Audio Issue
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 74
Likes: 13
From: Fl
Audio Issue
Hi Guys
So I went on a vacation for 3 weeks and plugged a battery tender into my 2013 ES350 U/L with Mark Levenson sound system. When I got back from vacation I took the car out and the radio had no sound and the phone command voice was also without sound. The phone connects successfully to the car but no sound and the radio had no sound ,but the volume displays higher numbers when volume is turned up. I checked the mute control on the dash and its off. So I drove the car and made several stops and after about 2-3 stops and restarting the engine the radio sound turned on and the phone command had voice! The next day on starting up the car audio is out again, but after several stop and starts the radio comes back on as well as phone sound.
I don't know if there is a short somewhere in the system or a loose wire in the Amplifier connectors. I don't think a blown fuse would cause intermittent sound loss and back on again .
I saw there were old posts about similar audio issues with no real explanation or resolution.
What do you guys think about this?
Thanks
So I went on a vacation for 3 weeks and plugged a battery tender into my 2013 ES350 U/L with Mark Levenson sound system. When I got back from vacation I took the car out and the radio had no sound and the phone command voice was also without sound. The phone connects successfully to the car but no sound and the radio had no sound ,but the volume displays higher numbers when volume is turned up. I checked the mute control on the dash and its off. So I drove the car and made several stops and after about 2-3 stops and restarting the engine the radio sound turned on and the phone command had voice! The next day on starting up the car audio is out again, but after several stop and starts the radio comes back on as well as phone sound.
I don't know if there is a short somewhere in the system or a loose wire in the Amplifier connectors. I don't think a blown fuse would cause intermittent sound loss and back on again .
I saw there were old posts about similar audio issues with no real explanation or resolution.
What do you guys think about this?
Thanks
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 20
Likes: 7
Same problem with my 2013.
Hi Guys
So I went on a vacation for 3 weeks and plugged a battery tender into my 2013 ES350 U/L with Mark Levenson sound system. When I got back from vacation I took the car out and the radio had no sound and the phone command voice was also without sound. The phone connects successfully to the car but no sound and the radio had no sound ,but the volume displays higher numbers when volume is turned up. I checked the mute control on the dash and its off. So I drove the car and made several stops and after about 2-3 stops and restarting the engine the radio sound turned on and the phone command had voice! The next day on starting up the car audio is out again, but after several stop and starts the radio comes back on as well as phone sound.
I don't know if there is a short somewhere in the system or a loose wire in the Amplifier connectors. I don't think a blown fuse would cause intermittent sound loss and back on again .
I saw there were old posts about similar audio issues with no real explanation or resolution.
What do you guys think about this?
Thanks
So I went on a vacation for 3 weeks and plugged a battery tender into my 2013 ES350 U/L with Mark Levenson sound system. When I got back from vacation I took the car out and the radio had no sound and the phone command voice was also without sound. The phone connects successfully to the car but no sound and the radio had no sound ,but the volume displays higher numbers when volume is turned up. I checked the mute control on the dash and its off. So I drove the car and made several stops and after about 2-3 stops and restarting the engine the radio sound turned on and the phone command had voice! The next day on starting up the car audio is out again, but after several stop and starts the radio comes back on as well as phone sound.
I don't know if there is a short somewhere in the system or a loose wire in the Amplifier connectors. I don't think a blown fuse would cause intermittent sound loss and back on again .
I saw there were old posts about similar audio issues with no real explanation or resolution.
What do you guys think about this?
Thanks
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 74
Likes: 13
From: Fl
Have same problem with my 2013 Mark Levinson system. I pulled all connections from amplifer under drivers seat and reattached them to no avail. I'm pretty sure the amps they used are failing. Called United Radio in New York and was given a quote of 750.00 to rebuild it. I haven't done this yet but am still considering it. You can also look on E-bay as there are a few for sale but high priced. There are no aftermarket units so your kind of stuck. Let me know if you have any luck. My lexus has 63,000 miles on it and is still a very nice car so I'm gonna get it fixed.
Good Luck
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,273
Likes: 1,213
From: IL
Quick trick that might clear this up. The overhead "SOS" button for the now obsolete Safety Connect will interrupt both the stereo and the BT Phone when it takes over the speakers and microphone.
Try pressing the SOS button, it will speak up with one of a couple of automated responses. None of them matter because the 3G towers that the 2013 would need to connect to are gone. In this case
just press the SOS button again to clear the system. Next to the SOS button are a couple of lights that should now be dark. Is the Red light on or does it come on during this exercise?
Try pressing the SOS button, it will speak up with one of a couple of automated responses. None of them matter because the 3G towers that the 2013 would need to connect to are gone. In this case
just press the SOS button again to clear the system. Next to the SOS button are a couple of lights that should now be dark. Is the Red light on or does it come on during this exercise?
Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 68
Likes: 13
From: MA
I have the exact same issue. 2013 ES350 UL with 165K miles. I have owned the car since new and maintained it meticulously. Recently the radio issue as described here has started. I will follow this thread with interest to see if anyone diagnoses and solves the problem. This forum is great.
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Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 74
Likes: 13
From: Fl
the SOS symbol is illuminated all the time, The 2 small dot lights to the right of the SOS symbol should be off all the time unless you push the SOS switch
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Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,273
Likes: 1,213
From: IL
The now obsolete SOS Safety Connect system (on 2010 through 2017 Lexus) had two lights flanking the button.
Both should be dark now, left light was solid Green during the trials of various lengths and if subscribed, same light
would be blinking Green when an actual connection was active. The right light was Red and would illuminate when
the specific vehicle had a wiring or component failure. When the 3G towers when away so did all the devices that
were tuned to them. Lexus and others did not make any upfit or refit plans to bridge to the 4G or now 5G systems.
Current new models include the phrase "4G Network Dependent" on the sticker.
Before coming over to Lexus from Chevrolet I had an Impala. When it was out of warrantee it began to drain the
battery very quickly. OK, new battery. No good, turned out to be the On-Star telecommunication module.
Well, let's pull the fuse! Nope, then you will have no stereo. $400 later it was fixed up for a system I was not
subscribed to! %&#$
Both should be dark now, left light was solid Green during the trials of various lengths and if subscribed, same light
would be blinking Green when an actual connection was active. The right light was Red and would illuminate when
the specific vehicle had a wiring or component failure. When the 3G towers when away so did all the devices that
were tuned to them. Lexus and others did not make any upfit or refit plans to bridge to the 4G or now 5G systems.
Current new models include the phrase "4G Network Dependent" on the sticker.
Before coming over to Lexus from Chevrolet I had an Impala. When it was out of warrantee it began to drain the
battery very quickly. OK, new battery. No good, turned out to be the On-Star telecommunication module.
Well, let's pull the fuse! Nope, then you will have no stereo. $400 later it was fixed up for a system I was not
subscribed to! %&#$
If any of you find one, please post it. Also, Mhn, please let us know if you send your amp to United Radio and if that works out. Take care guys. Have a good summer.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 74
Likes: 13
From: Fl
So an update on my audio issue with my Mark Levinson radio problem in my 2013 Es 350 . There is a continuous intermittent problem with the audio working for a few days and then silent until several stop start of the engine and back on again. Yesterday there was a super loud pop-cracking sound from the speakers and radio stopped working. I thought for sure that was it but, today the radio is working again lol.
So I found a reliable repair source that has been repairing Mark Levinson car audio products since 2013, " OEM Audio " repair in Manlius ,NY, They said my issue is most likely the amplifier with the intermittent issue happening. They charge $575 to diagnose and repair the amplifier, that includes shipping both ways. The repair is warrantied for a year. If the amplifier checks out ok then the only charge is the cost to ship it back to you. I'll probably send it to them when I finally get frustrated with increasing intermittent radio failure. They are more reasonable then United Radio and very easy to communicate with the owner of the company.
So I found a reliable repair source that has been repairing Mark Levinson car audio products since 2013, " OEM Audio " repair in Manlius ,NY, They said my issue is most likely the amplifier with the intermittent issue happening. They charge $575 to diagnose and repair the amplifier, that includes shipping both ways. The repair is warrantied for a year. If the amplifier checks out ok then the only charge is the cost to ship it back to you. I'll probably send it to them when I finally get frustrated with increasing intermittent radio failure. They are more reasonable then United Radio and very easy to communicate with the owner of the company.
Last edited by vetdoc; Jun 25, 2025 at 06:38 PM.
Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 68
Likes: 13
From: MA
Thanks for the update. Please keep us apprised of how this goes if you do it. I'm in the Boston area but my car is in Puerto Rico. I may try to get this done while I am there after the first of the year. Is it difficult to remove/replace the amp? Also, did he mention the turn-around time? Thx.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 74
Likes: 13
From: Fl
It's not difficult to remove the amp. It's located under the drivers seat in the 2013 ES. One bolt holds the cover on and then disconnect 2 connectors. The turn around time is about 5-7 days once they receive the amp repair it and send it back.
Last edited by vetdoc; Jun 26, 2025 at 06:50 PM.