Hi Everyone,

As the title suggests I'm looking for info regarding CD Changer compatibility across the different years/specs/regions.

I understand that the radio/cd changer complete unit is different if the car has navigation or the ML stereo etc BUT the 6 CD changer unit itself, (just the little black box which CAN be removed from the main unit) is THAT part exactly the same across all the models, regions and specs (and perhaps across other Toyota models)?

I really don't see why they would be a different unit. CDS are not region locked and that actual little CD player box looks identical across all the models (as best I can see).

For context, I have a 2003, Australian delivered, pre-facelift with navigation and the ML stereo. My CD changer is beyond repair. It was jammed up when I got the car and the internals are actually damaged, not just jammed. Because I'm a cheapo I want to repair it for as little as possible and I'm trying to find a CD player unit anywhere in the world for the lowest price BUT I'm not completely sure that they are all going to be the same.

Anyone have any experience?

And - does anyone have a CD player they want to sell to me cheap (shipped to Australia)?

 

Mark Levinson.

(otherwise, it will not register in a search for items that have that product)

 

You'll want to look at the specific part number at the bottom of the CD changer metal casing, but the pioneer CD changer core itself are usually the same across all LS430s. You might run into issues when reassembling the unit, as I've swapped out a CD changer before and apparently ran into an error 3, as well as the unit itself thinking that there's 6 discs loaded when there is in fact none.
If you want minimum headache then you're better off just buying the whole unit, tape deck+CD changer and just plug that in. It's hard to come by stores that sell the latter separately unless you order from china.

 

The ML systems had 2 different sets of connectors, so check yours for the part number and take a photo of the connectors to make sure that the one you buy will fit.
The naming "convention" for the 2 types are 5+7 (typically on older models from 2000-2003) and 6+6 (typically on facelift models from 2003-2006).
Taking the radio unit out only takes a few minutes once you know how (see videos online) but worth doing to check rather than wasting money one something that won't fit.