Moheb

Hey guys 2 questions:

1: My 1997 ES 300's stock radio LCD's backlight is gone, Can someone point me to the walkthrough and what do I need to buy (part number etc), it gets really annoying when driving at night sometimes!

2: I'm very tempted to change the stock rims, but I have no clue about these things (I'm admittantly very much a noob) I saw some 19'' with tyres that seem nice, what do you think of them and what do I need to check before I buy them? (Picture attached)

NICES300

I like these rims!

Moheb

Thanks
But I know that not all rims fit all cars .. measurements and stuff, do you have any idea about those?

LS Girl

I had the same thing happen to my 02 GS300. One of the backlights went, so I took it to the dealer. Bad news...cannot be fixed. They offered to replace the radio at the tune of over $1000! I decided against that.

Moheb

Gee LS Girl!
$1000 for 1 lightbulb!! I'm annoyed but not that much
I was hoping there was some kind of walkthrough like this one: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/60379-92-96-radio-and-climate-light-bulbs-lcd-backlight.html but for the 97-00 models ... any ideas?

Moheb

Guys any help is deeply appreciated ... I need to know the dimensions / measurments for a 1997 ES300 wheels before / if i buy these rims ..

Help !!

ayonnebay

As for the bulbs, you could replace the radio LCD display (like i just did). The two bulbs are soldered to a circuit board on the back of the LCD unit. They don't appear to be replaceable individually, as they are part of the p/n CWM4319 assembly.

Moheb

Thanks Ayonnebay, is yours a 1997 ES300 too?
The reason I just want to make sure is because I'm sure I read it in another thread -for another radio model- is that all you need to replace bulbs is a philips screwdriver

ayonnebay

Well, mine's a '98 ES, but I think they're the same. I have the standard radio. I can't see how you could replace the bulbs behind the LCD (They're actually part of the plastic box behind the LCD screen.) with just a screwdriver of any type.

Anyhow, part is here:

http://parts.pioneerelectronics.com/...uctNum=CWM4319

Choas

The radio lcd has been done here many times just search around. Also I love those rims. I need to know width and offset to tell you if they will fit.

Moheb

Hi Choas
Sadly, they were for a WRX which from my understanding has a different stud pattern than Lexus :'( .. oh well ..

The bulb change I'm a bit confused .. are they soldered to the back of the lcd or they can be replaced like screws?

I guess there's only one way to find out .. but if anybody has any idea please let me know !

Choas

They would be soldered on. Oh yea you need a 5*114.3 bolt pattern for rims.

ayonnebay

In the pic below, notice the green circular thing above, and to the left of the red connector. It is the one of the two bulbs you're talking about. You can see the two soldered leads at that socket. (The red drawn circle only indicates one of the screws to remove to get the LCD panel off the radio assembly.)

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/da.../medium/10.JPG

BadViper22

If you know how to use a soldering iron and a solder wick, you could replace the bulbs yourself. I vaguely remember that you have to remove the lcd screen to get to the bulbs. But hey, it's worth a try if it will only cost you a few bucks compared to $100+

ayonnebay

It's like the timing belt-water pump thing - If you're going to take it all apart to change the bulb (especially a soldered one), you might as well replace the LCD (which, probably, soon will fail anyway).

That's my take on it anyway .....