My problem is that the Changer will not accept the magazine and pull it down. The light does not blink but stays on. I've tried pulling the door shut firmly to make sure the shinny metal tab is depressed telling it that the door is shut. I even held the tab with a pen to make sure it was seeing the door shut even though I had the door open. The magazine looks fine and is fully engaging the black tab underneath the magazine. I have disconnected the battery and waited 10 minutes and have also pushed on the rest button within the changer. Holding the eject button down for a few seconds should activate it so it would start blinking but nothing happens. This is a remainufactured changer that I bought from the dealer thinking it was the changer but it still does the same thing. I bought the car with it not working so I do not know the history of it so I thought by buying a new changer it should have taken care of everything. Am I missing anything simple. Pushing the receiver CD button inside the car does nothing at all either. Radio and tape work great. Any suggestions?

TrboHead

 

To all and I hope this helps. As you all realize Lexus has the market locket down as far integrating 3rd party changers. I have an 94 SC-300, with a 12 disc Panasonic changer. To date the only way to fix the problem it to exchange your broken one with a re-furbished unit at your Lexus dealership. I have heard prices ranging from $500.00 to $350.00. I sent mine back to United Radio http://www.unitedradio.com/ They are set up to repair a lot of Lexus Changers. They replaced the optics on mine for about $229.00, however it didn't get fixed right the first time ,but they did take care of me. You will be amazed how good your changer can sound once the Laser is aligned properly. They are located in E. Syracuse, NY. Their phone number is on United Radio's page, good luck.

Nobb

 

Do you hear anything like whirring of motors? If not, you may need to just get another unit. It still may be defective. The loading signal and mechanism is totally isolated to the changer, so I don't think this is a sign of a larger system wide problem. You can find working changers for much cheaper on ebay.

 

TrboHead,

Have you tried to unplug the changer and reset the entire thing. The plug harness is on the fender side.

MW

 

Nobb,

From my understanding, there is a board that need to be changed with the optics. The later models were redesigned and have a more durable anti-skip mechanism. The kit to accomplish this is pretty pricey. If united can do all of this and alignment for $229 then that is a great deal. If you did not get the board swap, then you will undoubtedly have the issue again.

MW

 

I have disconnect the battery but not the plug on the fender. Where exactly would the plug be on the fender? I have disconnected the plug from the changer and reset it there(back right quarter panal).

Also, I do not here the motor or anything letting me know it is trying to do anything. The eject button does not even blink but it is on all the time. Do you think I have another bad unit? I can try to take it back for another.

TrboHead

 

Yeah,

It is dead. The plug I referred to earlier is the changer plug...

I would ask them to replace it and refund you some cash for any discs you have stuck in there.

MW

 

is it possible to change out the 12 disc changer (i have the chronic skipping problem) without changing out the amp or speakers?

 

Check out this link and go the Technical Info and then #9 CD Changer removal.

http://www.lexus.australia.as/entry.htm

It has a homemade version of cushioning the changer so it will not skip. If I can just get mine to work I will try this.

TrboHead

 

Good news....

I took the changer back to the dealer for another one and fixed all my problems. I had a bad Changer from the dealer as well as my original unit.

I had to check the A plug A4 for a positive battery voltage going to the changer and also check A9 to ground to check continuity. If I was getting current to A4 then I knew the receiver(head unit) was working and by checking the ground A9 I knew the changer was grounding. These wires BTW are the only conections that give the changer power in order to eject or receive the magazines. All the other wires are for other signals.

TrboHead

95' SC 300
87' GN

 

To MW,

Don't know much about the "board" you speak of. The tech guys at United Radio state that the 12 disk changer doesn't have much of a buffer system to correct skipping problems. What I do know is that the set of optics that are used for replacements are cheap and mass produced. Also there is a misconception that the optics will last for ever. I went through a set in two and one half years, but I used my CD player "all" the time and never listen to the radio. As for now the changer works perfect, and never skips and also sound fantastic. United Radio offers a 1 year warranty, parts and labor, which is the same that Lexus gives if you participate in their trade in program. If you have any technical info about the board you speak of, please pass it along. It might prove to be handy if I incur problems down the road. Have a good Holiday.

Nobb

 

Nobb,

I will find the post for you. From my understanding of what the tech wrote, there was a better model component board in the later changers. The change in manufacturering in 1996+ aided in less skipping issues. I have had a 1992 and a 1996 changer and they are different internally. I could not tell you exactly how or how much because I never became an EE. With that said, I believe that these optics wear out and need replacement, however, every 2 years is a bit much.

Thanks for the info... I am sure United Radio appreciates your advertisement .

MW