Notorious CD changer Error3 fix - 2002 ES300
 

So today i fixed my 6 cd changer Error3. It had some stuck CD's inside and it would not eject or play them. I took the CD changer out, then took off the top panel off of the CD player and accessed the CD's directly. Pulled them out one by one (5 CD's) and plugged CD back in. It started working!

One issue i noticed is the opening through which you insert the CD is a bit too narrow and if your CD is too thick it may get stuck on its way out, so i shaved off a bit of plastic to make the opening a bit wider. Put everything back together and hey its working!!!!!!


here is video on how to remove the CD unit:
here is what it pretty much looks like inside with the panel off, this CD unit is very similar:
So no need to get rid of your CD changer, give this a try if you got notorious Error3!

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/5662/22478057.jpg

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/1637/73317700.jpg

Here it is working! :

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg593...jpg&res=medium

I was curious about the extra wiring harness as well. I'm about 90% sure it's for the optional Rear Window Shade or Suspension Mode Selector.

ohh yes. its for rear window shade. its right where the switch would be. Is it easy to add rear shade btw? probably not, would have to redo rear panel as well to accomodate the shade.

this is based on my problems but my year is 05 so the cd changer is in the middle console where you rest your arm. Not in the middle of the dashboard. So if you or anyone can help, please help.....

as i said in the other thread - same idea, pull the cd changer out and disassemble it. Internal mechanism is the same across all recent lexus vehicles.

Damn I've got to try this....mine has been jammed and displaying error 3 for like 4 years now haha
Nice work!

Gotta try this!

It worked! It worked!
 

I came on here tonight because I was ready to take my 2005 SC430 into a car audio repair place tomorrow. Then I remembered the forum! One last shot, I figured.

A few weeks ago, I removed CD 4 and suddenly, the whole CD player began buzzing LOUDLY every time I turn on the ignition (and sometimes while driving!) It's so loud the people talking to me on the phone can hear it! Shocking! And SO annoying!

I just couldn't take that rattle anymore. Nothing would play. I could neither eject nor load. I couldn't even get the little door to open. (When this happened once before, the door DID open. I just loaded another CD and they all popped out just fine and I was happy...)

Somebody somewhere on the forum said his jams if he doesn't remove them in order - 1-2-3...
He may have a point!

So I read all the threads here and went to the car ready to really hit the little place above the charger super-hard if needed. That seemed my only option. I figured I'd start off with a light tap, then a medium hit and then really whack it. What do I have to lose if it is broken anyway?

Well, I turned on the ignition (buzzzzzzzz); held Eject and barely tapped the thin strip right above the CD player door and pop! Out came a CD!!! No more buzzing! They all came out. I loaded them. And they all play again! Miraculous!

THANK YOU to everyone who contributes to these forums! It's been so helpful several times now! :woot:

Error 3 = Disconnect the Battery
 

My 2005 LS430 had Error 3 message. I disconnected the negative battery terminal for a 15 minutes, then reconnected it and the CD player started working fine again. Need to leave the battery disconnected for at least 15 minutes. This method won't work if the battery is disconnected and immediately reconnected. System needs a little time for the electrical connections to reset. You will need to reset your saved radio stations. Try disconnecting battery before even attempting removal of CD player from dash.

THANK YOU!!! That video was incredibly helpful! I just got my Lexus and the guy I bought it from said the CD was stuck in it when he got it... :rolleyes:
Took me no time at all to fix it!

2002 Lexus ES300: I removed the top panel as you said, manually removed one stuck CD and buttoned everything up. Pressed the DISK button on the faceplate, it took few seconds and displays the code 3 error. There isn't any disk left inside, but the unit displays disk is full. I don't know what is wrong, but does not work for me.