Scarletti

If they are 10mm bolts and need an extension don't forget you can use the one from the supplied Lexus tool kit.

iamsam9

Got It it work now!

After reading all the instructions from the other users here, the AC panel was a "B---tch" to pull out. But it did come out w/ a lot of wiggle and patience.

I put the car in Netural, closed the doors and turned the key to ACC to reduce the battery drainage, but did not dis-connect the negativer terminal throughtout the process.

I finally got a hold of a long socket wrench w/ an extender and was able unscrew the 4 botls.

pulled out the head unit and there it was, the 3 connectors in the back of it.
connected the sl2u "Y" cable w/ the 2 ends, one male end into the head unit and the other female end into the audio input connector.

followed the instructions via VAIS SL2U to intializae the SL2U and after a couple of times,
the AUX appeared on the LCD display of the head unit.

Ipod ready to go and started playing the MP3's.

Much more powerful signal and quality of sound w/ this setup compared to the "burned" CD's w/ the "WAV" files on it. Big Difference.

My ML 6-disc CD changer is jammed w/ ERROR3 and after pulling out a jammed CD,
I think I might have broken or jammed one of the claws inside the head unit so i guess that was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

I'll eventually look for anther option to replace the entire head unit or get it repaired,
but for now, I'm good w/ this solution.

thanks Habious and AlLexis for your quick assistance.

A1Lexis

iTrader: (6)

Glad to hear it worked out for you..... except for the broken CD changer. Since I installed my Vais unit, I never listen to CD's or FM stations anymore. Congrats on your install.

iamsam9

oh...one last question......

As i was enjoying my vais sl2u today, my ipod drained it's battery.
i got this isimple cable:

the youtube video pointed out that the little metal ring can be grounded to provide power current to charge the isimple cable adapter and the ipod at the same time.

but where do i use and connect this little round metal piece?

thanks...sam

Scarletti

Connect that to bare metal of the car, an existing bolt/screw is ideal but likely much bigger. You will probably have to cut it off and strip back the bare wire and use that instead.

mandyfig

In my case, I pinched it on one of the bolts that hold the radio. That's solid grounding.

iamsam9

I took the black wire a/ the small metal ring and tucked it under the 10mm bolt just below the edge of the head unit on the bottom floor.

I plugged in the ipod and fired up the engine. I didn't notice any charging?
is it subtle?

what about the red wire?

should I connect that to the same 10mm bolt or find another ground location?

are the two wires of the isimple cable (black and red) supposed to be grounded in order for it charge properly?

thanks again....

Harold57

Typically a red wire is meant for power. (I haven't looked at your installation instructions.) So most likely it is intended to be hooked up to a 12 V source, either switched or unswitched (most likely switched).

Switched meaning that it turns on and off with the ignition.

Scarletti

Black is to ground (IE vehicle body) and Red (usually) is 12v power.

As Harold says you have a choice of how/when you want it to come on (all the time, or when an "accessory" is on), and that dictates what other Red (usually) power wire you splice it into.