Head/Infotainment unit failure, 2017 RX Exec
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
Head/Infotainment unit failure, 2017 RX Exec
Hi
2017 RX 350 Executive we've had for a year, flawless so far, really love the car
Got it serviced and the Nav map updated at the dealer on a Friday, on the Wednesday following the buttons for the climate control were not lit up or functional, and no interior temp displays.
Climate control system still worked through the mouse and screen, radio worked fine
Code on Carista is 'B15F9 UART Communication Malfunction (for A/C)' in the Navigation ECU
Disconnected the battery for an hour and a garbled temp display came up plus the 'auto' light (both of which won't shut off now), but still the buttons were dead
Took it into the dealer and they say the radio assembly is broken, say nothing to do with the Nav update. They've had it since Saturday and still trying to find the price and details of a replacement. Shudder to think what it's worth
We seem to be two weeks past the 4 year comprehensive warranty but did get a JLR extended warranty through the Jaguar Land Rover dealer we bought it from, have not used either yet
Questions, is it heard of for the head unit to fail this early, and did it have anything to do with the Nav update? Dealer says not related. Did work fine the first few days after
Will Lexus stretch past the warranty end date?
If we can't get it fixed right away, is the situation stable or will the unit fail more completely? At least now we can run the A/C and ventilation through the mouse and screen system
2017 RX 350 Executive we've had for a year, flawless so far, really love the car
Got it serviced and the Nav map updated at the dealer on a Friday, on the Wednesday following the buttons for the climate control were not lit up or functional, and no interior temp displays.
Climate control system still worked through the mouse and screen, radio worked fine
Code on Carista is 'B15F9 UART Communication Malfunction (for A/C)' in the Navigation ECU
Disconnected the battery for an hour and a garbled temp display came up plus the 'auto' light (both of which won't shut off now), but still the buttons were dead
Took it into the dealer and they say the radio assembly is broken, say nothing to do with the Nav update. They've had it since Saturday and still trying to find the price and details of a replacement. Shudder to think what it's worth
We seem to be two weeks past the 4 year comprehensive warranty but did get a JLR extended warranty through the Jaguar Land Rover dealer we bought it from, have not used either yet
Questions, is it heard of for the head unit to fail this early, and did it have anything to do with the Nav update? Dealer says not related. Did work fine the first few days after
Will Lexus stretch past the warranty end date?
If we can't get it fixed right away, is the situation stable or will the unit fail more completely? At least now we can run the A/C and ventilation through the mouse and screen system
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 345
From: Ontario, Canada
There were some problems with that year's head units, mine failed within 1 year and was replaced under warranty.
I would contact Lexus corporate if the dealer is giving you grief, though it may have nothing to do with the update it may have something to do with the technician that did it.
I would contact Lexus corporate if the dealer is giving you grief, though it may have nothing to do with the update it may have something to do with the technician that did it.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 429
Likes: 105
From: Florida
I had the head unit replaced on my 2007 RX. It was still under original factory warranty. And that's one of the reasons I always get the extended warranty.
If I remember right it was around 4500 dollars for a new head unit back in 2010.
If I remember right it was around 4500 dollars for a new head unit back in 2010.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
Ouch! Thanks. This is the Mark Levinson too. Hopefully Lexus or the extended will cover it
Did they gradually fail over time or was it a one and done type of thing?
Am wondering if there is trouble sourcing/replacing a replacement if I can run it for a while as is, or if the climate control will go totally wonky
Did they gradually fail over time or was it a one and done type of thing?
Am wondering if there is trouble sourcing/replacing a replacement if I can run it for a while as is, or if the climate control will go totally wonky
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 345
From: Ontario, Canada
Ouch! Thanks. This is the Mark Levinson too. Hopefully Lexus or the extended will cover it
Did they gradually fail over time or was it a one and done type of thing?
Am wondering if there is trouble sourcing/replacing a replacement if I can run it for a while as is, or if the climate control will go totally wonky
Did they gradually fail over time or was it a one and done type of thing?
Am wondering if there is trouble sourcing/replacing a replacement if I can run it for a while as is, or if the climate control will go totally wonky
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 429
Likes: 105
From: Florida
Not sure about the 4th Gen RX. But I owned a 2nd Gen ISF. And they had an issue where the touch screen would no longer work. So many issues that companies started to make replacement Nav Screens.
There were also a couple companies that did repairs.
Navigation Radio Repair Service (maxxindustries.net)
About Navigation Screen Repair - Auto Technology Repair
There were also a couple companies that did repairs.
Navigation Radio Repair Service (maxxindustries.net)
About Navigation Screen Repair - Auto Technology Repair
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1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 3
From: IL
17 RX350 Radio Head Unit / Black Screen Failure
Long winded, but hopefully useful to others.
Performed a water pump replacement on our RX & disconnected the battery to remove the ECU for clearance. Upon reconnecting the battery, the radio / infotainment screen didn't come back w/ the scan tool showing no comm to the module.
Post failure, went through some Radio reboot procedures I found, no response. Did a subscription to All-Data for the wiring diagrams, the many fuses associated with the system checked good. DC was present (1 direct, 2 indirect switched inputs) to the radio connector. Checked w/ a neighbor who owns/works on many Toyota/Lexus models, he never heard of the issue. He checked with a Lexus mechanic friend, and yes they've seen this before. They attempt to find a available unit here in the Chicago area, that came up empty.
For the friend's Lexus dealership (not my dealer) to send the unit out for repair, the price tag came out to $2700...some dealers send it back to the OEM Pioneer radio facility.
In parallel, I searched out auto electronic repair facilities; found - one west coast, one east coast (NY state). Talked to the east coast facility, the owner was very familiar with the failure mode. Vintages of Pioneer radios can experience a latent failure which will only rear it's head when DC power is cycled. The radio head unit will not reboot when DC is cycled due to the failure. Our RX has never had the DC system cycled up to this point, I float the DC system with a variable supply when replacing a battery. He also recognized my dealer as some will use his non-OEM repair facility. Was slightly higher in price for the board replacement than the west coast, but the list of models repaired, published turnaround time and talking with the owner swayed me that way.
Pulled out and boxed the radio/climate cluster unit up & shipped via the provided label via USPS (not surprising, USPS was a bit slow). Upon arrival, took 1 day for repair and was shipped via UPS on the way back. Received it in 2 days & back installed in about 10 minutes. Went through the initial system boot-up step using the accessory mode (don't start the engine). Took less than a minute for the boot-up to complete and the display came back.
All aspects of the radio came back (radio presets, vehicle maintenance, map destinations, etc). The only item needing resetting was sync'g the phone Bluetooth.
Performed a water pump replacement on our RX & disconnected the battery to remove the ECU for clearance. Upon reconnecting the battery, the radio / infotainment screen didn't come back w/ the scan tool showing no comm to the module.
Post failure, went through some Radio reboot procedures I found, no response. Did a subscription to All-Data for the wiring diagrams, the many fuses associated with the system checked good. DC was present (1 direct, 2 indirect switched inputs) to the radio connector. Checked w/ a neighbor who owns/works on many Toyota/Lexus models, he never heard of the issue. He checked with a Lexus mechanic friend, and yes they've seen this before. They attempt to find a available unit here in the Chicago area, that came up empty.
For the friend's Lexus dealership (not my dealer) to send the unit out for repair, the price tag came out to $2700...some dealers send it back to the OEM Pioneer radio facility.
In parallel, I searched out auto electronic repair facilities; found - one west coast, one east coast (NY state). Talked to the east coast facility, the owner was very familiar with the failure mode. Vintages of Pioneer radios can experience a latent failure which will only rear it's head when DC power is cycled. The radio head unit will not reboot when DC is cycled due to the failure. Our RX has never had the DC system cycled up to this point, I float the DC system with a variable supply when replacing a battery. He also recognized my dealer as some will use his non-OEM repair facility. Was slightly higher in price for the board replacement than the west coast, but the list of models repaired, published turnaround time and talking with the owner swayed me that way.
Pulled out and boxed the radio/climate cluster unit up & shipped via the provided label via USPS (not surprising, USPS was a bit slow). Upon arrival, took 1 day for repair and was shipped via UPS on the way back. Received it in 2 days & back installed in about 10 minutes. Went through the initial system boot-up step using the accessory mode (don't start the engine). Took less than a minute for the boot-up to complete and the display came back.
All aspects of the radio came back (radio presets, vehicle maintenance, map destinations, etc). The only item needing resetting was sync'g the phone Bluetooth.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 9
From: California
2016 f-sport mark levinson. Changed the battery 3 years ago and the stereo/ ac was DOA right after.
Found a company on ebay that fixed them for around 500 bucks, they said they get them doa like mine every other month or so. Had it back and running in a week.
20 years of auto experience in shops and I have never seen anything like that. The stereo is super easy to take out.
It wasnt a big deal, but some of the prices for a head unit were eye watering.
Found a company on ebay that fixed them for around 500 bucks, they said they get them doa like mine every other month or so. Had it back and running in a week.
20 years of auto experience in shops and I have never seen anything like that. The stereo is super easy to take out.
It wasnt a big deal, but some of the prices for a head unit were eye watering.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 992
Likes: 133
From: MN
Long winded, but hopefully useful to others.
Performed a water pump replacement on our RX & disconnected the battery to remove the ECU for clearance. Upon reconnecting the battery, the radio / infotainment screen didn't come back w/ the scan tool showing no comm to the module.
Post failure, went through some Radio reboot procedures I found, no response. Did a subscription to All-Data for the wiring diagrams, the many fuses associated with the system checked good. DC was present (1 direct, 2 indirect switched inputs) to the radio connector. Checked w/ a neighbor who owns/works on many Toyota/Lexus models, he never heard of the issue. He checked with a Lexus mechanic friend, and yes they've seen this before. They attempt to find a available unit here in the Chicago area, that came up empty.
For the friend's Lexus dealership (not my dealer) to send the unit out for repair, the price tag came out to $2700...some dealers send it back to the OEM Pioneer radio facility.
In parallel, I searched out auto electronic repair facilities; found - one west coast, one east coast (NY state). Talked to the east coast facility, the owner was very familiar with the failure mode. Vintages of Pioneer radios can experience a latent failure which will only rear it's head when DC power is cycled. The radio head unit will not reboot when DC is cycled due to the failure. Our RX has never had the DC system cycled up to this point, I float the DC system with a variable supply when replacing a battery. He also recognized my dealer as some will use his non-OEM repair facility. Was slightly higher in price for the board replacement than the west coast, but the list of models repaired, published turnaround time and talking with the owner swayed me that way.
Pulled out and boxed the radio/climate cluster unit up & shipped via the provided label via USPS (not surprising, USPS was a bit slow). Upon arrival, took 1 day for repair and was shipped via UPS on the way back. Received it in 2 days & back installed in about 10 minutes. Went through the initial system boot-up step using the accessory mode (don't start the engine). Took less than a minute for the boot-up to complete and the display came back.
All aspects of the radio came back (radio presets, vehicle maintenance, map destinations, etc). The only item needing resetting was sync'g the phone Bluetooth.
Performed a water pump replacement on our RX & disconnected the battery to remove the ECU for clearance. Upon reconnecting the battery, the radio / infotainment screen didn't come back w/ the scan tool showing no comm to the module.
Post failure, went through some Radio reboot procedures I found, no response. Did a subscription to All-Data for the wiring diagrams, the many fuses associated with the system checked good. DC was present (1 direct, 2 indirect switched inputs) to the radio connector. Checked w/ a neighbor who owns/works on many Toyota/Lexus models, he never heard of the issue. He checked with a Lexus mechanic friend, and yes they've seen this before. They attempt to find a available unit here in the Chicago area, that came up empty.
For the friend's Lexus dealership (not my dealer) to send the unit out for repair, the price tag came out to $2700...some dealers send it back to the OEM Pioneer radio facility.
In parallel, I searched out auto electronic repair facilities; found - one west coast, one east coast (NY state). Talked to the east coast facility, the owner was very familiar with the failure mode. Vintages of Pioneer radios can experience a latent failure which will only rear it's head when DC power is cycled. The radio head unit will not reboot when DC is cycled due to the failure. Our RX has never had the DC system cycled up to this point, I float the DC system with a variable supply when replacing a battery. He also recognized my dealer as some will use his non-OEM repair facility. Was slightly higher in price for the board replacement than the west coast, but the list of models repaired, published turnaround time and talking with the owner swayed me that way.
Pulled out and boxed the radio/climate cluster unit up & shipped via the provided label via USPS (not surprising, USPS was a bit slow). Upon arrival, took 1 day for repair and was shipped via UPS on the way back. Received it in 2 days & back installed in about 10 minutes. Went through the initial system boot-up step using the accessory mode (don't start the engine). Took less than a minute for the boot-up to complete and the display came back.
All aspects of the radio came back (radio presets, vehicle maintenance, map destinations, etc). The only item needing resetting was sync'g the phone Bluetooth.
any chance you might be able to share the place you sent it to, or the west coast one for information. I would like to keep this in case I need this service in the future, I'm sure others would as well. thanks
what was your ballpark price for the repair ??
thanks for your time, and again for the information
17 lux with the ML here as well..
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 895
Likes: 56
From: IL
Long winded, but hopefully useful to others.
Performed a water pump replacement on our RX & disconnected the battery to remove the ECU for clearance. Upon reconnecting the battery, the radio / infotainment screen didn't come back w/ the scan tool showing no comm to the module.
Post failure, went through some Radio reboot procedures I found, no response. Did a subscription to All-Data for the wiring diagrams, the many fuses associated with the system checked good. DC was present (1 direct, 2 indirect switched inputs) to the radio connector. Checked w/ a neighbor who owns/works on many Toyota/Lexus models, he never heard of the issue. He checked with a Lexus mechanic friend, and yes they've seen this before. They attempt to find a available unit here in the Chicago area, that came up empty.
For the friend's Lexus dealership (not my dealer) to send the unit out for repair, the price tag came out to $2700...some dealers send it back to the OEM Pioneer radio facility.
In parallel, I searched out auto electronic repair facilities; found - one west coast, one east coast (NY state). Talked to the east coast facility, the owner was very familiar with the failure mode. Vintages of Pioneer radios can experience a latent failure which will only rear it's head when DC power is cycled. The radio head unit will not reboot when DC is cycled due to the failure. Our RX has never had the DC system cycled up to this point, I float the DC system with a variable supply when replacing a battery. He also recognized my dealer as some will use his non-OEM repair facility. Was slightly higher in price for the board replacement than the west coast, but the list of models repaired, published turnaround time and talking with the owner swayed me that way.
Pulled out and boxed the radio/climate cluster unit up & shipped via the provided label via USPS (not surprising, USPS was a bit slow). Upon arrival, took 1 day for repair and was shipped via UPS on the way back. Received it in 2 days & back installed in about 10 minutes. Went through the initial system boot-up step using the accessory mode (don't start the engine). Took less than a minute for the boot-up to complete and the display came back.
All aspects of the radio came back (radio presets, vehicle maintenance, map destinations, etc). The only item needing resetting was sync'g the phone Bluetooth.
Performed a water pump replacement on our RX & disconnected the battery to remove the ECU for clearance. Upon reconnecting the battery, the radio / infotainment screen didn't come back w/ the scan tool showing no comm to the module.
Post failure, went through some Radio reboot procedures I found, no response. Did a subscription to All-Data for the wiring diagrams, the many fuses associated with the system checked good. DC was present (1 direct, 2 indirect switched inputs) to the radio connector. Checked w/ a neighbor who owns/works on many Toyota/Lexus models, he never heard of the issue. He checked with a Lexus mechanic friend, and yes they've seen this before. They attempt to find a available unit here in the Chicago area, that came up empty.
For the friend's Lexus dealership (not my dealer) to send the unit out for repair, the price tag came out to $2700...some dealers send it back to the OEM Pioneer radio facility.
In parallel, I searched out auto electronic repair facilities; found - one west coast, one east coast (NY state). Talked to the east coast facility, the owner was very familiar with the failure mode. Vintages of Pioneer radios can experience a latent failure which will only rear it's head when DC power is cycled. The radio head unit will not reboot when DC is cycled due to the failure. Our RX has never had the DC system cycled up to this point, I float the DC system with a variable supply when replacing a battery. He also recognized my dealer as some will use his non-OEM repair facility. Was slightly higher in price for the board replacement than the west coast, but the list of models repaired, published turnaround time and talking with the owner swayed me that way.
Pulled out and boxed the radio/climate cluster unit up & shipped via the provided label via USPS (not surprising, USPS was a bit slow). Upon arrival, took 1 day for repair and was shipped via UPS on the way back. Received it in 2 days & back installed in about 10 minutes. Went through the initial system boot-up step using the accessory mode (don't start the engine). Took less than a minute for the boot-up to complete and the display came back.
All aspects of the radio came back (radio presets, vehicle maintenance, map destinations, etc). The only item needing resetting was sync'g the phone Bluetooth.
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