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I recently installed a Garmin 61 NA LMT-S and BC 30 back up camera in my 2003 SC430 and after finding numerous advice threads I thought my experience would be helpful for others doing the same.
My oem satnav was faulty and would not read dvd discs, and bearing in mind the maps are out of date, and to install a back up camera to the oem screen costs a lot using the current methods available I chose to install the Garmin kit.
I removed the screen unit from the dash and the dvd and dvd amplifier unit from the trunk where I just zip tied the connectors in a bundle with the dvd antenna lead. Although removing the trunk unit is not necessary it removes the possibility of unrelated electrical faults in the future and saves current drain to the dvd unit. I have attached some photos to show my approach.
I disassembled the screen unit by removing the small screws holding the sides on and the 2 screws holding the tilt mechanism to the chassis holding the screen chassis unit. Remove the door and drive bar from the 2 clips, and set aside to prevent scratches etc. Remove the screen and bezel unit from the chassis - 4 screws . Lift bezel unit out of chassis and disconnect ribbon cable from screen electronics board to electronics board in base of chassis. This latter board stays as it controls the door and tilt. Remove bezel from screen sub chassis - clips along 3 edges and location clips along top edge. Remove 2 ribbon connectors between led electronics around inner edge of bezel and screen electronics board. Remove the electronics board around inner bezel and the plastic mounting for the led array. The bezel is now clean of all electronics. Remove the screen and its electronics board from the sub chassis - 4 screws. The sub chassis is now clean.
The Garmin 61 fits nicely into the bezel. I secured it using foam strip around the edge of the bezel which when stuck in was about 1/8 proud of the lip. I then positioned the Garmin on the foam and cut down with a razor blade around the edge. I was then able the remove the foam to the same edge as the bezel so making a snug lipped aperture for the Garmin to sit in. Depending on Garmin unit being installed remove the foam so as not to obscure the microphone. I also drilled a 1/16 hole in the front forward edge of the bezel where the Garmin microphone is located in the top left edge of the Garmin. Re attach the now clean screen sub chassis to the bezel. To hold the Garmin in the aperture I padded out from the back of the Garmin up to the screen sub chassis screw tabs with stiff foam, and to keep the foam in place inserted the screws that previously held the screen and electronics in the chassis. Attach the sub chassis to the main chassis. To get power to the unit I used an extension Mini USB to Mini USB cable as the Garmin cable used with the back up camera is not long enough to enable the wireless receiver in the cable to clear the unit when it is inserted back in the dash. By using an extension it also makes positioning the wireless receiver and the power connection from the car so much easier. I brought the power out of the back of the screen chassis by snipping out a small section of the chassis with wire cutters and using a grommet to make the cable safe. I also zip tied the cable to the chassis so movement did not pull the usb connector out of the unit when putting everything back together. I silicone greased the tracks and pivots and rack gear of the unit before assembling the head unit. I also checked every screw and fixing on the unit while I had it apart. After 17 years a number needed tightening.
I soldered a 12v socket and lead onto the dash harness wires to the connectors to the unit. Grey is 12v +ve(ACC and ON) and white/black in ground. You could use snap connectors. I had to reduce the gauge of the socket connectors to a smaller one to be able to solder them to the grey and white/black wires. I taped all connections to make them secure. After the head unit is installed the power leads and the wireless receiver slip easily to the right of the unit down by the glovebox. By keeping the wireless receiver well away from the head unit chassis ensures the back up camera wireless signal is not degraded.
The back up camera cabling is run through a hole in the trunk rear that already passes lighting cables. I installed the wireless transmitter for the camera along the back of the chassis member that the dvd unit was attached to using the self adhesive pad. I soldered the +ve feed for the transmitter and camera to the reverse light cable(red wire), which can be easily identified where it passes through the rear trunk face in a wire sheath. I attached the ground to a convenient bolt. The spare cable length just tucked into the void underneath the side pocket of the trunk liner assembly. I mounted the camera on the license plate. I modified the bracket because the camera will not fit under the top face of the plate mounting indent. I cut off the clamp fingers and bolted the bracket to the plate with 2 M4 screws and flange nuts - screws at back to allow plate to sit flat. I used 1/8 plastic spacers behind the plate for the M6 tag plate screws. This allows the camera wire to route behind the plate and allows clearance for the 2 screws holding the camera bracket. I also cut a U section out of the plate at the top so the camera cable did not show above the camera and tucked neatly down back of plate through the opening to trunk.
The screen door works as it should and if set to open it closes when the key is in off position. On turning the ignition on the door opens and the tilt operates and the Garmin turns on automatically. The backup camera display overrides the nav display automatically when reverse gear is selected. If you need any further info then please email me. Head unit removed Door and door drive bar - just unclip screen box chassis removed. There is an additional bezel shroud piece and flex strips which just unscrew to enable work on bezel to mount Garmin Bezel shroud piece and flex strip(shown) need to be removed. Tilt anchor plate is removed in this pic. This allows screen chassis to be lifted up while still attached by cabling to electrionics which are retained and do not need to be disconnected from cabling. Cleaned bezel lined with shaped foam to fit Garmin. Garmin snug in cut out foam Power wire into Garmin through base of screen chassis Garmin held in position using stiff foam fixed with screws from original screen assembly Socket showing lower gauge wire for solder connection to wiring harness connected into head unit. Installed Garmin showing usb extension lead and wireless receiver in lead before being tucked down by side of glove box Reverse light cable showing red and white black wires. Entry to trunk from access behind number plate. Camera lead into trunk. Camera mounted on plate showing U cut to hide and allow cable to turn without stress behind plate, then through to trunk.
Last edited by Roger480; Nov 21, 2020 at 08:40 AM.
Reason: wrong designation
Hiya there, Roger.
I just bought a 2002 SC430 with the same problematic oem navigator. Hope your post to be a guide to action for me. I am not that technically inclined so I might ask you some stupid questions, if you allow.
1. I don’t see any DVD amplifier and DVD antenna lead in my trunk.
2. Did you remove radio unit before removing navigator?
Jszachar
The dvd amplifier is mounted on top of the dvd unit in the trunk. You have to remove the trunk carpet, tool tray and central lining piece to see the dvd unit and amplifier. The antenna lead is a grey wire plugged in the back of the unit. There are other threads which cover removing the trunk lining if you search for them.
You don’t need to remove the radio unit but you have to remove the ac and navigation control unit display before you can access the screws and bolts to remove the actual navigation unit. There are several other threads covering this removal and if you google the question there are videos explaining how to remove the navigation unit and the steps to take.
When I refer to the head unit I mean the navigation unit mounted in the dash as opposed to the navigation dvd unit in the trunk. When you do any of these removal tasks don’t forget to disconnect the battery first.
You don’t have to install a back up camera but the Garmin unit I used supports up to 4 cameras that are connected wirelessly, which avoids the need to run cables.
The Garmin works really well and is probably a better and lot cheaper solution
Good work and nice installation. Thanks for sharing.
How do you upgrade Garmin map? Does Garmin show live traffics? I used to own a Garmin unit but that’s like 10 years back. Was very please with it til the phone maps came.
Updating is using an app on your computer while the Garmin is connected with the supplied usb cable. Or wirelessly if you are close to a good WiFi eg at your house/garage.
Although I said I used a Garmin 61, the unit I originally purchased was a refurbished manufacturer guaranteed unit. It had a fault with the microphone so I returned it and purchased a new Garmin 65. This does have traffic capability but you have to purchase an add on module. I didn’t bother.
One more point I drilled a 1/16 inch hole in the black bezel where the Garmin microphone is to allow voice control of the unit, which works great.
Thank you, Roger. Very kind of you.
Now I looked for the Garmin 61 that you installed. There are two available:
a) Garmin Drive 61 LMT-S Navigation System (United States Maps, Traffic/Parking Info)
BH #GA010016790C • MFR #010-01679-0C $162.08
b) Garmin DriveSmart 61 NA LMT-S Advanced Navigation GPS with Smart Features Deluxe Bundle $396.03
Which one is yours? Thank you.
Oops, sorry, I see you bought the b)
Strangely enough, the same device with more than doubling the price from one site to the other?
I have installed a Garmin DriveSmart 65. It was $199.99 from Amazon. Actually I just checked and it does have live traffic capability. You don’t need anything else except the unit. I don’t know what a deluxe bundle is but once the unit is installed, that’s it.
Dear Roger,
many thanks. I ordered some plastic sticks from Walmart, hope they'd help to take out the GPS.
I also downloaded a whole package of service and repair PDF files from https://www.emanualonline.com/
just for $25. Can share over email in case you need some. I am not in awe of their bleak drawings though.
I wander, these oem book manuals they say on eBay for like 200 - 400 dollars, are they the same as those I downloaded?
I have another car, 95 Mazda mx6. She betrayed me lots of times, and I have done lots of work on her to keep her running.
Even at one point changed the tranny by myself. Still love her though. Tough love...
BTW, the new-old one, the SC430, when I put her in gear, either R or D she produces a heavy sound of disappointment, like "Uh" and a single shake. Kinda alarming...
Best wishes, Joe.
Roger, thanks for a great post and pictures. I think I will do the same installation in my 2008 PB. Question: The Garmin GPS has its speaker on the back of the unit. So what is the sound like once it is installed? Is it muffled or quite easy to hear? Thanks.
The speaker works great. You can adjust the volume and it doesn’t sound muffled. The voice control works great too. I changed the the active phrase to “wake up” after experimenting with various phrases. The small 1/16 hole I drilled in the bezel means normal volume speech is picked up easily by the unit. The voice control means you can impart most instructions without touching the screen.
Good luck with your installation. I’m sure you will be delighted.
Roger
<!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->All maps are compiled in the original Garmin format, and does not require any additional firmware and interventions in the navigator! Installing the maps does not require any special knowledge from the user, everyone who owns a computer, even at a minimal level, is able to download the maps to your navigator without assistance, according to these instructions. But I am interested in something else. I would really like to find the best cheap car GPS, can someone please advise me? I want the most modern GPS navigator that will be easy to use and fast in its operation for a reasonable amount of money.
I just finished this install last week in my 2009 PB. It went great because of the great information Roger480 posted. Thank you for the great information. Did you have any problem with the GPS acquiring satellites after it was installed in the dash? Mine takes as much as 10 min. to acquire the satellite sign every time it is turned on.
Yes it can take up to 10 minutes but not every time. I think it’s because the unit and wiring are inside the dash board and the metal cage around the Garmin unit shields the signal to some extent. But it gets there. Another aspect is that because the unit is wired to the ignition on circuit in the car the Garmin internal battery runs down if the car is parked for 6/7 days. This means the Garmin time is incorrect initially until it gets a signal and resets. I am used to these minor aspects. Overall I am still pleased with look and performance. Hope this is helpful and you are happy with your install. Roger
Garmin GPS installation (2003 SC430)
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