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I am new to Club Lexus and apologize if this has been previously covered - if it has, I would appreciate a reference to where to find it. I just purchased a 2003 SC430 and love it! The Nav system was not updated so I purchased a DVD and tried to install it. The eject mechanism does not work so I diligently took the entire assembly apart. I was not able to repair it and the system does not like the new DVD. I would appreciate suggestions about alternatives - especially ones that will allow me to disconnect the existing DVD player and plug in something different. I realize I could buy a used Gen 2/3 player and DVD but are there other possibilities? Could I purchase a newer system and plug it into the existing wiring harnesses? Does a third party - e.g. Garmin - make something? I would like to be able to make use of the existing display as it works fine. Thanks in advance for any guidance. -- Eric
Hello Eric
Welcome to the club and congrats on your purchase.
Regarding to the DVD, besides buying the used Lexus replacement, you’re out of luck. Many of us ditched the NAV and used IPhone applications instead, i.e Google maps or Waze.
One member successfully mirrored the IPhone onto the NAV. There is recent post on this subject under “my video/audio upgrade” if you want to go that route.
Hello Eric
Welcome to the club and congrats on your purchase.
Regarding to the DVD, besides buying the used Lexus replacement, you’re out of luck. Many of us ditched the NAV and used IPhone applications instead, i.e Google maps or Waze.
One member successfully mirrored the IPhone onto the NAV. There is recent post on this subject under “my video/audio upgrade” if you want to go that route.
You’re not going to find anything plug & play other than a LEXUS GEN4 system. Even if you do find a used GEN4 system, Lexus produced their LAST/FINAL DVD update in 2015. They’ve moved on to newer technologies. A GEN4 system is a straight swap with the GEN2/3 system native to your car. But by today’s standards, not very sophisticated.
As mentioned by others, members have used their cellphones or other devices. I replaced my stereo head unit in 2012 and it’s already considered obsolete by today’s standards. Nevertheless I still use my GEN4 Navigation when I need it and accept all of the newest areas of my city may not be in the 2015 map.
You’re not going to find anything plug & play other than a LEXUS GEN4 system. Even if you do find a used GEN4 system, Lexus produced their LAST/FINAL DVD update in 2015. They’ve moved on to newer technologies. A GEN4 system is a straight swap with the GEN2/3 system native to your car. But by today’s standards, not very sophisticated.
As mentioned by others, members have used their cellphones or other devices. I replaced my stereo head unit in 2012 and it’s already considered obsolete by today’s standards. Nevertheless I still use my GEN4 Navigation when I need it and accept all of the newest areas of my city may not be in the 2015 map.
Thanks for your reply -- can I simply disconnect my gen 2/3 dvd drive and plug in a gen 4 dvd drive using the same harnesses and it will just work? What about a gen 5 system? Thanks again!
I was not able to repair it and the system does not like the new DVD.
Hi Eric,
Is this right: NAV system was working with the old disc, you wanted to use updated disc, but eject function broken. So you took the whole system apart, were not able to repair the eject function, then reassembled with a new DVD that was not read?
One thing -- after market DVD's (e.g. eBay) are notorious for not working. If the new disc was not OEM, you may have introduced the problem.
Thanks JohnnyCake -- yes you are correct. The DVD provider gave me a full refund but I would still like to find a solution. I am curious about whether I could replace the gen 2/3 drive with a gen 4 or 5 drive using the same wiring harness -- just plug and play? Thanks!
Thanks JohnnyCake -- yes you are correct. The DVD provider gave me a full refund but I would still like to find a solution. I am curious about whether I could replace the gen 2/3 drive with a gen 4 or 5 drive using the same wiring harness -- just plug and play? Thanks!
yes, a gen4 is direct PnP. The gen4 was used in many models, like a Prius.
my 2002 has a gen4.
The Gen4 DVD player is, as others have said, plug and play, direct connections with existing connectors. But it will be necessary to take the trunk “garnish” apart to remove and replace the player. But I suspect you’ve already done that. Gen 5 or later are not. In addition, you’ll need to order a Gen 4 DVD as they are different than the Gen 2/3 DVDs.
When I acquired my GEN4 system there was a DVD disc still in it. It was outdated so I just found the latest (2015) version on eBay.
Here is the info on the correct DVD for Gen4 players:
The Gen4 DVD player is, as others have said, plug and play, direct connections with existing connectors. But it will be necessary to take the trunk “garnish” apart to remove and replace the player. But I suspect you’ve already done that. Gen 5 or later are not. In addition, you’ll need to order a Gen 4 DVD as they are different than the Gen 2/3 DVDs.
When I acquired my GEN4 system there was a DVD disc still in it. It was outdated so I just found the latest (2015) version on eBay.
Here is the info on the correct DVD for Gen4 players:
02-09-19, 07:53 PM
SC430 Nav System Replacement Options
