Step Hen

You'll want to clean them up and get rid of any dirt/grease that's on the calipers. Brake Cleaner works well, and you can pick it up at any local auto parts store. It comes in an aerosol can. Clean it well because the quality of the paint job depends on how well you prepped the caliper. You will want to take a brush to it as well to reach in the corners and scrub out the debris.

You can get caliper paint kits, either brush form or spray form. High temp engine paint works as well. Some people remove the caliper and others mask the parts around the caliper. 2-3 coats is good, with drying time in between, and then you'll want to hit it with some clear coat. There are a lot of write-ups online, so if you google it, you'll find some nice ones, though I haven't seen any for a Lexus (not that I specifically looked for it though).

What kind of problems are you having?

You can try pulling the fuse for the radio/navigation system from the fuse panel for 5-10 minutes or can pull the negative terminal cable from the battery for 5-10 minutes. If you pull the battery cable you will lose some presets though, like radio and seat settings, etc.

Just as an FYI, my 08 ES350 came with the 7.1 disc. The 08 are coming with the latest map DVD. You do not have to hit OK every time you start the car, but you are locked out when the car is moving and there is no override to this without tampering with the hardware or getting a DVD that is a hybrid. The "hybrid" I assume is a DVD that uses current maps of one version but programs of another, correct?

Correct, posts I've found have users replacing the 7.1 loading.kwi file with the 5.1 version of the loading.kwi file. Currently working on getting a hybrid disc made to allow the override feature with the latest 7.1 map data. Will keep you posted.

If it's like the ES330, you have to flip down the screen to access the navigation dvd drive. On the ES330, you pressed "OPEN" button to tilt the navigation screen.

Don't know if it changed on the 350.

The DVD drives seem to be pickier in different model years about reading a backup copy of the navigation disc. The later models seem to handle it better than the earlier models.

If you decide to appear in court, you will have to go back to the township where you received the ticket. Is that far from your home?

You can hire a lawyer to represent you in court if you do decide to plead not guilty. Call up some lawyers in that area and see what they say about trying to pleading the summons to a non-moving violation and paying a higher fee. Most townships only care about the money they get from the ticket since they don't see any revenue from higher insurance costs.

If the navigation is the same as the one in my '06 GS300, open the glovebox and look at the top right corner. Do you see a dvd drive slot?

Tape Menu, and then you will see a button appear that says Map DVD. Press that button, and then you will see a choice to eject said dvd. Insert the new dvd and sit back and enjoy as the update commences.

Contact me if you have any more questions or need more info:

discquestions AT gmail DOT com

There could be a few scenarios that would cause the navigation system to lose communication with the GPS satellite system.

1) The GPS connection on the back of the navigation system could be lose or could have become undone. Pull out the navigation system (there are writeups on the web on how to get the system out) and check all connections in the back and make sure they are all firmly in.

2) The GPS antenna could have malfunctioned. You would need to purchase a new antenna and run the wiring to the headunit.

3) The wiring itself to the GPS antenna could be damaged. Again, you would need to insert a new antenna and run the wiring to the antenna.

Hi Eldora,

You have a generation 2/3 navigation unit in your 2001 RX300. The v1 dvd is quite old as the newest one is version 7.1 made by navteq. The dvd is available from the dealer.

The system runs off of the dvd located in the trunk as you suspected. You wold have to remove the cover and then you would see an eject button next to the slot of the dvd drive. To update the system, simply insert the new dvd into the drive with the accessories in the car on.

I have a 2005 LS430 how do I find out what generation disc my car require?

Thanks,

Ghost

You have a generation 4 navigation unit.

contact me if you're interested in one. pm me or email at:

discquestions AT gmail DOT com

You may want to look up commercial truck tracking services. I know the one we use at work would allow you to look up the driver's history of location, time spent idle in same location, time spent driving, at what speed, etc.

The ability to kill the ignition, remote lock/unlock, etc would involve a much bigger install than just a simple GPS box as in lojack.

http://www.lexus-parts.com/parts_detail.asp?id=88807

$289

They sometimes have a forum discount. Check out club lexus for the code. Thought I read something about a coupon code there.

That is the correct generation disc for you car. Sounds like a bad copy. Contact the original seller and demand your refund. Sorry to hear. Hope it works out!

It's quite difficult to get coverage though as it must be perforation, meaning there has to be holes in the body panel to be covered, and of course they will say the exposed metal should have been painted to protect from rust!

Better than cutting wires would be to pull out the pins from the harness and capping them off. That way it could be undone without any soldering or obvious signs of tampering.

Did you turn on the key to accessories or turn on the engine when the cluster disconnected?

Are you looking for OEM or OEM-type?

A good online Lexus dealer is www.lexus-parts.com which is Sewell Lexus.

They are a full service dealership, so if you don't see a part you want on their website, you can give them a call. Ask for the internet parts salesman to get the best rates.

Might be time to look into the lemon laws in your state.

You may be able to slide into a new '08 or even '09 model for your current payments!

Wait, backup, you have a 7.1 disc that has overrides to the lock-outs? And the dealership sold you this? Is this new or did I miss something?

Not from the dealership. Probably from ebay.

Do those discs work in a normal dvd player in your house? I've never tried burning it to a super long format, but the discs I burn (both -R +R) play in the dvd player.

Got a link to the part your talking about?

lexus-parts.com has some good prices, but I couldn't find this conversion kit you're talking about online. Might want to give them a call. Friendly people with great service when I bought my premium mats from them.

Wow, sorry to hear about the problem, but you are right and are lucky it happened in your driveway and not on the highway!

Here's some more info on what rack and pinion steering is as I just did a quick Google. Has some nice picture references. I haven't heard of something like this going out ever as R&P steering is usually found only on newer cars. Glad they're taking care of you warranty wise. Are they providing a loaner as well? Lexus offers this service.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/steering2.htm

New Navigation Update DVD Version 7.1 Gen 2,3,4, and 5

I have this upgrade DVD, please pm for detail. This is the latest DVD from Lexus. Covers the SC from 2002-2008.

'02-'04 is Gen 2/3

'05-'08 is Gen 4

Or you can contact me by email

discquestions AT gmail DOT com

Do you know where to get a copy of the disc? I checked ebay but not sure which version is the newest. I have an 2006 IS250 AWD.

thanks!

You have a Generation 5 navigation system.

If you're talking about a hybrid disc, simply remove the original dvd and insert the hybrid dvd. If it was made correctly, it should automatically do its thing.

However, I would make sure the disc was good before putting it in as I have read from other forum members that have "bricked" their nav units from bad hybrids.

I haven't read anything before about a hybrid 7.1 out so please keep us informed.