I have a 97 es300 and the LCD was blackened out on the radio so took it out to try and replace it with a 2000 radio. I plugged the new one in but got no power (I'm pretty sure I wired it right but not 100% positive) So then I just plugged my old one back in for the meantime but then this one didn't have power either, totally dead. Sat around and thought for awhile and realized I forgot to disconnect my battery. Therefore I can't think of anything other than it locked up due to the anti-theft deterrent system considering it was working perfectly fine before.

I'm not the original owner of this car so I'm not sure if the codes were changed or not. I called the local Lexus dealer and they said bring it in and they'd clear the code for $35. So I took it there and the guy tells me its not the code, my radio is dead and I'll have to get a new one. I think thats total BS and that the dealer is just trying to make some money. Is there anyway I could test my radio to prove them wrong?

I only have one lexus dealer in the state so I called another one about 3 hrs away. They said they can't pull any codes and that I'd have to bring the car in because they have to hook something up to the engine.

So at this point I'm pretty lost on what to do. Can anyone please give me any ideas on what I can try? Is the radio itself locked or does the car lock up the radio function?

Any help or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks