I have a 2004 & would like to add bluetooth capability (only models after 2005 have it from the factory).

Does anybody have any recommendations as to what to buy & install? Assuming it is interconnected into the audio system, will that invalidate the warantee? (my SC is just certified). In general, are Lexus **** about using aftermarket product interconnections as an excuse not to respect the warantee?

steve

 

Excuse?

If you splice some aftermarket electronic device into the Lexus audio and NAV system, why would you expect Lexus to fix a problem that later develops in those systems?

The warranty covers the parts described in the warranty contract. If you alter them, you bear that risk.

This is not an excuse or a loophole; this is the contract you paid for.

 

Anyone give you a direction as to where you can get a retrofit bluetooth kit for '04 SC430?

 

I'm very pleased with the Motorola IHF1000. I've had it installed in my 2003 for about a year now; no problems with it. Used it with my Motorola Razr and now with my Palm Treo. Has voice-dialing, all voice-activated menus, even speaks the caller-ID to you when the phone rings (optional).

IHF1000 at Motorola's website

Almost invisible installation, except for the little 5-button interface module. I had the interface module installed on the center console, behind the ECT and VSC buttons. I've posted this picture before in another thread but, it looks like this....

Bluetooth Interface Installed

It works completely independent of the audio and NAV system. It has a "radio mute" line so, if you can find this connection in the SC430 (I haven't yet), it'll automatically mute the radio when the phone rings. If someone here knows an easy place to access the audio mute line in the SC430, I'd love to know. But, for me at least, it's not the end of the world to just turn the radio down when the phone rings.

 

The attached portion of the audio system diagram for the 2003 SC430 shows a mute connection in the wiring harness connector that would plug into the optional dealer installed "telephone computer". You should be able to connect your phone kit's mute wire to the pin in this connector or splice into the wire that leads to it.

In the 95-00 LS, there is a phone handset connector on the drivers side under the rear of the center console. This connector has a mute pin and all one has to do to connect a phone kit to it is to plunge the phone kit's mute wire into the appropriate hole containing the mute pin and then secure the phone kit mute wire with a plastic wire tie.

Edit 03/28/09: The 12 pin phone connector under the console of the SC430 does not have a mute pin but the connector can be used to pass mute and other signals from the other end of the phone cable in the trunk near the amplifier.

If there is a similar handset connector in your SC, it is possible that it contains a mute pin. There might also be a mute wire on either your audio system's radio or amp but it is probably safer to tap into the pre-wired phone system.

You can confirm that you found the correct mute pin by probing the pins in the pre-wired phone connector with an unpowered, grounded test light while the radio is playing. When you find the correct pin, the radio will mute.

I missed a lot of phone calls while listening to music before I figured this out.

BTW, most Toyota products have a fairly easily accessible audio system mute pin. After I figured it out on my LS, I connected a phone kit's mute wire to a mute pin on the data port on the radio in my wife's Camry.

The attached wiring diagram is from the ARRC Auto Repair Reference Center which can be accessed from many public libraries.

Be sure to tell us if you successfully connect your phone kit to mute your audio system and how you did it.