anyone who has experienced this, I need your advice:

2 of my CDs got stuck in my 6-disc in dash; first one made a grinding noise, then "disappeared". When I ejected the rest, a second disc got stuck. I am out of warranty and want to fix this myself. Has anyone done this who can give me pointers? Thanks.

 

funny! the same thing just happened to me. the cd spindle misgrabbed the CDs and dropped them into the bottom of the changer...

here is what you need to do:

1. use a butter knife or really thin prying tool to pop open the lint tray on top of your dash. you will see two screws in there, undo them
2. pull the center AC vent piece up/toward you. it should pop out
3. you will see two bolts (10mm) undo them
4. pull the trac/heated seat button panel toward you to get it out. unplug the three harnesses connected to it.
5. find two more bolts (10mm) and undo them.

6. at this point the climate control/radio panel will be loose. get some masking tape and tape the gray/black trim around the radio.
7. lift the climate control/radio up and slightly out. unplug 6 harnesses and two antenna cables from the back
8. remove climate control/radio unit from the dash. BE CAREFUL as the metal sides of this unit can scratch up your dash.
9. unscrew the metal pieces holding the climate control to the radio.
10. find a small screw driver and undo 4 small screws holding the radio's cover to the case.
11. pull the case open, you will see your CDs in the bottom of the changer. figure out how to get them out. (i had to fiddle around with it until they would come out.)

reverse steps to reassemble. good luck, let me know if you have any other questions.

disclaimer: i will not be held responsible for any damage you do to your car attempting this fix. this is posted for informational purposes only.

 

haha....nice disclaimer...

 

Buy an aftermarket stereo.

It seems that the factory lexus head units are notorious for sticking and then dying.

 

got to.. you never know what can happen.

 

hey that happen to me also it ate up one of my cds made that grinding sound and that was it for the cd player and changer. IT wouldn't play any of the cds and it wouldn't eject them either.lucky im still under warrenty and just took it to the dealer and just got it replaced . I guess u can either spent ur money on a stock one or an aftermarket headunit. good luck with it

 

well once i took it apart and got my CDs out, the unit works fine again.

even if you get a new headunit, it will do the same thing again, eventually. it is a design issue.