JoshuaaXD

What's up everyone. I bought my first Lexus last Friday from a dealer in town. So far it's been a great car. It's an 02 LS430 ML (I think) with 119k on the clock, clean 1 owner car.



It's got two main issues. First the radio doesn't work. I've checked all the fuses. None are blown. I'm stumped. I have read a lot of the mark levinson amps failing. I haven't found solid info on whether all ls430s have the mark levinson stereo. As far as I can tell I have a pretty basic LS in terms of options. The radio is my biggest concern I'd like to get some input on this problem more than anything.

Here's a pic of the radio.



The other issue is my map lights don't work, but I'm not worried about that just yet.

DavidinCT

First of all, you do not have the Mark Levinson audio system, It was available as a upgrade and it is clearly listed on the radio if you had it. I am pretty sure that it only came with cars with the Navi system (I could be wrong here).

Is the audio system turning on(seeing radio stations on the display, etc) and just not playing audio ? Or will it not turn on at all ?

If it was a amp of some type, the head unit would turn on and just not give any sound. You checked all the fuses, and I am assuming you checked all the connections on the back of the radio to make sure they are tight as well ? (seeing the dash apart)

If the display does not even turn on or do anything, I would lean towards a bad head unit....get the part number of it and search ebay, I don't think they are that expensive (for the non-ML systems, 2001-2003 would work).

I'm not an expert but, that is where I would go with that... anyone else ?

Nice looking car, good luck with it !

lorenr

iTrader: (1)

I have an 2002. My radio would turn on, would not change channels and had very weak sound.

I bought a radio (01 to 03) off of e-bay and had a guy at "Best Buy" replace it for $100.00. Done deal.

Buy the way, you do not have the Mark Levinson sound system. Still a good radio though.

JoshuaaXD

Thanks for the input guys. Yes I have had the dash apart and checked the connections. I did forget to add the radio does not turn at all, so good to know I have a chance here. I have a nice double din out of my old Acura TL so I may just go ahead and install that. Depends on how much I care to spend lol. I figured the non mark levinson system had decent sound quality. The fit and finish of the overall car is excellent.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

I would start by check for 12v's at the head unit if you have check all your fuses. I think you have a base model there not a ML version. Nonetheless, it''s a lovely car. Congratulations.

JoshuaaXD

I made some progress on the radio today. Thanks to the input I got. A friend of mine brought me the head unit from his is300, it happened to have the same harness. Sure as hell, the radio got power and I got sound. So my amp is indeed good and I do have a bad head unit. I'll likely go the aftermarket route.

I found this dash kit online. My question is were there different colors of wood trim available? I'm afraid of ordering the kit and getting the wrong color. I may just order a grey one to be safe.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=310967770688

Tom57

Here are the various brown wood trim colors / codes for 01 - 06. (There was a light gray color as well.) Check your VIN for your trim code.
Medium Brown, Trim 04, 1#, 21, 24, 25
Light Brown, Trim 00, 07, 08
Dark Brown, Trim 27, 29
Regardless of color match, the pattern in the wood for radio installation kit may not be a close match to your original.

Andyboy980

Gronemus

potaijee

If I could tag along this thread for a related question: My radio is wonky, I turn it on and the head unit turns on but there's no sound. I have to turn it off and on and try with the steering wheel buttons until the speakers crackle and then the sound comes on. Sometimes I just leave the radio on and after 10-15mins out of nowhere the sound comes on. What could this be?

zay386

i have the same issue. Have you ever figured out the problem?