Intermittent Radio Backlight

[megabuck]

I've had my LS400 Mk.III since April, and I've covered 13,000 happy, trouble-free miles. But this week, it seems to have developed... a FAULT! But - it's a Lexus, they don't do that, do they?

It's a relatively trivial, but annoying fault: the radio backlight sometimes doesn't come on. It's obviously still working, as (so far) it's come on a bit later in the journey. I'd hazard a guess at a loose connection, except that it usually fails to work when starting, and starting working doesn't appear related to hitting a bump or anything similar.

The fault doesn't affect the A/C controls or display, only the radio; and it's the entire panel, including the backlighting of all the dials.

Anybody got any ideas as to what I could try? How easy is it to get the radio out and reseat the connectors?

Regards,

Martin

[Brettster]

I had this problem when i first got my Lex

someone had spliced into the illumination wire to power a phone hands free kit but not done a very good job and the wire needed soldering to make a good join been fine ever since :)

[Steevee Leevee]

I had this problem when i first got my Lex

someone had spliced into the illumination wire to power a phone hands free kit but not done a very good job and the wire needed soldering to make a good join been fine ever since :)

←

Hi,

Thanks bretttster for your reply to megabuck about radio light problem. I have the same problem and have had the radio out etc. but could not find the loose connection. I was about to send the radio away for repair but now I'll try this first. I also have and inbuilt phone.

Regards Steve

[Steevee Leevee]

I've had my LS400 Mk.III since April, and I've covered 13,000 happy, trouble-free miles. But this week, it seems to have developed... a FAULT! But - it's a Lexus, they don't do that, do they?

It's a relatively trivial, but annoying fault: the radio backlight sometimes doesn't come on. It's obviously still working, as (so far) it's come on a bit later in the journey. I'd hazard a guess at a loose connection, except that it usually fails to work when starting, and starting working doesn't appear related to hitting a bump or anything similar.

The fault doesn't affect the A/C controls or display, only the radio; and it's the entire panel, including the backlighting of all the dials.

Anybody got any ideas as to what I could try? How easy is it to get the radio out and reseat the connectors?

Regards,

Martin

←

Hi Martin,

I have the same problem and have lost knuckles and have many cuts but it goes like this.

No warranty given.

Ease the clock & temp & vent moulding from the TOP with a wide flat tool. This will compress the soft dash top slightly but it returns after a while. Slide it towards you and when loose depress the catches on the wiring plugs and remove.

Remove wooden panel by gear selector, place in neutral first to make room for getting it out. Take a flat bladed screwdriver and in the corners at the cup holder end insert under the panel and ease EVENLY upwards and the grippers underneath with give way. Lift and remove three plugs and by various rotations the panel will be free.

You will now need a 10mm A/F 3" to 4" reach socket to undo the two nuts under the radio. (I had no sockets only a spanner there go the knuckles etc.). Also on mine there is a plastic stud that proved to be really awkward and I could only remove with brute force and total ignorance.

Next remove the two 10mm A/F nuts at the top of the aircon controller, keep separate they are shorter than the bottom ones.

The radio and aircon controller will now be free and can be removed (as a pair) depress the catches on the aircon controller connectors there are four in a line I think.

Next the aerial lead then the radio connectors cd, phone etc. The radio should now be free for you to completely remove and get at the offending loose phone connection as per Brettster's clue.

Be careful not to scratch the sides of the centre console when removing the radio/aircon unit.

I do not know if the battery needs to be disconnected during the soldering operation.

I offer no guarantees that this process will work for you but so far that's what I have done.

Regards and hope this is of help

Steve