the RCA's are even more comfortable as the earcups are recessed for the ear, instead of flat foam like the factory sets. The merchant I got them from is "auctionsmithonline." You can do a search for WHR120RS and find them. I don't normally recommend eBay merchants, but this one really did sell what was advertised and they followed through on their word. (No, I am not affiliated with this merchant, just a happy customer!)
  16. I returned my car to Signature Audio in Scottsdale, AZ, today to have them remedy the hard-drive noise that was present when changing tracks. I was also experiencing an intermittent "hang-up" with the AIC-100i which occurred them powering on the head unit using the knob. The system didn't know which playlist to use, and it often chose two of them simultaneously, thus "hanging" the system. Signature Audio had contacted the help desk at VAIS Technology and they were instructed to use a ground loop isolator. Upon closer inspection, there was no way to connect one. VAIS ultimately authorized a new unit to be installed under warranty. Their new unit for the GX470 (and I assume other cars) is the SLI. The AIC-100i has been discontinued (apparently for these same issues I've described). The owner's manual says on page 3, "This unit is equipped with: built-in ground noise isolator to eliminate unwanted car engine noise and iPod hard drive noise." Low and behold, the noises are all gone. The iPod changes tracks and playlists more quickly, and it doesn't "hang up" when powering on with the stereo's power knob. In answer to an earlier question on this string, the audio quality is far superior to the cassette adaptor. Depending on the quality of the file on the iPod, it can be as good as or slightly better than commercially-manufactured CD's played through the factory changer. Most of my iPod files are 192 kbps and I think the quality is better than CD.
  17. Good for you too, LoneWolf, for holding your ground and getting the system and car you wanted. I held out for the Blizzard Pearl with tan interior too! Enjoy your new car... I am loving mine!
  18. The dealership here in Chandler, AZ, also tried to get me take one with aftermarket DVD by (ahem) AUDIOVOX. They claimed that they never order the factory DVD system on their cars. I insisted I wanted one with the factory system, so they had to transfer one from Tuscon for me. I am very glad I held out for the factory system. I have had terrible experiences with my other cars and their "aftermarket" accessories. The dealership was very up-front with me... but I had to ask questions. I knew what questions to ask, because I'd been burned before. They didn't offer all this information. Always ask if it's OEM. If not, in most cases, RUN FOR THE HILLS! By the way, the dealer wanted $2500 for their aftermarket system which included 2 headrest screens. Why on earth would anyone pay $1000 more than the price of the OEM system, yield fewer functions, have a shorter warranty, AND have their car all torn apart for the installation? This stuff must mean big profits for the dealerships.
  19. I've had my car for over 2 weeks and i have the same problem. Someone, please help?
  20. I too had some difficulty... far more with my '06 GX than I did with the '03 Highlander I traded in. I took several tries, but I eventually got it to work. My opener is the "rolling code" type, with complicated it a bit. The instructions that came with the GX didn't work for me. Homelink's website has instructions for your specific vehicle and brand of opener at http://www.homelink.com/training/train.taf Go to the "program for the first time" option under Step 1. Jeff
  21. Just had my vaistech interface installed for the iPod. I am not 100% satisfied with it as I have experienced a few problems already. The stereo shop that installed it has had to order a new unit and will replace it once it arrives. 1) There's a high-pitched noise when changing tracks - but only sometimes. It sounds like the hard- drive is searching for the track. Super annoying. The shop says there's no benefit to adding a ground loop isolator (??), despite what I've read on this forum. I even showed them the article. 2) On one ocassion (in only a week), the iPod AND the FM stereo played simulaneously. I had to shut off the audio system a few times to clear it so that only one input would play at a time. 3) Twice in just a week, no audio would play at all when powering the system on with the power knob. The only way to get it to turn back on was to use the voice command!? My wife has a 2005 BMW 3 series with an iPod interface that was a dealer-installed option. Granted, it doesn't have the track listing function, just Playlist and track list numbers, but there has never once been a problem. No errant noise, no system hang-ups, no simultaneous playing of multiple inputs. I paid $465 plus tax to have the unit installed at a high-end audio shop (parts and labor) at Signature Audio in Scottsdale, AZ. They do lots of celebrities' and sports stars' cars. In fact, when I was attempting to leave, Randy Johnson (the baseball player) had his black Hummer H1 parked behind me while all the audio-shop guys fussed over him. These guys seemed to know what they're doing, so I blame the Vaistech unit for the maladies, not the installation. Toyota/Lexus should offer a factory iPod solution so we don't have to rely on aftermarket goods that are finicky and unreliable. Other luxury manufacturers offer this, why not Lexus?
  22. I just got back from a weekend in Sedona, AZ, were the low temp was in the teens. The seat warmers worked fine in my '06... nice and toasty. I did notice that the seat back, up through the lumbar support, got warm too. Had to turn the temp knob down to mid-way as full-tilt was too hot for me. I do wish these had a timer, though. My wife keeps leaving her seat on and I don't notice it until a day or two later when she hasn't been in the car.
  23. There are several forums for the Sequoia and the 4Runner that mention this "clunk" as well. I read some posts that date back to the 90's. I did learn that the issue you all describe is known as "axle wrap" and is a very common and normal issue with 4-wheel drive drivetrains. There are things that can be done to reduce its effects, but it's not a malfunction of the driveline.
  24. '06 model here.. .no "clunk" yet. Did feel a downshift upon stopping, though. Nothing irritating or annoying.
  25. I picked up my '06 GX yesterday. The car is perfect. I did notice a "clunk" which was more like a downshift upon coming to a complete stop. It didn't seem as major as what some people on this BB have described. Based on some of the postings, I expected it to be far, far worse. My wife noticed it too, but if this is as bad as it gets, Lexus can count us as happy customers.
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