2006 Nav System failure - Options?

kgrove · 07-23-08, 09:36 PM

The nav system on my 2006 LC just failed. In this case, I'm lucky (relatively speaking) because Toyota is going to give me the part for free even though I'm slightly out of warranty. It would have cost between $2400 and $5400 for the part alone to make the repair, and since the nav system is so tightly wrapped up with the ac system, radio, etc., it would be difficult to avoid having the repair done.

My question is are there any alternatives to either the $2400 or $5400 part? Does anybody else (e.g., Alpine, Kenwood, Clarion) make something that can be integrated in the same way for much less money? Is it possible to replace the touch screen nav system with "mechanical" dials and buttons for the ac etc and a standard head unit for the stereo to essentially recreate what the car would have been if it had been built without the factory nav system?

My fear is not this instance since it will only cost me a couple hundred bucks in labor, but what happens in 2, 3, 4, 8 years down the road? LCs are purpose built to be used and abused... it seems very inconsistent to have an extremely expensive piece of electronics controlling so much of an off road machine like this. Its almost enough to make me want to stay away from LCs all together, as much as I like them.

100 TD · 07-23-08, 11:48 PM

Don't you guys get a 3 year warranty in the US?
I would hit Toyota for all parts and installation costs and make sure it is a new unit, not a repaired unit.
The lower range vehicles come without it in many countries so I expect the A/C controls may interface from them, you would possibly loose out on the stereo though, but that's not too hard a hit if you can at least get the other functions to work.

kgrove · 07-24-08, 12:24 AM

3 yrs and 36,000 miles and I'm at 43,000 miles... Theoretically it should be possible to replace the entire center of my dashboard and go back in time and pretend my LC was delivered w.o. factory nav, but I've never heard of anyone doing that nor have a clue what it would entail or cost. Hopefully somebody knows of a simple solution that isn't so drastic. It isn't reasonable, however, that if/when this fails again that it could cost me more to replace the nav system than it would the entire engine or transmission. Somebody has a big jar of vaseline and is sticking it to LC owners, although I don't know if it is Toyota or the parts supplier. Either way it's the customer that's walking funny. Sorry for the image but this one has me testy even though I'm escaping relatively unscathed... this time.

hoser · 07-24-08, 01:06 AM

If I was a betting man, I'd bet the non-navi climate control system would plug into the existing wiring harness. For the cost of the OEM replacement, one could take a trip to any of those countries that gets the non-navi version, buy the parts at the wrecking yard, stay, relax a week and come back for the same or less cost. The only way to know is to get a hold of the electrical diagrams for those years.

kgrove · 07-24-08, 01:38 AM

I wonder if the wiring is the same on earlier years... I know in 2000 or 2001 anyway the nav system really was more of an option as opposed to 2006 or 2007 where in the US almost every LC had navi from day 1... Possible to redo the dash with earlier model year parts or did they change more stuff?

r3run33 · 07-24-08, 08:25 AM

someone did post a pic of an 06 with out the nav so that set up is possible; sometimes parts dept and dealerships do not tell you everything that is available just so it makes their day easier and makes them some money. our situation is bad because of the relativly few 100 sold in the usa compared to other models so you dont have that option of going to a salvage yard and finding parts so we are stuck with dealerships. do some more research and if nav does not mean much to ya go for the set up with out nav. it has to be an easy plug and play set up. that would be to much work for the factory in japan to wire them seperatly.

uzj100 · 07-24-08, 08:37 AM

http://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-c...v-spotted.html

Pic of newer model without nav in the USA.

It even has a cassette (tape) deck. Straight pimpin Old Schoolz style.

SWUtah · 07-24-08, 08:58 AM

Unusual and I would not be concerned that lightening is going to strike you twice. I have the 6 year 100K bumper to bumper warranty and never own cars with over 100K miles. Don't worry be happy.

Jim_Chow · 07-25-08, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoser

If I was a betting man, I'd bet the non-navi climate control system would plug into the existing wiring harness. For the cost of the OEM replacement, one could take a trip to any of those countries that gets the non-navi version, buy the parts at the wrecking yard, stay, relax a week and come back for the same or less cost. The only way to know is to get a hold of the electrical diagrams for those years.

x2, judging from the diagrams in the '03 LX electrical FSM. They show both with nav and no nav versions (canada had no nav option). Most of the wire colors/pin numbers are the same. There are a few wires not connected in the no nav case, but my hunch is the harness for both versions is the same, just that you don't use some wires in one case or the other. You'd have to buy all the ECU's and parts for the no nav system, which might equal the price of buying a new nav unit, though.

SR.GRINGO · 07-26-08, 10:36 AM

No Nav here in Mexico. I bet the center stack here is plug in play.

SWUtah · 07-26-08, 12:50 PM

Anyone know the failure rate on the Nav? I bet you would have about the same odds of winning the Lottery as you would having two fail in the same vehicle. I doubt anyone should lose sleep worrying about their nav failing.

kgrove · 08-22-08, 02:04 AM

Crap! I got the nav fixed (Toyota replaced the touch screen), and it worked for awhile and broke again... this time the touch screen works, but the nav always says I am not moving. Took it to the dealer - they said the nav system is not getting a speed signal. The bozo that had the car before me had done an aftermarket dvd system, amp, and speakers. The dealer claims (not sure I believe them) that there are wire splices all over the place behind the dash like a bad amateur install. The dealer says they can't fix it, at least not for less than a couple house payments, and give the car back to me... Later in the day after picking it up, the CEL, VSC and RVSC OFF warning lights are all flashing! Seems like way too much of a coincidence.

1) How expensive is a new wire harness to reconnect the nav, ac, stereo, etc. if it really is that hacked up behind the dash like the dealer says? Dealer says its a couple thousand in parts and near that much in labor.

2) What are the chances that it really is coincidence that my VSC warning lights are on after picking it up from the dealer? I feel like he's responsible, but I don't know if there is any possible connection....