2002 IS 300: bad CD player?
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Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Maryland
2002 IS 300: bad CD player?
I have a friend who just bought a 2002 IS300, and is not yet able to log in to the CL forums. So, I'm posting for him.
He just bought a 2002 IS 300, but the in-dash 6CD changer won't allow him to insert discs. The error message is 'error3'.
Is this a common problem with this model year?
The dealer he bought it from will cover some or all of the costs to replace the unit...and Lexus wants $600.
For that amount, Tweeter already said they could get him into an aftermarket Pioneer or Kenwood head unit WITH a 6-disc changer in the trunk for about $700.
Should he just go aftermarket at this point, or is the stock Lexus in-dash unit worth replacing for about $600?
He just bought a 2002 IS 300, but the in-dash 6CD changer won't allow him to insert discs. The error message is 'error3'.
Is this a common problem with this model year?
The dealer he bought it from will cover some or all of the costs to replace the unit...and Lexus wants $600.
For that amount, Tweeter already said they could get him into an aftermarket Pioneer or Kenwood head unit WITH a 6-disc changer in the trunk for about $700.
Should he just go aftermarket at this point, or is the stock Lexus in-dash unit worth replacing for about $600?
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,393
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From: Maryland
How long did you head unit last before you had to replace it because of this malfunction?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,468
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From: Vancouver, BC
the car is an 01, and i just had it replaced iiiiiiiiiin .... february of this year ... so ~6yrs i guess
when i went to look into aftermarket, it was really expecnvice because of the shape of the centre dash; apparently there's a lot of custom work that needs fabricating. $700 is probably just for the unit and basic instal, i took mine to an audio shop and they looked at it, and then the guy who would do the installing came out and had a look too: end result is over a grand to go custom, and the actual head unit wasnt going to be as good. i care about sound quality and i definately wasnt intereseted in paying more for less ... i went to lexus
when i went to look into aftermarket, it was really expecnvice because of the shape of the centre dash; apparently there's a lot of custom work that needs fabricating. $700 is probably just for the unit and basic instal, i took mine to an audio shop and they looked at it, and then the guy who would do the installing came out and had a look too: end result is over a grand to go custom, and the actual head unit wasnt going to be as good. i care about sound quality and i definately wasnt intereseted in paying more for less ... i went to lexus
the car is an 01, and i just had it replaced iiiiiiiiiin .... february of this year ... so ~6yrs i guess
when i went to look into aftermarket, it was really expecnvice because of the shape of the centre dash; apparently there's a lot of custom work that needs fabricating. $700 is probably just for the unit and basic instal, i took mine to an audio shop and they looked at it, and then the guy who would do the installing came out and had a look too: end result is over a grand to go custom, and the actual head unit wasnt going to be as good. i care about sound quality and i definately wasnt intereseted in paying more for less ... i went to lexus
when i went to look into aftermarket, it was really expecnvice because of the shape of the centre dash; apparently there's a lot of custom work that needs fabricating. $700 is probably just for the unit and basic instal, i took mine to an audio shop and they looked at it, and then the guy who would do the installing came out and had a look too: end result is over a grand to go custom, and the actual head unit wasnt going to be as good. i care about sound quality and i definately wasnt intereseted in paying more for less ... i went to lexus
http://www.lextasy.com/is300_radio_plate_1282_prd1.htm
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,393
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
the car is an 01, and i just had it replaced iiiiiiiiiin .... february of this year ... so ~6yrs i guess
when i went to look into aftermarket, it was really expecnvice because of the shape of the centre dash; apparently there's a lot of custom work that needs fabricating. $700 is probably just for the unit and basic instal, i took mine to an audio shop and they looked at it, and then the guy who would do the installing came out and had a look too: end result is over a grand to go custom, and the actual head unit wasnt going to be as good. i care about sound quality and i definately wasnt intereseted in paying more for less ... i went to lexus
when i went to look into aftermarket, it was really expecnvice because of the shape of the centre dash; apparently there's a lot of custom work that needs fabricating. $700 is probably just for the unit and basic instal, i took mine to an audio shop and they looked at it, and then the guy who would do the installing came out and had a look too: end result is over a grand to go custom, and the actual head unit wasnt going to be as good. i care about sound quality and i definately wasnt intereseted in paying more for less ... i went to lexus
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Lexus Fanatic
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From: Vancouver, BC
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Georgia
In my PERSONAL opinion I would suggest eventually going aftermarket. I had 3 players replaced in my IS before going aftermarket. I got tired of not being able to listen to my burnt cd's which was part of the problem. The IS stock unit will play them for a while then says "uh uh". Some have good luck with the player and others don't. If you plan on modding your IS you could start with the cd player. 
Wouldn't hurt. I've got pics of my player if you're interested.
Wouldn't hurt. I've got pics of my player if you're interested.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 288
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From: CA
The CD changers in the IS are crap. It's one of the only real problems with the car, fortunately. If you go aftermarket, there are some considerations.
1. NAV - If you have NAV, you will need to relocate either the entire stock HU or a single circuit board from it somewhere else in the car. (The NAV relies on a relay in the HU to operate). Or you can buy Fargo's NAV module for $110 (price quoted June '07) shipped to the US. http://fargosys.com/html/sat_nav_bypass_module.html
2. Stock amp and rear speakers - The rear speakers are 2ohm and will sound like absolute crap if you run them directly off the aftermarket HU. So, you will have to leave the amp and speakers, or replace them both. The amp is either behind the glove box or in the passenger side kick panel. If you replace speakers, you will need to make mounting spacers.
3. Wiring harness - The Metra harness seems to be the only one that really works. EDIT: The Metra harness doesn't work on the '01.
4. Dash kit - If you go double din, the JDM kit is the only one that really looks clean. I haven't heard any feedback on single din kits.
1. NAV - If you have NAV, you will need to relocate either the entire stock HU or a single circuit board from it somewhere else in the car. (The NAV relies on a relay in the HU to operate). Or you can buy Fargo's NAV module for $110 (price quoted June '07) shipped to the US. http://fargosys.com/html/sat_nav_bypass_module.html
2. Stock amp and rear speakers - The rear speakers are 2ohm and will sound like absolute crap if you run them directly off the aftermarket HU. So, you will have to leave the amp and speakers, or replace them both. The amp is either behind the glove box or in the passenger side kick panel. If you replace speakers, you will need to make mounting spacers.
3. Wiring harness - The Metra harness seems to be the only one that really works. EDIT: The Metra harness doesn't work on the '01.
4. Dash kit - If you go double din, the JDM kit is the only one that really looks clean. I haven't heard any feedback on single din kits.
Last edited by btorok; Jun 21, 2007 at 09:16 AM.
The CD changers in the IS are crap. It's one of the only real problems with the car, fortunately. If you go aftermarket, there are some considerations.
1. NAV - If you have NAV, you will need to relocate either the entire stock HU or a single circuit board from it somewhere else in the car. (The NAV relies on a relay in the HU to operate). Or you can buy Fargo's NAV module for $110 (price quoted June '07) shipped to the US. http://fargosys.com/html/sat_nav_bypass_module.html
2. Stock amp and rear speakers - The rear speakers are 2ohm and will sound like absolute crap if you run them directly off the aftermarket HU. So, you will have to leave the amp and speakers, or replace them both. The amp is either behind the glove box or in the passenger side kick panel. If you replace speakers, you will need to make mounting spacers.
3. Wiring harness - The Metra harness seems to be the only one that really works.
4. Dash kit - If you go double din, the JDM kit is the only one that really looks clean. I haven't heard any feedback on single din kits.
1. NAV - If you have NAV, you will need to relocate either the entire stock HU or a single circuit board from it somewhere else in the car. (The NAV relies on a relay in the HU to operate). Or you can buy Fargo's NAV module for $110 (price quoted June '07) shipped to the US. http://fargosys.com/html/sat_nav_bypass_module.html
2. Stock amp and rear speakers - The rear speakers are 2ohm and will sound like absolute crap if you run them directly off the aftermarket HU. So, you will have to leave the amp and speakers, or replace them both. The amp is either behind the glove box or in the passenger side kick panel. If you replace speakers, you will need to make mounting spacers.
3. Wiring harness - The Metra harness seems to be the only one that really works.
4. Dash kit - If you go double din, the JDM kit is the only one that really looks clean. I haven't heard any feedback on single din kits.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 288
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From: CA
I'm pretty sure Circuit City carries them. They're pricey for a harness (around $80-100), but the only one that works without extra cutting and splicing.
Here's a link with some more info from .net
http://my.is/forums/f103/how-semi-co...nstall-331788/
Here's a link with some more info from .net
http://my.is/forums/f103/how-semi-co...nstall-331788/