Sonnet

i got mine this morning! got suffer all day at work now till i can get home and install it.

Anyone know if its easy to remove the centre cover (by the gear stick and handbrake) so i can feed the cable through to the little compartment?

Mate,

everything you need to know for installing the grom you can find in hando's brilliant step by step guide with pics. Just follow the link

How To Install The Gromaudio Ipod Adaptor In 1st Gen Is, (also headunit removal)

The installation should only take you between 20 and 50 minutes.

Have fun :)

Cheers

Sonnet

Update!

Gromaudio placed a new statement regarding the charging problem of the Iphone 3G on their web site

31-July-2008 On compatibility of GROMAudio iPod Stereo Adapter with iPhone 3G

Dear Visitor of the website, Due to a number of received inquiries on compatibility of GROMAudio iPod Adapter with iPhone 3G, recently introduced by Apple, we would like to clarify that they are compatible.

When iPhone 3G is connected to a car stereo system via GROMAudio Adapter it supports all functions related to music listening and ensures CD quality sound. Using our device, iPhone 3G can be controlled through car stereo buttons or steering wheel controls.

Please note: that because of a charging technology change, the iPhone 3G will not be charged by GROMAudio iPod Adapter. We are working on a solution and will have first compatible devices by end of August.

Should you have any other questions or would like more information on our products, please do not hesitate to contact us We will be delighted to assist you.

GROMAudio Support Team

All the best

Sonnet

Mate,

the stereo will NEVER show CD2. Available is only:

CD: internal CD changer

CD1: external CD Changer (grom/iPod)

The thing what u can change when you're on grom is the "Disk number"

For example:

CD1 1 (DISK) n (Track) 00:00 (Time)

DISK 1 is for simple mode

DISK 2 to 6 is for advanced mode

Hope it helps

Sonnet

Mates,

while looking around where to buy one of Apples new iPhones 3G to replace the iPod nano in my car, I came along with a strange thing which might be interesting for you.

As you know I'm running the Grom ipod interface in my car which works fantastig since december last year but

The new Iphone is NOT charging over the Grom box

What is the background of this:

First of all, it's NOT a problem of the Grom interface

The reason found someone in the my.is board where if posted the Grom solution in the beginning of this year too.

The guy wrote:

Just a heads up for anyone with the iPhone 3G.. this adapter currently doesn't support charging for the 3G.. this is due to Apple removing 12v charging from the iPhone, thus USB charging (5v) only works now. This means the 3G can not be charged via the grom cable because Apple changed the pinout to only use the USB power and not the Firewire power pins. None of my chargers will charge the iPhone 3G, so this is not unique to Grom, just and FYI to everyone.

I'm not sure if GROM is currently working on this - but I think they will, if more Lex people will own a 3G...

Cheers from sunny Berlin

Sonnet

and honestly he is not on commission :winky:

Thanks! This is it what I forgot to add :) I banned this early discussion out of my mind B)

Hey Jom,

another possibility is, that you leave your CD player jammed as it is right no an beam yourself to the modern world by using your iPOD (or alternative MP3 Play). If you invest $80 Dollar vor the GROM interface you receive the possibility to control you iPod over the buttons of you (brocken) stock stereo.

Advantage:

- low cost

- plug'n play

- next generation music

- stock lock

All about that solution you can find in the following post (ove 140 replies / over 12000 views since december 2007)

Ipod Control Solution For Oem Stereo Is200/300 Finally Found, Affordable self install plug ‘n play solution for iPOD/MP3 Player

Hando wrote a fantastic walkthough with pics. So everybody a fit the Grom in at least 30 minutes

How To Install The Gromaudio Ipod Adaptor In 1st Gen Is, (also headunit removal)

My CD Player jammed two years ago (was still in guaranty because the cd play bug is a known problem at lexus so they extend the guaranty time up to 5 years) and placed never again a CD inside. I think nearly everybody had this problem before. So the only known way if you want to keep the stock look is going for MP3,

Cheers

Sonnet

Mate,

this is an interesting post :D But after a short screening of their homepage it seams to be an alternative for only a few people:

The reason is that the Peripheral PXAMG cost more than the double price of the GROM (Grom $80 Dollar, PXAMG $162 Dollar) For that price the the PXAMG offers most of the GROM features PLUS the possibility to select not only playlist but artist.

That's right....but only if you have the right OEM stereo and if you are not afraid to modify your stereo and disconnect essantial thiks like the sat receiver.

from their Homepage

Product Details PXAMG

Toyota/Lexus/Scion:

Overall Toyota/Lexus/Scion compatibility notes:

- Radio must be equipped with a button labeled "AM/SAT” on the face of the radio to be compatible

- Not compatible in Lexus vehicles equipped with a factory navigation style radio with factory satellite installed.

- The satellite receiver will have to be disconnected at the satellite tuner location in order for the PXAMG to work correctly

- Radios with a diversity antenna will need to make a small modification to the OEM radios main power harness in order for the HD tuner to work correctly. Please refer to included tech brief with inside the PGHTY1 harness packaging. Diversity antenna systems are identifiable by having two antenna connections to the OEM radio.

Not compatible in Scion vehicles with the OEM option Pioneer radios with OEL display

For me it seams to be too expensive, too restrictive and way to less plug'n play ("the satellite receiver will have to be disconnected at the satellite tuner location in order for the PXAMG to work correctly " - never!!)

I'm driving an IS300 Sportcross and using the Grom since December 2007. And I can say this is really plug'n play. Just plug it in and it's working for the most of us! OK no selection of the artists via the OEM controls, but it's OK for me. For the few times I need that, I place the iPod visible and use it's own controlls.

Cheers

Sonnet

Mates,

I'm running my IS300 Sportcross on LPG since January 2006 and I really love it No bugs, no problems and much more affordable than running on unleaded fuel :D I got a Prins VSI LPG kit build in and it's running like a charme. I've done about 26000 km with it so far. The kit was ajusted via Laptop right after building in and it's running since that time really smooth. I payed around 3000 Euro for the whole package.

Since that time it's REALLY fun to test on the german AUTOBAHN how fast the car can go and enjoy in town from time to time a little traffic light racing B) without beeing afraid of loosing to much money

I'm running the car about 98% on LPG. Due to the rason that the Prins VSI is starting on regular fuel you need to add 20 Liters every three or four month. After starting on fuel it's switching to LPG automatically when the cooling fluid has a tempature around 35 ° C which is reached after 6 - 10 Minutes.

Cheers

Sonnet

Hi guys, has anyone got this to work on an 2004 Lex IS with Nav??????? I have a top loader factory fitted stereo but looking at the Harness link

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...ost&id=2904

It looks like there is a different cable adapter between 98-03 and 03+ and guess what I ordered mine on sunday and looks like I might have made a mistake.

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Hi,

the picture is faulty :(

As far as I know all IS MK 1 from 99 to 2005 (model change to MK II) have the same relevant 12 PIN harness (they show only up to 2003) on the backside of the stereo. If you want to be sure just remove the stereo and have a look by yourself...it's really easy if you follow hando's guide :)

How To Install The Gromaudio Ipod Adaptor In 1st Gen Is, (also headunit removal)

Nav is not a problem. I got a 2003 mit Sat Nav and Nav is running as usual.

Cheers from Berlin

Sonnet

Hi Rob,

the adapter (Grom ipod interface) will definitly work with your Samsung player if you order this this extra RCA cable beside of the the default one which is included.

Using the Samsung controls is not possible, due to the reason that the RCA cable is just an audio connection and no data interface like the iPod docking cable. Sorry!

Fitting is absolute easy and can be done by EVERYONE in less than one hour.

Handos brilliant walkthrough with pics you can find under the following link

How To Install The Gromaudio Ipod Adaptor In 1st Gen Is, (also headunit removal)

If you have finally fitted the thing and start the get this new listening experience, I can guaranty you that you will throw these FM transmitters away - as far as you can

Cheers

Sonnet

Hy mate!

Grom is the right way yozu can walk on! Please forget these FM modulator/transmitter, the sound is really crap.

Before I bought my iPod nano I used a regular 20 GB player from Archos and ordered the Grom Audio AUX in Box. This box is about $20 Dollar cheeper than the iPod model and provides a good sounding interface between non apple MP3 Player and the OEM Stereo.

After installing this solution successfully I was wondering if the iPod solution was working as smoothly as the AUX one and odered the GROM iPod interface (you probably found my post in the audio/electronic section :) )

Whole installing the thig I found out that the iPod interface can handle both kinds of player: iPod and other over RCA plug. The only thing you have to change is the cable between the Grom Box and the Player, means if you buy the grom iPod interface and you are not having an iPod yet, you have the order an extra RCA cable for about 5 dollar.

After that you have all possibilities:

If you are lucky with your Samsung player -> perfect, just plug it on the Grom RCA cable end enjoy it (OK no control possibility over the OEM radio buttons)

If you decide to buy an iPod -> perfect, just change the RCA cable the the regluar iDoc cable (which came as default with your grom box) and enjoy the soundquality all described features like full iPod control over the stock radio buttons.

For further details please check this thread

Ipod Control Solution For Oem Stereo Is200/300 Finally Found, Affordable self install plug ‘n play solution for iPOD/MP3 Player

Cheers

Sonnet

I fitted my grom interface yesterday, works great.

Thanks Sonnet and thanks to the guys with the pics for the head unit removal :):):):):):):):)

Kevin...

Welcome to the club!!!

I hope you'll enjoy it!

Cheers

Sonnet

well im currently still bloody waiting for an update and its now really begining to p**s me off i have emaild with no reply to my last email

if it doesn't arrive today i can feel some very negative feedback on their ebay account i dont want to but i feel i am going to have to

@reeves1985

I can understand that you're going to be p***ed off.....but we have to be fair against GROM. OK they have bugs in their product and you are the the poor one who got a crap one first.

BUT we don't have to forget, that it takes up to 7 years (1999 to 2006) to bring AN iPod solution in the Lex (so it must be a kind of more difficult than in other cars). And this solution is working for about 90 % of the Lex drivers who has ordered so far.

We also know, that there are at least 6 different OEM Lex stereos outside which have to be supported for only $80 Dollar (the alternative VAIS Tech adapter cost about $250 Dollar for the same thing)

We ALL cry with you that you scratch your dash board when removing your stereo again and again - but it's NOT Groms fault, becoause you can test the box OUTSIDE of the console until it's working properly....

What I want to say....it's the only affordable solution that is working for most of us. For that reason we should not blame it but discussing all known bugs and workarounds.

I got a second for replacement here because my original one - which is working perfect since month :D The only bug is that the iPod is not receiving the shutdown signal when switching of the radio. I reported this bug to GROM before the big hype starts and they send my a replacement. Unfortunately I hadn't time so far to replace and test it. But if the change this is done you can have really cool working original Grom adapter....if you are interested. Just PM me

Cheers form Berlin

Sonnet

faargo does have them

thing is trying to get hold of him

seems almost like a ghost round here these days

hi mate,

you can get the connector housing and the metal inside right at yout local lecus dealer. I will attach to files with pictures and part numbers with all build in connectors in our lex. This list is in german, because it contains in comparisson to the english list the connector u need.

It's on the right bottom side of page 86 of the file the connector "R 3"

Lexus_IS_MK_1_Connector_Pictures.pdf

U find the corresponding part number at this list on page 93

90980-10803

Lexus_MK_1_Connector_Part_numbers.pdf

Just go with that information to your lex dealer and ask him for the corresponding metal pins. He ows a list with thounds of connector metal insides. The key for finding the right one is the part number of the correct housing as mentioned above

Cheers

Sonnet

I know that is absolut sh***y for you.

But we don't have to forget that tis Grom product is at least a quarter year on the market. And it is working for 90 % of the LEX IS driver. From that point I can say "RESPECT" BEFORE the release the only way to bring mp3 in the car was an FM transmitter or a tape adapter. Other products, like the VAIS TECH MP3 interface needed more than the double time on the market and cost about 250 Dollar.

Why we should not give Grom some time to fix their bugs and help them with specific error describtions over thei support channel to do that faster than in the past. OK we are beta tester......but the product is cheap (in comparisson to others) and it's working for most of the people

Cheers

Sonnet

Sorry to hear that

But maybe another solution is comming for you over the horizont. A member of the euro LOC board found an alternative solution somewhere in the net that enables the stock headundit to handle iPod AND USB devices.

It has an build in mp3 player and let you use the OEM stereo buttons to navigate through the file structure on you usb stick.

If you are interested - it could give you an alternative to Grom - you can find more information at the manufacture webside (chinese/english)

http://www.chelebao.com/

Or at their eBay store

MP3 player for TOYOTA-Lexus,Camry,Rezi,Corolla,Avensis

The price of the adapter is fair but the shipping cost to Germany a beyond of everything

Anyway.

You know that I'm loving my grom interface, but I hate these bloody playlist crap of the iPod. For that reason I've ordered this thing this morning. I'll keep you in the loop if it could be an alternative, or for some the only wax to bring high quality mp3 sound in the lex!

Cheers

Sonnet

Hi kevbonner,

after all the bad new, I can say "There is some light - hopefully - in the dark"

The first good new is: You are not alone with that problem. If you follow the link to the LOC USA board you will find a thread with three pages and over 40 replies to you problem

Navigation Screwed Up......., need help screwed up navigation

The second good news is, that it seems (in reply 39) that some has found a solution to reset the Navigation ECU in a DIY way :D which is solving the problem

That's an ECU issue. The Nav system isn't booting up the disc.

YES YES YES....HALLELUJAH........It finally worked.

I opened the ECU unit, unplugged the wore that connects to the battery that saves the memory, the whole system was reset and it was very easy......

here is the link....let me know how it works for u guys

For how long did you disconnect the battery. I've done it for 30 mins, and nothing has changed.

Are there any other than memory backup batteries in ECU?

So, finally I've made it :-)

First I've thought that the ECU, which some of you referred to, was the computer mounted under the dash, nearby the screen.

Disconnecting the battery which was inside this computer was useless in my case.

BUT, there is another battery - in the navi disc reader. And disconnecting THIS battery solved my problem biggrin.gif

In my RX330, navi disc reader is in the trunk.

regards to everybody

Good luck

Sonnet

Hi guys,

Just got my first lexus yesterday (Silver 2003 is200 se), had a saab 2.2tid before this and the lexus is a far superior car :). I live in northern ireland. The maps only give me the options for great britain because the car came from scotland. I was wondering how do i change the maps for the roads in northern ireland (which is still in the UK)? was messing about with all the controls and i managed to get into a secret menu and it's coming up in japenese now??? can anyone help me out?

thank you

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

messing around in the secret menu is the worsest thing you could do What is your Nav actually showing up. A screen in japanese like this?

If yes, you have a real problem which is not completely solved so far.

On the page

Lexus / Toyota Navigation Trouble

you can read what the story behind the issue is and what people have tried so far to get rid of it. To find the article please scroll down up to the middle of the page. It starts with:

"Quote Start"

In case the picture doesn't show up for you, the screen is in Japanese and has some English text that reads:

-------------

CAUTION

Error; System unable to access the program.

Incorrect program disk.

Please insert proper disk.

-------------

This is a GEN 2 / 3 NAV unit for a 2003 Lexus (also used in Toyota's) made by DENSO. It no longer reads the original European disc and is looking for the Japanese disk.

The disk has the following information:

86271-33031

464210-0270

DATA ver.02.1

""Quote End"

Beside of this the page shows up how you can get the temp satnav override funktion which allows you to use your satnav while in motion

So good luck that your problem is a different.

Cheers

Sonnet

well i can say that the workaround for the time being didnt work it cuts off every10 minutes or so and i have to turn engine off and on to get it to play again

pretty annoying seen as though i have to wait 7 business days for the item and it is the wrong one now will have to wait another 7 days

and i also scratched my dash because i was p****d off whilst fannying around behind the HU

Sorry to hear that

Did they really say, that you have to wait 7 days? When I've emailed them couple weeks ago (in December) and told them about another problem they send me the replacement lightning fast via air express mail - for free.

Point is, they know right now that there is a really active lex community out there who is highly requesting their product up to know.

They also now that this community get in contact with their product over these highly frequented discussion boards.

So they finally know that a problem on their site has occure and some negative posts on these boards, reading by all these interest will create a slight problem for them :winky:

I'm sure that Grom will try to fix this issue with his customers as fast as they can before negativ headline getting out of control

Regards

Sonnet

Hi reeves1985

my box does this from time to time when I just switch out the ignition while listening to music from my iPod. After testing a little bit around I found two ways to deal with it:

Way one:

Before switching OUT the ignition switch from the iPod mode to FM -> If you start than the car again and want to listen to your digital music, just choose the iPod mode by pressing the CD button once (or twice if you have left CD in your internal player)

Way two:

It's almost the same. You wrote

now i can get the sound through the speakers but cannot control the ipod via the stereo it just displays cd 1 and the volume seems a little lower than at first (this might just be my ears with the vol) even like this every so often it still cuts out infrequently

This comes up if the gromAudio box does not recognice your iPod correctly. This could happen, as discribed in way one when you left the iPod pluged on while switching on and of the car. So the solution is pretty easy if it occur that control is not possible and the sound is poor.

Just switch to FM and then after some seconds after the radiostation startef to play switch back to the iPod and everything should be fine :D

The grom Box will go back to the simple mode (CD1 Disk 1). If you get full control over your Touch just choose - as usal - Disk 2 to 7

I know a perfect interface should not have this bugs, but I know from other postings that grom is working hardly to fix all known bugs and a new release will come out in Feb or March. I'm not sure how they will bring the updates to the customers.

Anyway.

I hope my little work around will help you to get back you full control and the sound quality

Cheers from Berlin

Sonnet

it seems to not work for the early IS200s (with the lower CD changer type)

This is not correct!

There quite a few members in the board who have already successfully connected and using the Grom Audio iPod interface to a bottom loader cd OEM stereo. One example is SHAHZ (@ SHAHZ I hope its OK for you that I'm refering on your post). You can find his statement under the following link

How To Install The Gromaudio Ipod Adaptor In 1st Gen Is, (also headunit removal)

in post #21.

Some problems occured so far with the early Altezza stereos who seems to be different from the lexus one, even if they are looking the same and the connectors are fitting correctly.

The easiest way is ask Gromaudio in advance via mail if your are not sure if your specific stereo is supported. All known statements from grom Audio were so far, that

all Lexus IS stereos from 1999 to 2005 are supported.

So just try it. If it's not working, just send it back. This should not be a problem a tey have a very friendly customer support

Best Regards

Sonnet

Happy new year fellas!!!

Morning all, just something that ive noticed, not sure if anyone has experienced this, for some reason the headunit wont turn on from the power button (not every time, only when it feels like it !!)......when this happens, i turn it on by pressing either CD or FM? anyone know what thats all about?

Really :o havn't noticed it so far. But thanks for the advice!

What do you think, could I be usefull to collect all features and bugs of the grom adaptor in an own thread. It could be helpfull for all interested lex driver out there to bring all experiences together in a new topic so that not everybody has to read through all the 5 pages...

Reason of this idea is, that people read the headline, jump than to the last page and ask questions which have already discussed on page three when we all were on the way to investigate the solution...

If you are interested I will start this topic this evening!

Best regards from Berlin

Sonnet

Been using it in my car for the last 6 months or so, using this system. Either start a new thread or PM me for more info

Thanks for the quick reply, the information and the advise ;)

I think I will start a new topic next year....

Regarding the geen sticker I can say, that Berlin plans to establish an introduction time from - I think - January to March 2008. In this time everybody (locals and visitors) who are entering the "Umwelt Zone" without this green sticker (gasoline/diesel vehicles must have yellow or red) just get an information without the nescessairity to pay something. And then from April.....no excuse anymore !!!

Cheers

Sonnet

ill be grand so! im traveling to /Germany in FEB, run my car on E85(Ethanol) so ill be fine!! few Jerry cans in the boot. "Ich verstehe sie nicht!"

Hi you run your car on E85(Ethanol)? That's really interesting, because up to know I thought it's not possible. The reason is that a few month ago I found a lexus statement, that the engines are note suiteable for E85(Ethanol). What kind of system you are using?

Maybe we should start a thread for alternative gas like E85(Ethanol), LPG, CNG and so on. I'm running my IS300 since 2 years on LPG (Autogas). It's cheap and is working perfect....

Best Regards

Sonnet

I'm a bit confused though, I have IS200SE model, 2001 with the 13903 headunit (CD at the top), and no Sat-Nav. Both of the connectors on the back of the headunit are used, albeit one only has a couple of wires in it where it looks like the Grom connects to .

My question, although I think it may have been answered a page or so back is do I use the Y-piece connector as detailed in an earlier post or leave out the connector altogether and see what happens.? Anyone know what the connector is used for, other than the MD which I don't have but something seems to be plugged into it?

Hi,

if you go back in this thread to post #66 and read up to post #69 (on page 4) you will find answers for your questions- pics included :) powerpuff mookie from belgium had almost the same problem like you - both harness (the relevant and non relevant) were already fitted with connectors.

The GromAudio box comes with a ca specific cable which allows you to handle the originally fitted connector. The one end of the cable who comes into the stereo has two connectors. The female connector gooes dirctly to the stereo harness and the male one offers a place for your originally fitted connector. So the Grom is fully integrated and no connector is left over.

Just have a look at the pics and you will find out that you won't have any problems to fitt the Grom box correctly :D

Best Regards from Berlin and have a good start into 2008

Sonnet