Cutter

One tip that was not in the manual (or at least that I saw).

The interface screen did not have direct controls for the playlist (disk+ and disk-). The double arrows up and down will FF or rew. If you toggle the disc skip button on, the double arrows will control the playlist selection up or down.

Enjoy!

Just installed the unit today. Was a snap. Placed the unit under the ashtray of the center console- plenty of extra space there . Routed the cord to exit along the side of the console for now. May run it later into the center compartment or glove box.

The unit does display titles

Sound quality is excellent.

I have a 2004 ES330 w/ ML audio system, NAV, XM radio (OEM), 6 cd changer in console and am looking into ipod integration options. I like the Vaistech product but am concerned that I will not see song info as text.

My audio screen shows CD text when I use the in dash CD, but not w/ the CD changer. I just get CD and track number. Supposedly CD text display in changer mode is necessary for song title display. The Vaistech application guide indicates that text is displayed in this model, so I am confused.

Anybody using the Vaistech product w/ a 2004 ES330?

There is a free update available to 2004 ES330 owners that corrects some errors with address numbering. I received a notice from Lexus on this and it was valid until 12/31/05.

Need some help from the pro's out there.

Had my windshield replaced because of crack from a stone bouncing along the highway. After the rain sensor did not work because of an air gap between the sticky silicone rubber lens and the windshield. Called the guy back-supposedly fixed it but no joy- problem still exists.

I took the module off and cleaned the rubber lens with soap/water, then another time with isopropyl alcohol. Also cleaned both surfaces with alcohol. Held the unit under pressure against the window overnight with a telescoping rod, and after I remove the pressure the lens separates and an air gap forms between the lens and windshield- making the rain sensor inoperable.

Any suggestions? I could call the guy back but was hoping to fix it myself and be done with it.

Thanks

Jim

Hi...

It has been pretty cold lately in the past couple of weeks in Toronto.  I've recently notice that when I turn on my car and turn on the radio....the green LCD light that lights the background of the display for the radio is very dim.  It would stay dim but as a drive the green light will eventually get bright and back to normal.  Has this happen to you ? Is it just because of the cold weather? The rest of the dashboard lights work normally...it's just the radio's LCD display.  I don't know if the bulb is going to burn out...

Let me know if this happens to you or if there's a way to fix it.

Thanks

←

If you start your car in a dark garage the backlighting of the display will dim to adjust for low ambient light. You can override this by touching the 'display' button and following the prompts.

I had the intermediate steering shaft replaced in my 04 ES330 at 6k miles for the same symptom. It is perfect now :)

I mounted the XM receiver antenna on the middle front edge of the trunk lid. I thought the R edge position per instructions was too odd looking.

No problems with GPS; good XM reception.

Doh!!

I just assumed the spare was a generic rim.

Thanks all for the info.

One of my factory rims is scratched up pretty bad (dont ask)

Anyway where is the best place to get a replacement?

I did some research on the data truncation issue. Evidently XM channels only transmit 16 characters of content data. Sirius displays 32. The receiver/AV processor further truncates this to 10 characters.

When I play CD-text enabled CD's in the player behind the touch screen up to 30 characters are displayed. So evidently the entire AV system is not constrained to 10 character display. I'm sure this is an academic point since I agree that it is unlikely the issue will be corrected.

I do wonder if anyone has opened up the Pioneer receiver box. Maybe there is a DIP switch that could change this??

I agree with Steve. The XM add on is superbly integrated into the ML audio/nav system. I also listened to the programming of XM and Sirius on their web sites and found XM more suitable for my tastes.

My only gripe is that the artist and titles are truncated to 10 characters. Perhaps this is something that could be addressed with a firmware update?? I won't get my hopes up.

At the 5k service I had the dealer check the steering. I had noticed some binding at slow speeds near the stops, usually noticed in the parking garage where I work.

They told me the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced.

Seems unusual to me for a front suspension part to wear after such low mileage. I dont beat on it but do drive on some city roads in poor repair. Anybody else have this problem? Seems to be getting worse and unfortunately I have to wait for the part to be ordered.

Thanks

I ran into my salesman today at the dealer when I brought the car in for 5k service. I informed him of the availability of the Lexus XM radio part for the ES(which he had no clue of). He showed me the single page flyer for the 05 ES330 that lists them as XM radio "compatible". Evidently Lexus has no intention of providing this kit as standard equipment with any option package.

I should be getting the XM kit from lexus-parts.com next week. They emailed me the factory installation guide as a 23 page pdf document.

For those interested you can get it here

Great post on the install Jammikey. Thanks much.

My dealer wants to charge 2+ hrs of labor to do this so I am of the inclination to do it myself.

My question is where can I get a factory service manual for the 04 ES330? Do I need to go to the dealer and pay through the nose?

Thanks

Well I am not going to hold my breath for an integrated solution from Lexus or take a $500 gamble on the LS unit.

A local shop can install an XM unit in the sunglass holder between the visors. Very clean, no visible wires. The FM modulator sounds very good. Will probably go that route.

Thanks for the replies.

I am a noob to this forum and here is my first post.

Anxiously awaiting delivery on an '04 ES 330 in next day or 2. Got the Nav/audio package. When I asked the salesperson about XM radio he stammered and stuttered for a while and said something like "there is a button for it on the audio menu but it doesn't do anything". When further pressed he said it is implemented on the LS models but they have to use some cheesy magnetic stick-on antenna. He had no idea whether Lexus is planning a retro-fit/firmware upgrade for the ES line to accomodate XM.

Disappointing, since I picked the Lexus over the Acura TL and that came with 3 free months of XM radio.

Also anyone have 3rd party XM addons with the nav package (WITHOUT FM modulator)?

Great forum. Can't wait to see if I have the dreaded transmission lag. . . ;)