I recently purchased a factory navigation system retrofit. A couple other people with RX's have purchased similar kits and I'm having some difficulties. I have what is supposed to be a Gen 4 Nav ECU (not sure how to tell) and 5.1 maps (was supposed to get 2009 maps)

1. My unit will NOT go into "night mode" no matter how I change the night settings. I made sure the time zone was correct, but it just won't go. The nav tracks me just fine, but seems to not know what time it is.

2. I tried to install the parking brake override but it seems that no matter what ground I hook it up to, my functions are still grayed out while in motion.

Thanks.
Jason

 

Are you lowering the dimmer switch past that click? When the headlights are on, and the dimmer is to the left of the "click" the nav screen should go black/white vs white/black.

 

just curious where did you get the retrofit kit, i have a 2001 rx300 without the gps, and i would like to add it to my car..
thanks

 

1st problem: Do the lights come on for all the buttons when the parking lights are turned on? They should all turn green and the clock should dim. On mine when the lights are turned on, when you press display, another touch screen button appears to select day mode, it is not there if the lights are off. Wiring goes like this.....
I16-4 is the illumination into the new harness, my drawings show it is green from the vehicle. From I16-4 it goes to I18-8 (Orange/White) and also to M8-8, You can use your voltmeter or a test light, check I16-4 first to see what it does, then check to be sure it is doing the same thing at I18-8 and M8-8 when you turn the lights on and off. If that is all working correctly we will go from there.....

2nd problem: Parking brake, all it is doing is grounding plug M6-13, just make sure you have continuity from M6-13 and ground. If your not sure about how to check the stuff, contact me...

 

I am interested in where you got the retrofit kit as well. Also, would you please post a pic of the display?

 

This has been written up in the past. The kit takes parts from junked RX's that had NAV; as I recall the console from 1st GEN RX's and the NAV from 2nd GEN RX's, together with a custom wiring harness to marry everything together. So, the pictures, except for the screen display, will look just like a 1st GEN RX300 with NAV. The display screen, as I recall, will look like that of a 2nd GEN RX.

 

Just to update this thread, Jason got his Night/Day modes working. It was due to the dimmer switch. Not sure if he got his parking brake over-ride yet. Good to see you are still around Flash14.

 

I would love to see pics of these retros..

 

Update on the parking brake: I'm running the 2009 maps (v8.1) and even with grounding the the park brake override I still can't change many things on the display while the vehicle is in motion. That's okay though, the new maps are REALLY nice, I have yet to find a road that it doesn't have!

And yes, I did get the day/night working and it WAS due to the dimmer switch. I didn't know my wife had it cranked up to the point where the dash display didn't change with the lights on. Plus for some reason I thought it would act like my Garmin and change based on GPS time/position...but instead it works like every other aftermarket stereo and relies on the dimmer/illumination wire.

For those who want pics, YoshRX300 did an amazing write up with pics and differences between the 3rd gen and 4th gen Nav units
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...on-w-pics.html

 

Can you still get these retrofit kits? I'm interested in looking into this, but I don't see anything on eBay (not sure if I'm searching for the right thing, though). If so, can anyone comment on whether or not:

- I can upgrade my 99 RX300 (w/Nakamichi) to a Gen 4 NAV
- Can I add Bluetooth (Handsfree)?
- Would there be an AUX port as well?

Thanks!

Jim

 

I would think that if you upgrade to NAV, the VAIS kits that work with RX300's with NAV would then work.

 

i called the dimmer switch :P

 

Hi I'm also looking forward to do this. Actually, I'm more interested in having a color touchscreen (OEM look and iPod video option) and Aux-IN capability than NAV, but well, if get NAV too then cool . I have a 2000 with Nakamichi.

Any up-to-date info?

Thanks!

 

I am interested in where you got the retrofit also, and how it works out for you. I have nav in my rx300 but the "player" went so I get disc error. Am tired of looking at the disc error message, would like my navi back (i luv my car).

 

egusman@woh.rr.com his name is Gus. Lexusaudioo is his CL name. He does this on the side so please be patient since the harness he is going to send you is custom made. Basically you get a new screen, new nav computer/dvd for the rear and a wiring harness its pricey since its custom...somewhere around 2 grand. But you will look just like a factory nav rx did. Only way to get Ipod integration on top of this is to also install a Viastech tool. It would be a good time to do both because everything will be out.

Good luck oh tell him robert rios gave you his email