Hello everyone.

Kind of a weird problem, and hoping you can help narrow it down for me. Recently purchased my second LS 430, 2004 with ML / Nav. All seems to work well, except during, and while the car completes a left turn at a normally low speed as expected, the audio volume changes, usually gets quiet, to a setting of 12 all by itself. I have also had it go up to 40 by itself as well, so I have narrowed it down to a couple things: BTW, ASL is disabled

1. There is a bad contact within the steering column, or volume control buttons on the column. Could this be only a matter of disassembly and cleaning contacts, or replacing that volume control?

2. Could it be the amp going bad as it seems inevitable that it will die. It seems that I have to turn it up rather high (30+) to be able to hear and enjoy whatever I may be listening to at the time, considering the max out is 50.

I had an 01 that had a bad subwoofer, but that was self inflicted while rocking out, but the amp survived in it. ML as well.

Looking forward to you weigh ins. I searched the forums, but didn't find anything quiet like I am experiencing. Thanks!

 

If it is always during a turn, I would suspect the "clock spring". I think that is the name that Lexus uses, but someone else can correct it if it is not.

 

Are you sure that you're not touching the volume buttons on the left side of the steering wheel column during turn?

 

If it's only during left turn then it's not the amp, it's something in the steering column. I would say either the button is going bad OR there is a short somewhere in the column on that line. But I'm just an electronics tech who maintains 172 aircraft during combat operations, so I could be wrong, lol...

 

Thanks for your replies everyone! ultm8mind, that is where I am leaning, or the clock spring. As you well know tracing down shorts is no picnic. I used to be an auto tech, turned professional computer tech. Tom57 I wish it were that simple. The other day I slightly pulled on the steering wheel and the volume changed again on its own. I just wish I could narrow it down so I don't have to buy a bunch of parts. Think I will tear as much of the coverings of the column off, and drive it. Thanks again everyone!

 

Mackvision..did you ever figure out what the problem was? My 05 LS is having the same exact problem.

 

he hasnt logged on in over a year

 

This is a very easy fix.

Behind the steering wheel there is a circular control module. It has cables coming out of it leading to the steering controls.

This part becomes faulty. And needs to be changed.

Don't know the name. But I can tell you which one it is through a diagram.

 

So the circular control module needs to be changed? Alright I will try to get behind there and take a picture and you can point me to the module.

 

This is the Spiral Cable Sub-Assy that tHeKiNg911 is speaking of...

 

Alright cool Imma check that out. Appreciate the diagram rkw77080!!

 

Thanks RKW, that is the part I'm talking about. The spiral cable clock assembly.







This is the part number.





Part # 84306