Hi all. I am modding my car pc setup for my rx300 as detailed here:

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=67390

Anywho, since I put the 7" touchscreen up top I now have the blue climate control / info screen just hanging around behind the lcd. I got to thinking, hmm can it be hacked to give me the info so I can display it in windows. Well I disassembled the screen as seen in these pics:

http://www.adaminjapan.com/rx300/lcd

I then found out where the harness connects and it looks like it uses serial to talk to the NEC chip. I devised a little serial port device to try to sniff the traffic to the lcd to see whats going on. Now here is my problem, whenever I hook up the serial to the com port on my laptop the lcd screen freezes. Im new to all this so anyhelp would be greatly appreciated. I think I have something hooked up incorectly in terms of wiring my serial device.

 

Hi I can't help with the hacking but can tell you your trying to hack into a $1600 CAD screen and bezel part through Lexus.

Just thought I would throw in my $.02

 

Just out of curiosity, why would you want to bring that data to your monitor? Keeping the original function of the info screen would give you a dual display, freeing the PC monitor for GPS, video or other functions, without the necessity of constantly switching the display back and forth. Plus, it would save a good deal of programming to properly display the information too. As you've discovered, that blue data screen is nothing more than a digital display, not a monitor.

You might consider something like DeLorme's mapping software for a Nav system that would in some ways outperform the Lexus (Denso) Nav. Using a bluetooth connection to the satellite antenna - or wiring it for that matter - would give you an outstanding GPS mapping system for less than $200.

Downside of these systems is the lack of an inertial guidance platform (used on factory Nav's) that provides position data during satellite acquisition and data load, or maintain tracking in low-signal areas where the signal is blocked by trees, buildings, etc. Daily use around town could be kinda limited for this reason, but on a road trip - particularly into an unfamiliar area, it could be a big help.

The great benefit, particularly for long trips, would be the ability to develop all of the route information, including fuel and rest stops, specific POI's enroute, etc. on your desktop, store it on a pin drive or chip, and simply plug it into the car's PC. I used this system for several years on other cars and my RX 300 (before Nav became available) using a laptop - and found it hugely useful. You tend to explore the backroads more, without the worry of getting yourself lost. Unlike a conventional map, the GPS always provides a "You Are Here" pointer that is accurate to within a few yards.

 

Well unforuntaly my dash piece didnt work so I am making a new one. BTW it cost me 90USD including shipping for the dash, radio and info screen not 1600 canadian. Anywho I have thus given up on hacking the screen. Here is a preview of v2: