KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

So with a new steering wheel on the way I had it in mind to start removing the antiquated and useless "Lexus Phone" system from my '93 SC300. The wheel buttons will come off when I change my steering wheel and the handset console in the armrest came out easily.

I got to the Motorola controller in the trunk and took it out but upon starting up my car a couple of hours later I find that I have no DC accessory power. I did not remove the Motorola while the car was on or with any key in the ignition.

There are male and female connectors that are not hooked up after removing it. Could this be the issue? I don't want to just connect these without knowing what they will do to the electrical system.

Can anyone who has removed their old Lexus Phone help me out? I am just going to connect the controller for now and hope that cures my DC outlet issue.

Thanks.

UPDATE:

I plugged the Motorola harness back into the two body connectors but left the main unit with the serial port unplugged. No change. I plugged the main unit into the serial connector (leaving the "speaker control" from the mount unplugged) and upon turning the ignition, now my DC connector works again.

So there is definitely some step I am missing here to properly disconnect the TDMA phone system.

Can anyone help?

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

I found at least one person in this thread suggesting to just plug the two large connectors in the trunk together.

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...pic=47976&st=0

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

These threads at us.lexusownersclub.com confirm plugging the two connectors together for anyone who is interested.

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...1&#entry406883

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...1&#entry425640

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...1&#entry393672

SexyLexy

Can you post a pic of the Lexus phone you speak about? I have read numerous times about this however I have never seen it in my '93 SC300; did they not all come with it? I'm not saying I want it, LOL, just curious what everybody talks about.

QwkSC

iTrader: (1)

Mine was a loaded SC4 and didnt have this, could your phone be aftermarket add-on by chance?

Gimpster

My 95 had the phone at one time, its on the window sticker even.

the only thing left is the coax antenna cable in the trunk coiled up.

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

SexyLexy -- I've got a busy day tomorrow but if I get in early enough I'll snap some pictures of the rear window antenna, Motorola analog cellular ECU that went into the trunk, the steering wheel mounted buttons and the cradle that went into the armrest console. All I am missing is the actual handset. I assumed that the original owner (I am the second) moved on like the rest of us when analog/TDMA went away and just discarded the handset to make more room in the armrest. Everything worked when I had it hooked up. I probably won't try to remove the speaker setup under the passenger side glove box because it would be a bit of trouble. The steering wheel cellular controller will come out when I get my MR2 steering wheel installed.

It's a pretty cool system. It's a shame it can't be hooked up to a modern 3G/4G ECU and preserve all the functions because it's very well integrated and designed. When I got a 5th gen Prelude a decade ago I had a Nokia flip phone and I had a local store do an install of their top of the line car phone system (complete with a radio attenuator I think). I loved using it, especially since the car was manual.

QwkSC -- definitely not aftermarket. I remember seeing this exact same setup on the steering wheel of my mother's 1990 LS400 that she had bought at auction in 1991 or 1992. Also, the handset cradle and the trunk mounted ECU all fit into factory connectors that are pre-wired into the cars. Or at least cars that were ordered with the cell phone option. My car is a '93 so they were definitely making it available at the time. Maybe they dropped it for later 90's models.

Glimpster -- I wish I had the window sticker to mine. I coiled up my antenna with a waterproof twist-tie. Everything else could come out. I am tempted to keep the metal bracket the ECU went into just in case I ever do a stereo upgrade. It would be a convenient plate to mount a small amp onto and have everything bolt into a factory location, right next to DC power.

ScBouncE

I still have the factor antenna on my rear windshield... dont plan on taking it off anytime soon tho, looks pretty nice lol

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

As promised, SexyLexy, here are some pictures of the phone system removed from the car. The speaker is missing from this set because it's still installed. I probably won't remove that until I take the car to a stereo shop or get into swapping in a GTE wiring harness. I weighed the Motorola ECU on a scale as being roughly 3.5lbs. The whole bunch here couldn't be more than 4.5lbs MAX for anyone interested in saving weight. The factory CD changer probably weighs far more.

gifford546

I just removed my phone along with the antenna on the rear window. But, I have not ever seen a phone installed like mine was. I know for a fact that it was a dealer add on I have the paper work for it. Ill have to look it up but I think it cost the guy well over a grand after it was all said and done. here it is:

Gimpster

Wow that was the panty dropper back in '92!

"Hold on baby, I've got a call."

Psyco

Lmao!!!!! Thats a good one

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

gifford, I've never heard of a factory mount like that either. Mine went into the usual armrest console location.

gifford546

I wonder if it being a dealer add on has to do with the placement. It was done in 94. i cant find the paper work on it. this guy literally kept every single service and any valuable information on the vehicle. i know its there Ive seen it before. But if anyone knows anything else about placement on these I'm definitely interested. I never thought that much about it til I kept seeing them in the console.