JAB

1999 RX300, 186K, original Nakamichi stereo system. Got in the car today and no music. Head unit appears to work, as does the CD changer and the electric antenna. But no sound whatsoever, although if you turn the heater a/c fan off, and the volume all the way up, you can hear the music very faintly. Fuses (#s 16 and 21) are OK. I suspect the amp, which I believe is located under the front passenger seat. Any experience with this problem anyone? Is it necessary to completely remove the front passenger seat in order to remove the amp? What is the part number? 86150-48020? What exactly separates the Nakamichi from the non-Nakamichi? Is it simply a power difference between the 190 watt Pioneer in the standard version, and 230 watts in the Nakamichi? TIA.

gazi001

The amp located under the rear seat and in front of the spare tire. Here is the link: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...1&#entry312664

JAB

Thanks! That at least points me in a better direction. Is the amp the only difference between a standard, and a Nakamichi, system in the 1999?

hypervish

The pioneer system and the nakamichi system both have amps.

JAB

Anybody parting out an RX with Nakamichi sound system? All of the amps for sale on fleebay are the Pioneer (i.e. standard) version.

JAB

Does anyone know whether the Pioneer and the Nakamichi amps are interchangeable?

99rx

iTrader: (6)

question for ya, does your car recognize the drivers door when you open it? Meaning does the little door open light light up when you open your drivers door?

JAB

Yes it does; why?

99rx

iTrader: (6)

Nevermind, I had an issue like yours and it turned out to be a security issue. But disregard my comment.

JAB

I have read that there is an interface of some sort between the amp and the security system, and that starting the car, cycling the door lock 15-20 times, turning the car off, waiting 5 minutes, can somehow bring the amp back to life. I tried it; no success. How about you?

salimshah

The thread is going in every direction possible.

During production years (may be around 2000) the sound system got a minor upgrade (2 or 5 watts)

The audio system has a serial control link. The protocol is Lexus/toyota proprietary .. how various buttons talk to unit and phone/mute line acts etc.

Audio is carried on another harness. The pre-levels are non standard dual differential (l+,l-,r+,r- instead of l,r and gnd)


Back to OPs problem ... you need to confirm that the audio signal from head unit is getting to the AMP .. the AMP is not in mute and getting power..

Salim

JAB

Salimshah: I agree that I need to confirm power to amp. But to my knowledge there is no 'mute' function in my system, so how would that condition be triggered?

JAB

I feel like an idiot. My RX does in fact have a 'mute' button. However, when 'muted' the word 'mute' ordinarily appears on the screen. Mine was not displaying that; hence, it never occurred to me to look for the 'mute' button. Something other than the mute button must have triggered the mute function. In any event, I hit it once and suddenly the word 'mute' appears; hit it again, and voila!! Sound! Glad I figured this out before taking the system apart. Thanks everyone.

gazi001

Where did you found the mute button? I mean exact location.

JAB

To the right of the cassette slot.