2005 LX470 Mark Levinson stereo - NO SOUND (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Apr 28, 2010
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Location
Atlanta, GA
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www.pfranleds.com
So...

My wife's 2005 LX470 (Nav equipped) has a Mark Levinson stereo issue that I have been troubleshooting for the past few days. I know there are numerous threads out there dealing with similar issues but I can't find any that replicate exactly what I am experiencing.

(Links to threads I have reviewed will be provided at the end of this post).

Issue:

- No sound when selecting AM/FM/CD

Data points:

- 2005 LX470 with Mark Levinson sound package. Very well maintained. Zero mods.

- Unplugged all peripherals (cig lighter USB fast charger) as I didn't want to introduce any variables during the troubleshooting phase.

- Nav works (nav voice even works and plays correctly through the driver's door speaker).

- Climate/Heat controls (integrated into the nav screen) work.

- I checked all of the fuses in three locations (under hood, driver's side footwell, passenger side footwell). The only blown fuse in the vehicle was labeled "Power Outlet" and I replaced the fuse.

- I didn't just visually inspect the fuses, I used a Bussmann fuse tester on each one.

2002681


- Reading up on various Lexus/Land Cruiser Mark Levinson threads, I learned that the issue was most likely the Mark Levinson amplifier (Part # 86280-0W052) under the passenger seat. I ordered a $600 tested/working used/refurb unit from a highly-rated eBay vendor, disconnected the battery, and replaced the amplifier. Since there are at least four part numbers for this amp, I made sure to replace the one I believed to be faulty with a replacement having the same part# (86280-0W052).

Lexus Navigation CD Changer DVD Display Cluster Repair - Lexus Navigation Repair

2002678


- When the ignition is switched to ON , you can hear/see the cooling fan on the ML amplifier spin up for a few seconds. I switched back to my original ML amp and the fan spins up on it as well. I repeated the ignition on/off sequence multiple times to ensure that the amp spin-up wasn't causing any fuses to blow. This tells me that both amplifiers were/are getting power.

- Placed NAV unit into factory test/diagnostic mode. I ran every test available and they returned no error codes.
Reset maint light, Nav override, hidden diagnostic menu, door lock option

- When the system is switched to FM (or AM, CD, Tape etc.), the power antenna raises and the NAV screen shows the volume meter adjusting up and down in line with any manual input physically given to the volume knob. The issue remains that no sound is coming out of the speakers.

- Unpaired all Bluetooth connected phones from the system. My line of thinking was that perhaps there was a bluetooth issue and that a "ghost" Bluetooth connection could be cutting the FM radio input.

- My wife reported that before sound stopped working, it behaved abnormally at least one time before complete failure. I believe she said the volume fell and she turned it up before it stopped working. The next day she when she started the vehicle, the radio came on momentarily at very high volume and then stopped working again. (This bullet point is subject to future revision as I just quickly noted my recollection of what she relayed to me. I am going to ask her to get into as much detail as possible later today).


Next steps in troubleshooting:

-????



Any help on this issue would be greatly appreciated!












Related threads/sites:

Mark Levinson AMP Issue

GX470 no volume control

Stock Radio Question - AUDIO OFF

TLC FAQ

2004 Lexus GX470 No sound from radio, help - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX470: No sound! - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

No Audio on 2004 LX470 - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

No Audio LX470 2002 - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

Mark Levinson No Audio - Please Help - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion
 
Last edited:
So...

My wife's 2005 LX470 (Nav equipped) has a Mark Levinson stereo issue that I have been troubleshooting for the past few days. I know there are numerous threads out there dealing with similar issues but I can't find any that replicate exactly what I am experiencing.

(Links to threads I have reviewed will be provided at the end of this post).

Issue:

- No sound when selecting AM/FM/CD

Data points:

- 2005 LX470 with Mark Levinson sound package. Very well maintained. Zero mods.

- Unplugged all peripherals (cig lighter USB fast charger) as I didn't want to introduce any variables during the troubleshooting phase.

- Nav works (nav voice even works and plays correctly through the driver's door speaker).

- Climate/Heat controls (integrated into the nav screen) work.

- I checked all of the fuses in three locations (under hood, driver's side footwell, passenger side footwell). The only blown fuse in the vehicle was labeled "Power Outlet" and I replaced the fuse.

- I didn't just visually inspect the fuses, I used a Bussmann fuse tester on each one.

View attachment 2002681

- Reading up on various Lexus/Land Cruiser Mark Levinson threads, I learned that the issue was most likely the Mark Levinson amplifier (Part # 86280-0W052) under the passenger seat. I ordered a $600 tested and working used/refurb unit from a highly-rated eBay vendor, disconnected the battery, and replaced the amplifier. Since there are at least four part numbers for this amp, I made sure to replace the one I believed to be faulty with a replacement having the same part# (86280-0W052).

Lexus Navigation CD Changer DVD Display Cluster Repair - Lexus Navigation Repair

View attachment 2002678

- When the ignition is switched to ON , you can hear/see the cooling fan on the ML amplifier spin up for a few seconds. I switched back to my original ML amp and the fan spins up on it as well. I repeated the ignition on/off sequence multiple times to ensure that the amp spin-up wasn't causing any fuses to blow. This tells me that both amplifiers were/are getting power.

- Placed NAV unit go into factory test/diagnostic mode. I ran every test available and they returned no error codes.
Reset maint light, Nav override, hidden diagnostic menu, door lock option

- When the system is switched to FM (or AM, CD, Tape etc.), the power antenna raises and the NAV screen shows the volume meter adjusting up and down in line with any manual input physically given to the volume knob. The issue remains that no sound is coming out of the speakers.

- Unpaired all Bluetooth connected phones from the system. My line of thinking was that perhaps there was a bluetooth issue and that a "ghost" Bluetooth connection could be cutting the FM radio input.

- My wife reported that before sound stopped working, it behaved abnormally at least one time before complete failure. I believe she said the volume fell and she turned it up before it stopped working. The next day she when she started the vehicle, the radio came on momentarily at very high volume and then stopped working again. (This bullet point is subject to future revision as I just quickly noted my recollection of what she relayed to me. I am going to ask her to get into as much detail as possible later today).


Next steps in troubleshooting:

-????



Any help on this issue would be greatly appreciated!












Related threads/sites:

Mark Levinson AMP Issue

GX470 no volume control

Stock Radio Question - AUDIO OFF

TLC FAQ

2004 Lexus GX470 No sound from radio, help - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX470: No sound! - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

No Audio on 2004 LX470 - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

No Audio LX470 2002 - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

Mark Levinson No Audio - Please Help - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

Chances are, all of your speakers have finally blown. This is the exact same behavior my '05 exhibited, so I switched it out with a working amp from my '03. Everything else seemed to function normally - that is when I figured out the speakers finally gave out.

My stereo was producing sound, but not very good...then it finally quit similar in nature when an amp dies.
 
Chances are, all of your speakers have finally blown. This is the exact same behavior my '05 exhibited, so I switched it out with a working amp from my '03. That is when I figured out the speakers finally gave out.

My stereo was producing sound, but not very good...then it finally quit similar in nature when an amp dies.

So if one speaker goes, none of them work? It would be extremely coincidental for all of the speakers to go at the exact same time.

Plus... NAV works and can be heard (as designed) through the driver's door speaker.
 
So if one speaker goes, none of them work? It would be extremely coincidental for all of the speakers to go at the exact same time.

Plus... NAV works and can be heard (as designed) through the driver's door speaker.

My stereo was making sound, but you could tell it was not at full power (similar to what your wife stated) - she probably did not realize it. Then, one day it just stopped working when I turned the volume up. The speakers finally blew due to turning up the volume higher than normal (similar to the abnormal behavior). When the speakers were removed, the paper cones were completely detached from the rubber surround.
 
My stereo was making sound, but you could tell it was not at full power (similar to what your wife stated) - she probably did not realize it. Then, one day it just stopped working when I turned the volume up. The speakers finally blew due to turning up the volume higher than normal (similar to the abnormal behavior). When the speakers were removed, the paper cones were completely detached from the rubber surround.

Shouldn't sound at least come out of my driver's door? (seeing how NAV sound works 100% from that location)
 
Sound from the phone/nav comes though your front drivers lower speaker.
I bet it's not blown speakers - if they are blown you should still hear rattling or something and nothing through phone/nav.

Do you still have the beep when pressing buttons.... like temp up?
 
Sound from the phone/nav comes though your front drivers lower speaker.
I bet it's not blown speakers - if they are blown you should still hear rattling or something and nothing through phone/nav.

Do you still have the beep when pressing buttons.... like temp up?

Yes, I hear all beeps when interacting with the touchscreen.
 
I just swapped all my speakers and added an amp to my 04 LX - keeping the factory amp in place.

I would try a multimeter on the speaker level out of the amp. First pair your phone and connect a call so you have sound out of the front DS speaker. I don't remember which is rt or lt but here is a pic of the plug. (the front speaker outs are circled in Blue on the left plug below) Once you verify which is the drivers door and you have sound/reading on the multimeter - switch to FM and see if you still have output. I'm guessing no.

Good luck and keep us posted

2002835
 
This is not for a 100 series Mark Levinson but a 200, 2011 LX570, my truck has the Mark system, nice clear sound etc, but just not happy with the overal volume. My rule of thumb of overall output is to look at how far the dial go, when the turn knob reaches the upper limit, it goes up to like 60, and for my enjoyment of most rock music (forget about classical), i need to dial up to 35-40, for me, that's too close to the upper extreme. I had an F150 Sony system, big truck, but only need to reach one quarter of the total length to fill the cabin with oophm. Does the LC/LX have some kind of volume limiter? or can I replace the door speakers with louder ones?
 
Wondering if I should pick this up and just keep switching pieces out until the volume starts working again....

Radio Receiver 1 Din Fits 03-07 LEXUS LX470 758279 ID # 8612060623 P# 1758 | eBay

View attachment 2002766

Dunno if OP is still following this thread but you're probably headed in the right direction with this. It sounds like what has failed is not the amplification portion, but the "receiver" portion. I have no idea why the navigation sounds still play, but my best guess is that the nav must have a direct route to the amp and bypass all tone controls and head unit inputs.
 
Hello fellas had/have the same issue I spend like 2 days trying to figure out the pre-amp output for the Mark Leviton Radio my amp is the same part# as yours I'm just don't want to spend that kind of money for a used refurbished amp. Anyway I figured out how to get the volume function to work on the head unit but but it doesn't control the volume. It sends a pulse to the amp. But the volume stays at a constant pre-amp volume. I placed some head phones on this 4 wires and you can hear the sound/ music playing, but if you turn the volume the # changes from 0-max but there's no change in sound volume. Here's a picture of the pre amp plug. There are the four wires red, black, green, white. There are + because you place a small alligator clip on one of those wires & the other direct to ground you can hear the clear sound/ music without distortion. Just can't figure out how to control the volume. So I can place a aftermarket amp there.
IMG_20190905_180246.jpg
IMG_20190905_180246.jpg
 
I took my amp apart. Cause it let the smoke out how they say in electronics class lol. I figured I was maybe going to be a diode or something simple but its something else I was able to turn the amp on. But no sounds comes out only when I plug & on plug the amp you can hear something. Like a starting sound from the speakers.
IMG_20190905_173259.jpg
IMG_20190905_173259.jpg
 
To the OP and others, I had the same no volume from radio, cd, etc, but I still had Nav and Bluetooth call capability. I could get intermittent sound if I wiggled the amp cable, but even that stopped working entirely. I then opened the amp to see I could fix or solder anything, but looked way too complex for me.

Finally I just sent it into United Radio and got it fixed for $475. Has been working fine since I put it back in. I have a 2006 LX with 146k miles.
 
@pfran42 Did you ever figure this out? Im in the same boat. Just bought a used amp on ebay and still no luck. any tips?
 

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