Dracoro

UPDATE:

Rather than taking out the unit and sending to auto electrician, I did something just as “cheap”. I got a replacement head unit online (eBay car dismantler) as a donor unit for £150. Had guarantee that was in working order so took a chance.

Took off front panel and fitted to connectors on my head unit and all works correctly.

Just swapped out circuit board (although I could have simply swapped front panels but they are different colour, mine is black whereas donor has a brown hint to it) and fitted. All working now so result!

I will eBay (it’s a 2006 ML unit) the donor head unit (non working Audio button of course!) to see if I recuperate some cost.

note I did not take photos of the process but if anyone wants more detail as to how I did this, I am happy to advise.

That would be great! I am about half hour SW from EG. Happy to PM to discuss further?

Cheers all. Not much on the market at the mo. Only 1 or 2 suitable (if a little pricey) but too far away up north! I am in Sussex!

Thanks!

i appreciate they are rare! Waiting game for now.... but 

Thanks. So the presence of the bottom blue on the steering wheel is the only visible indicator? Are there any others?

When in 2010 did the update come? I.e. would an early 2010 not have the changes? But, I guess, the steering wheel would not have blue bottom?

also, any common issues to look out for?

Thanks!

Looking at getting an ISF! I am after a post “facelift” in that it has the LSD and other improvements. Now I know these changes came about around 2010? 

How do I tell if it’s an updated model? i.e. I don’t want to end up with an early 2010 mode and pre-dates the changes etc.

Other than LSD, what are the other updates? Suspension changes too? I recall some updates that improved the ride?

Also, I understand audio updates such that i can play music from phone via Bluetooth? On my GS (2007) the Bluetooth is phone calls only, not music.

i also see that (in 2013) there were binnacle updates? (i.e.) large rev counter etc. Anything else updated?

Thanks in advance.

 No joy on this, Lexus mechanics not trained/authorised to take stereo apart to fix so can only replace whole unit £2k+!!

i may get a car stereo electrician to take a look. Anyone recommend anyone? Sussex area if possible. Or should any auto electrician be able to handle this sort of thing?

Took apart and button itself OK but pressing button on the underlying circuit board does nothing. So, either a circuit board problem or something?!

Lexus have car for service next week so have asked them to investigate. If a cheap fix the. I'll get them to do it. If something ridiculous like a new stereo then I'll see if I can get a circuit board from a scrappy/eBay/etc. as I doubt this is sold individually.

Anyone advise on this?

May pull head unit out and see if the front panel comes off to see if any loose connections?

All audio etc. works OK as do all the other buttons but the Audio button no longer does anything, annoying!

anyone any ideas on cause/fix?

GS300 2007 model with ML.

Thanks all. Got Battery from Toyota (no Lexus dealers nearby and Toyota 5m from work) at lunchtime and fitted tonight, windows/park-assist all sorted.

Thankfully car worked through day to get me to/fro work/nursery-run/home.

battery indicator hard to read but I think Battery is original so getting on for 9/10 years old so due  replacement anyway.

toyota didn't offer Battery fitment but I also did not read this forum in time to know they did this, not bothered about doing myself anyway.

Thanks, that one I am aware of but never remember how to reset. As I recall just open full then close a free times?

Hi

need a new Battery and fortunately Toyota have one in stock.

is changing the Battery the same as most cars? i.e. take out old and put in new (which I have done on all my prev cars) OR is there some "syncing/pairing" that needs doing that I've heard BMWs need?

I've got a Bluetooth cassette adapter (ION brand I recall). Just sync it to phone,  slot it in to cassette player and away you go. Works surprisingly well. I charge it once a eeek or so.

About £30 as I recall.

Done pads/discs many times on variuos cars, however not had callipers siezing before.

if I can free the slider pin, does one grease with copper grease or normal?

There are two pins that hold the pads in. They came out OK once the retaining springs removed.

the top bolt undos, but the bottom one was stiff (but cannot unbolt it as it's just a hinge) and cannot "slide it" it in/out.

the rear callipers were mew from Lexus about 3 years (27k miles) ago. Would they sieze in that time?

where would I spray WD40?

Changed brake pads a few times over e years (not this car though, 07 Lexus GS300) but i can't see how to extend out the calliper. Managed to compress in the piston OK but could not retract the calliper so effectively could only put new pad on one side of disc, the pther side I could inly put in the worn pad, too small a gap to put in new pad. Handbrake off, undid bleed nipple, top off fluid reservoir but could not retract back calliper.

Any ideas? For. Kw I have put old pads all back on to tackle another day (or pay someone )

Thanks! That looks pretty simple (as far as modern cars go!!)

Will swap and see the result, hopefully just a replacement bulb.

Anyone know where best to get bulbs, I assume Lexus will charge loads so would probably check out trade supplier (partco, ECP, etc??). I would want std like for like.

Thanks. Not sure how easy it is to change/swap bulbs but I will take a look.

Sometimes I have noticed that my nearside headlamp bulb (dipped beam) is not working. If I turn the lights off then on again, it then works OK. I believe it always works when they turn in for the first time but may stop after 15/30 mins driving. Most times after my evening tip home from work it is still on, but the odd time not? Turn off/on always resolves.

Is this a bulb that's "had it" or another fault? I read somewhere something about "ballast" unit that is actual fault?

2007 GS300.

Auto open/close boot would be great.

Memory seat control illumination - yes, that would be usfeul.

Sunglass holder where sunroof controls are - that would be good for those with no sunroof.

Not having to tap "I agree" on sat-nav everytime I start the car.

More trip options on the dash display and remove redundant one(s) such as outside temp when there's an outside temp display already in the middle of the dash!

Wing mirrors to go down properly when reversing and to go back to the CORRECT position after. Mine barely goes down and is inconsistent when returning so useless and therefore I have turned it off.

I also find it very quiet (along with some other beeps) with volume set to max, and being a little hard of hearing doesn't help. I wonder if there is a setting (maybe Lexus can only change ?) to raise the volume.

Personally I would go via insurance or Lexus. The reason is, if there is any issues with the repair (poor workmanship, iffy parts etc.) then you will be dealing with the insurance co and/or Lexus who will get things sorted with the repairer (they prob send much work their way so have a bigger "stick" to hit them with). Dealing direct may, of course, be cheaper (a factor if you're paying direct) but if there any issues, how well will the repairer meet your demands? Obviously, if you know the repairer and they are good/reputable then this changes things.

It only turns off if in P. So I put in N.

I notice that you can only turn off TC under 30mph (above that it re-engages).

Is it possible to over-ride this? (I tried holding down the TC button for 10 secs but that didn't work).

Also (07 GS300 SE) does it have VSC and can that be turned off (temporarily that is!)