DrAtomica

So I accidentally removed my cup holder and saw this connector, it looks stock from factory but it may be from the previous owner. No idea what this is, anyone have a clue of what this might be and what it might do?

1998 SC400 here.

tfwnoturbo

I don't know, might be in-car phone connector. Any phone owners wanna chime in? Mine isn't connected to anything either.

CatManD3W

iTrader: (18)

Either phone connector or heated seats.....

DrAtomica

Is it possible to perhaps connect a charging kit or something to that connector?

estomax

iTrader: (2)

bust out your mutlimeter and see if it has 12v on it from ignition or battery..then you can wire whatever you want to it.

matguy

Well, within reason of the amperage it can safely deliver. I wouldn't expect to connect more than a USB style phone charger, and even some of those can pull more amperage than you might expect. And if it's straight from the battery (doesn't turn off with the car) I would also worry a bit about killing the battery if it's a higher rate charger and the car is left for a few days, sometimes whether something is left plugged in to the USB socket or not.

Otherwise, some of the panel mount 12v to USB socket adapters floating around the-bay or Amazon look kind of neat. There's some Toyota ones that kind of look like they might fit the seat heater locations, but I haven't double checked or tried. Otherwise there's some "universal" round ones that are about the size of a cigarette lighter port (some actually are with the USB adapter just shoved in.)

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

I looked into what I believe is the same connector in my console a couple of years ago:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...-dc-power.html

I found it didn't put out a consistent accessory +12V power source. If I recall, I think it was related to the Lexus Phone option because I pulled some of that hardware out of there. I think it did have one +12V (or close) wire but it didn't work like the factory DC port accessory.

I ended up buying a different aftermarket DC plug + USB port unit from Wal Mart and splice wired it into the cigarette accessory wiring with a custom quick disconnect harness I made from Radio Shack parts.

I don't have the pictures right on hand. I thought I made my own DIY thread for my final version but apparently I didn't. I know the pictures are in one of the related threads to this topic but I will find and repost them here.

Edit: I found the pictures and added them to my thread listed above!

Edit2: Also it's possible that this connector is only on the automatic cars. Not sure.

SCFactory

iTrader: (2)

Always wondered this too, don't think its the heated seat option. Never checked any customers cars for where the phone was plugged into

Kris9884

iTrader: (7)

It's 100% the phone connector. I removed my old Lexus phone since it took up too much space in the console.