What is this black box?

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Oct 15, 2014 | 07:03 AM

Jofosho

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From: Florida

What is this black box?

2"x2" black box( look like a speaker or microphone) above drivers side door. Any ideas? Thanks!

Just bought car yesterday

Oct 15, 2014 | 07:16 AM

Jofosho

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From: Florida

Oct 15, 2014 | 07:17 AM

Jofosho

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From: Florida

looked up the SMN serial number and it turns out it is a microphone but I am clueless as to what it goes to. It was in my 98 ls400

Oct 15, 2014 | 08:26 AM

mappo

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From: MD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jofosho

looked up the SMN serial number and it turns out it is a microphone but I am clueless as to what it goes to. It was in my 98 ls400

The previous owner probably had some kind of aftermarket hands-free setup for his phone.

Oct 15, 2014 | 09:10 AM

RugbyDad

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From: NY

^^^+1. Most definitely aftermarket.

Oct 15, 2014 | 10:04 AM

RA40

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That "M" logo gives it away.
Looks like this one on that auction site:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-O-S-Motorola-Hands-Free-Microphone-Mic-SMN4020B-/121426456201?pt=US_Radio_Comm_Microphones&hash=item1c4594ae89

Oct 15, 2014 | 10:23 AM

billydpowe

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it is an emergency switch that is wired into your sunroof and electric seat, if you see you are going to have a accident, just yell and it will open your roof and eject you.... why didnt Lexus think of that???
well when your over 80, retired and bored, you just kill time,,, anyway it is free..

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Oct 15, 2014 | 06:31 PM

sha4000

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From: N.Y.

I could tell it was a mike just from its positioning. Hopefully it still works so you can have bluetooth.

Last edited by sha4000; Oct 16, 2014 at 01:55 PM.

Oct 16, 2014 | 05:19 AM

#10

billydpowe

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From: texas

yep, just in an unusually good mood yesterday

Oct 22, 2014 | 06:05 PM

#11

Jofosho

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From: Florida

Did a little investigating today on where this little black boxes led to..and I found another box..any ideas? I looked up all the serial numbers and am lost. Looks like the old phone connections of something. But Center Console has no phone in it. and there is no traces of a phone in the center console..wires,holes, nothing. Let me know what y'all think! thanks

Oct 22, 2014 | 06:09 PM

#12

Jofosho

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From: Florida

front seat

rear seat. chased it across the car

look what I found!

finally found it in the trunk

here is a close up.

bundle of wires that are not connected to anything

Oct 22, 2014 | 06:35 PM

#13

sha4000

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They removed the factory phone out of the armrest and pulled the receiver out of the passenger side of the trunk. Then they hooked their own hands free receiver up using the connections you see on top of the black box in the trunk. That has to be a really old set up.

Attached Thumbnails

What is this black box?-ls400-phone-ecu.jpg

Last edited by sha4000; Oct 22, 2014 at 06:39 PM.

Oct 22, 2014 | 06:35 PM

#14

ExiledWolf84

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From: Colorado

That bundle of wires connected to nothing should be the factory pre-wiring for the Lexus cell phone, which is present in all (or at least some) cars, cell phone or not

Oct 22, 2014 | 07:21 PM

#15

Jofosho

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From: Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by sha4000

Thanks for the info! Thats really cool. I didnt know that.. I guess my main question is. Since there is a microphone over my head in the drivers seat(little black box) is it possible to hook up bluetooth somehow for my phone? I just don't understand the point of the microphone connected to this box that does nothing..or am I just missing the phone in the arm rest and they installed aftermarket microphone so they didnt have to touch the phone..?

thanks a million for reply!