mercerjj

Hi folks,

Was wondering if anyone can provide some easy instructions on removing the ashtray assembly on a 93 LS-400? I'm in the process of replacing my old A/C Heater Control Unit with a remanufactured one and I've been able to remove the top vents to access the two screws holding the Radio & AC/Heater Control Unit in, but I haven't found the key to removing the ashtray assembly so I can get at the other two screws. Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks.

Jeff Mercer

spxChrome

Try this link: someone told me about it a couple of days ago.

http://www.cureline.net/lex/audio/ho...io_removal.htm

Where did you get the unit rebuilt? Let me know how it works out.

mercerjj

spxChrome,

Thanks for the timely and very helpful information! With the information you provided, I was able to remove the ashtray assembly and ultimately replace the AC/Heater Control Unit.

I obtained the remanufactured unit through Lexus Kearny Mesa, San Diego CA. Tom Phillips a wholesale parts specialist with Lexus was very helpful in working the replacement over the phone and getting it shipped to me. They work with Mikado Technology in San Francisco to get the remanufactured units. I paid $400 for mine which looks new and comes with a one-year warranty.

Thanks again!
Jeff

Should anyone else be interested in a remanufactured AC/Heater Control Unit, I've included the points of contact below:

Lexus Kearny Mesa
Attn: Tom Phillips (Parts Specialist)
4970 Kearny Mesa Road
San Diego, CA 92111
tphillips@unitedauto.com
(858) 576-3424


Mikado Technology Company
1435 Huntington Ave., Suite C
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 615-9966

spxChrome

Glad you got it worked out. I can't wait to get mine fixed but I am having to spend my $$$ on other parts right now.

So, you sent the old one to him and he sent it to Mikado to get repaired and they sent it to you? Or did they just send you a refirbished one and you still have your old one?

mercerjj

Lexus sends you a refurbished unit they get from Mikado and charge you a deposit which is refunded upon return of your old unit. The deposit was rather steep ($200), but it does make you move promptly to return the old unit so you can get your money back. Don't know if you can go directly to Mikado and save yourself the Lexus middlemen charge...now that you have their number I would give it a try.

If you go this route, ensure that you request a unit that will definitely replace your old one (same year if possible). Some on eBay advertise units for 90-94 LS400's and don't tell you (or they don't know) that 90-92 AC/Heater Control Units will not work with 93-94 LS400's (the connectors are one-pin off on two of the wiring plugs).

JJM

spxChrome

Gotcha, to late now but you can send directly to Mik. They charge $295. You send them the unit and they fix it and send it back. That is what I plan on doing.

I wondered how you got it through Lexus because I didn't have that option. They wanted $732 for a new one and that doesn't include installation.