Not sure if I am ready to take on this job! I am not a tech guy or anything. Actually, I am a wuss! Don't want to screw anything up! Think I am going to have to live with the voice recognition....oh no!

 

I finally did this mod. I had been using a 5.1/6.1 dvd and sonartech's mod for enabling the music and phone, etc. Recently got the 7.1 DVD and didn't want to go through the reburning hack again and when you disconnect the battery to load the dvd, you lose some of your customized LPS.

It seemed a pain to me to go through the routine, Menu, Volume, imaginary icon press 4 times, hold down the override, then the back icon.

Much simpler to just flip the switch, let the passenger make whatever change necessary, then flip the switch back.

I installed the switch in-line with the blue wire after relocating it per sonartech's mod. Located the switch under the dash next to the AFS switch.

The car gets lost momentarily but snaps right back to the correct location within 10 or 20 seconds.

The music and phone, etc are still enabled all the time.

Having tried the hybrid dvd method and this one, I prefer using the switch.

Thanks again to all who posted suggestions, instructions, etc. about this.

 

a t-shirt made for those that did this mod!

http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/generic/8f52/

 

I pulled out the park assist and left it floating behind the panel How often do you use that switch anyways? Never. So just replace it.

 

Unbelievable that some people would 'hack up' such a beautiful car....what is the advantage of disabling this function...maybe voiding your warranty.....??..What's next replacing the Nav system with a WalMart Garmin???

 

LexPaul,

We who did this hack did not disable a function but, on the other hand, we enabled a function that was previously disabled by Lexus.

By the way, I agree with your idea that replacing the Lexus NAV system with a Garmin is a good one because my Garmin 5000 is so much better than the Lexus Nav system in my 2007 ES350.

 

I agree with jerfitz, we're enabling our cars to do what they should have been able to do all along.

I can dial from my phone book and see MP3 filenames while driving. My wife can input addresses in the NAV without me pulling over. It is very handy.

As for warranty, it doesn't void it and when Lexus pulled my head display for another problem they couldn't care less about the mod. If I ever want to undo it, a simple reconnect of the speed wire, pull out the switch, and the car is factory original.

But I'll be keeping it as is. Beautiful AND functional.

 

Fellas, is the bypass good for 30 seconds or so (as it is in the GS) or is it unlimited?

 

The MP3 folder and phone book screens are unlimited. The destination screen lasts a shorter time that seems to be irregular to me. Sometimes it locks out (meaning I have to flip the switch to normal, wait a few seconds, then back to custom) after 30 seconds, sometimes it's a few minutes. I find I usually get a minute or longer. The interruption doesn't cancel what you're doing at the time. When you re-enable you simply pick up where you left off.

 

Same in the GS, there must be a way to trick the system.......

 

You mean like knowing where you want to go before you put the car in gear??? I was told this by a dealer, and I asked him when last time he drove with his wife or kids?? Always changing their minds where they want to end up, or whose house gets to have a party.

 

I just installed the switch and find it locking me out quite often (after using the disable switch). This is fairly inconvenient, I wish there was a way (as EyeKutr says) to trick the system better. I did the same thing with an Infiniti FX and this doesn't happen - the disable is effective as long as the switch is thrown.

Strange, but the hack does help a bit.

 

Yes, the GPS signal eventually overrides the non-functioning speed sensor to reenable the map lockouts. You have to turn the lockout off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on again. At least you don't lose whatever you were doing with the nav at the time (inputting an address, for example).

But you do always have full access to your music and phone screens. These lockouts are always disabled when your switch is thrown.

 

Hey Guys,

Did anyone lose voice guidance (no turn-by-turn directions) after this hack???

PLZ HELP!!

 

Anyone out there?!?!?!