Do Not Sell My Personal Information Jump to content


Fm Radio *not working*


Recommended Posts

On my 2000 IS200 Sport everything now works perfectly apart from the FM Radio, now a quick search of the forum shows this is a common problem, but I didn't find much in the way of a solution posted and the car is out of lexus warranty. MW and LW radio work ok but it cannot pick up any FM channels at all. I can pick up a signal fine in my old car so the signal area is not too bad.

Now the dealer I bought the car from has turned out to be a bit of a gem and has fixed the heated rear window, taxed, MOT'd it and generally given that bit extra by way of service, its a small family owned garage and well recommended.

However when he took the car to a local audio specialist they said that they had improved the MW LW reception but couldn't do anything about the FM and it would need a new complete stereo unit (and said £1500(O'rly?)). I am presuming that the cable is connected to the head unit and the arial because otherwise you wouldn't get any radio channels at all on FM,LW,or MW. Is that right? From the forum this seemed to be the best recommendation to check first.

So I'm left with a decision. He has offered to remove the OEM unit and fit a single CD player/radio to the car. We didn't discuss replacing the faulty radio with a new lexus one but that would wipe all his profit from the sale, and some, and to be honest if he had been a bit if a shyster, I would have pushed for it but I haven't the heart. Or do I just live with it and negotiate a free service out of him. OR another option which is wait until I can find one from Fleabay (is it just the head unit I would need?), and get him to buy and fit it.

I understand that these stereos aren't the best in terms of reliability with this problem being fairly common, and the infamous ERR1 and 3 are mentioned a lot, so would a replacement unit be the best option and lose the 6 CD changer (but get a stereo with an MP3 connection).

So....

1. Be a ***** and demand a replacement Lexus unit.

2. Compromise on a replacement new single CD stereo with MP3

3. Wait until he can get a fleabay replacement and keep fingers crossed (current favourite option tbh)

4. Live without Radio 1 (meh) and get a free service instead.

Any advice would be massively appreciated guys. Sorry about the length but the wife never complains ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Hi, yes these radios are a problem, the original head unit can be repaired for around £300 through my local dealer. I saw on eBay a repairer fixing them for £220. I would go for a repair as there would be a guarantee on the repair done, or on the whole set if it was service repaired.

Regards Pumatron.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi, yes these radios are a problem, the original head unit can be repaired for around £300 through my local dealer. I saw on ebay a repairer fixing them for £220. I would go for a repair as there would be a guarantee on the repair done, or on the whole set if it was service repaired.

Regards Pumatron.

You mean your local lexus dealer, so Lexus Worcester should be able to do this for about £300. If its that cheap I'll go for it. Easy choice when I'm not paying :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tbh mate, the radio signal is really crap.

Even with my new stereo it doesn't pick up much on fm.

Prob just be better trying out a new ariel first and take it from there.

Or just do a nice new install yourself and get the geezer to pay summat towards it! :winky:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tbh mate, the radio signal is really crap.

Even with my new stereo it doesn't pick up much on fm.

Prob just be better trying out a new ariel first and take it from there.

Or just do a nice new install yourself and get the geezer to pay summat towards it! :winky:

Oh right. Worcester is usually ok for FM. Well the guys offered to put a new stereo in it but I would lose the 6 CD changer. Mind you most of the music we own is MP3 now, but I gather I can get a kit to run an MP3 player from it quite cheaply of the standard stereo unit. (any linkys welcome). It might be worth taking the car to work again and seeing if the signal improves nearer Birmingham.

What have you guys done. Stuck with standard or put a new boombox in?

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Tbh mate, the radio signal is really crap.

Even with my new stereo it doesn't pick up much on fm.

Prob just be better trying out a new ariel first and take it from there.

Or just do a nice new install yourself and get the geezer to pay summat towards it! :winky:

Oh right. Worcester is usually ok for FM. Well the guys offered to put a new stereo in it but I would lose the 6 CD changer. Mind you most of the music we own is MP3 now, but I gather I can get a kit to run an MP3 player from it quite cheaply of the standard stereo unit. (any linkys welcome). It might be worth taking the car to work again and seeing if the signal improves nearer Birmingham.

What have you guys done. Stuck with standard or put a new boombox in?

Oops, was meant to say the reception in the car is crap.

When i'm in my mates' cars they all get fine reception, so I just think its

the aerial that needs sorting out.

But you might as well get a stereo with dab if you like to listen to the radio,

as the uk will soon be digitised!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tbh mate, the radio signal is really crap.

Even with my new stereo it doesn't pick up much on fm.

Prob just be better trying out a new ariel first and take it from there.

Or just do a nice new install yourself and get the geezer to pay summat towards it! :winky:

Oh right. Worcester is usually ok for FM. Well the guys offered to put a new stereo in it but I would lose the 6 CD changer. Mind you most of the music we own is MP3 now, but I gather I can get a kit to run an MP3 player from it quite cheaply of the standard stereo unit. (any linkys welcome). It might be worth taking the car to work again and seeing if the signal improves nearer Birmingham.

What have you guys done. Stuck with standard or put a new boombox in?

Oops, was meant to say the reception in the car is crap.

When i'm in my mates' cars they all get fine reception, so I just think its

the aerial that needs sorting out.

But you might as well get a stereo with dab if you like to listen to the radio,

as the uk will soon be digitised!

So you don't think its worth getting the OEM stereo working. Go straight for a replacement?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I decided on aftermarket, as most of my music is in MP3 format now anyway.

install.jpg

:offtopic: Hey Lee did u make that facia your self or what it looks great! Whats that screen hooked up to. I just realised i barely checked ur car out at the RR! Never even got to drive it :crybaby:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Arse. Really don't know what to do now. Autosound blokey has said he can probably repair it for £160+vat, meaning I could keep the original stereo system. But the dealer has offered to put a new stereo in but single CD only (i could push for an MP3 connection).

Really don't know which way to go now. If the Stereo does go I would have to get a new one fitted myself £350.

So the question is even if I get it repaired how likely is it to break again either for the FM reception or the ERR1 and 3 problems? What would you guys recommend? How reliable are the Lexus stereos?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Pete,

Is it a top or bottom loading unit, if a bottom loader i may be able to help :D

I don't know what a top loading unit looks like but its near the bottom of the console, with the single loading slot. Sorry for the late reply :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites


sorry, is the loading slot at the top above the tape deck or below just above the buttons :D

As i have a fully working bottom loader for sale..

erm i'll have to confirm when I get home. How much do you want for it anyway?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share



×
×
  • Create New...