2011 DVD delete (1 Viewer)

[TTownEP]

I have a system-wide loss of audio in my 2011 LX, and it has been traced to the failure of the RSES DVD monitor in the roof. The head unit self-diagnostic is what points to this, showing "NCON" for the RSES. Apparently all the audio runs through this. The head unit powers on correctly, and all the touchscreen functions work, but the audio screen shows "Audio OFF". It fails to make the phone BT connection, changing the HVAC temperature doesn't make any noise, and even the memory seat buttons don't make any noise.

A new one from Lexus is out of the question, as it's in the US$8,000 range.

I removed it and sent it out to United Radio, where I was quoted US$1,480 for repair. I refused the repair, since I think I could do better.
I got a quote from Supertech in Australia of AUD$750, which works out in my favor for the exchange rate, but shipping is expensive, but so far this looks like my best option.

Before I ship this thing off, I just wanted to check to see if anyone knew about any alternatives to getting around this issue without repairing the RSES. We didn't get a remote when I bought it, so have never used it. My son uses our iPad or his Switch when we travel, so I don't see myself ever actually using it.

TL;DR - Does anyone know of a bypass so that the head unit will think the RSES is there, so that it will function again?

 

[CharlieS]

Maybe a stupid idea, but free to try, have you just unplugged the lead to the rear screen to see what happens?

 

[sleepycruiser]

If you need a remote to try different settings out on the RSES, I successfully programmed a learning remote for another member here. The remote I used came from a 2013, works on my 2011, and worked on the other member’s 2010.

 

[TTownEP]

Maybe a stupid idea, but free to try, have you just unplugged the lead to the rear screen to see what happens?

Yes, I actually removed the DVD display, and cleaned the contacts. While it was out, I did start it up and give it a try. It showed the same error message as when it was plugged in. For good measure, I removed the head unit display and disc drive portions, and cleaned those connections too. All connections were tight and clean.

 

[TTownEP]

If you need a remote to try different settings out on the RSES, I successfully programmed a learning remote for another member here. The remote I used came from a 2013, works on my 2011, and worked on the other member’s 2010.

I've been following a few threads about the missing remote and how to get around it. I bought a Logitech Harmony (I forget the model) that has IR input to learn from a factory remote, and can be loaded with custom profiles too. I went to my local "What's Happening in XXX" Facebook group and offered to pay someone with an LX570 for 20 minutes with their remote, but no one took me up on it.

 

[Skeet]

I had the same issue. No work around that I could find. Either have it repaired or buy a used unit from a junk yard.

 

[TTownEP]

I had the same issue. No work around that I could find. Either have it repaired or buy a used unit from a junk yard.

What did you do? I called my local junkyard and they said they didn't see one available in the whole US. There's one on eBay but I think I'd rather have the repair than get a potentially bad or about-to-go-bad unit.

 

[grinchy]

super frustrating!

I have a 2009 LX, so it's a different model of head unit. I did not have rear seat entertainment (RSE). My HU happily functions fine without the factory amp (though it won't do DSP or fade/balance, and won't record MP3 from DVD anymore). I'ver replaced the dsp/time delay/amplification with aftermarket amps.

If the 2011 could ever come without RSE, then there must be a way for the HU to proceed happy without it. I believe RSE wasn't fit to every truck, so I think it's likely getting canbus to forget that RSE exists, which you should be able to do thru that maintenance menu on the Nav, and maybe with unplugging/pulling fuse for the RSE itself.

 

[TTownEP]

If the 2011 could ever come without RSE, then there must be a way for the HU to proceed happy without it. I believe RSE wasn't fit to every truck, so I think it's likely getting canbus to forget that RSE exists, which you should be able to do thru that maintenance menu on the Nav, and maybe with unplugging/pulling fuse for the RSE itself.

Yeah, I did wonder if any came without the RSES. There are no options to change in the maintenance menu that I can see. It's mainly status checks and calibrating the touchscreen. I do wonder if there's anything that could be done in Techstream but I don't have access to it so haven't been able to check.

I didn't find a lot of people talking about this issue, and this is my first time asking about it, so I thought I was blazing a rare path here.

 

[grinchy]

i don't think it's tech stream. For example, the Nav maintenance menu (which is accessed with a set of presses on the screen in a particular order), will allow you to see if devices connect, and also allow deleting a device. I think you mentioned above you were in this menu and saw NCON. You should be able to delete the RSE from that menu, or a similar path but different sub menu.
From there unplugging all connectors on the RSE should render it 'invisible' to the canbus (or unplug the canbus connector, if you can identify which one it is). I use canbus here, and the ML doesn't use MOST like the TLC, but I wonder if there isn't a separate audio bus in the ML system, it's been a few years since I was really deep into the detail, and I have likely forgotten some specifics.

 

[lx200inAR]

Any chance you've tried unplugging the RSES and then disconnecting your battery for a while to see if the system we reinitialize without expecting the RSES?

 

[TTownEP]

You should be able to delete the RSE from that menu, or a similar path but different sub menu.

I'll dig around in there again, but as far as I can tell there are no options to delete any of the subsystems in that menu. Thank you for suggesting it.

 

[TTownEP]

Any chance you've tried unplugging the RSES and then disconnecting your battery for a while to see if the system we reinitialize without expecting the RSES?

I have not, but will give it a try.

 

[lx200inAR]

It looks like you found the thread for how to get into the self check. I would think, based on your findings, that this is the tshooting path you should be working through:

B15D5	Rear Seat Entertainment System Disconnected	- Television display assembly power source circuit
		- MOST circuit between stereo component amplifier assembly and television display assembly
		- MOST circuit between television display assembly and display and navigation module display
		- Television display assembly
		- Display and navigation module display

Although, if @grinchy is right and there is no MOST bus in the ML systems, then this flow may really only apply to LCs. This post (for other's following along) separates out LXs for the getting to the test mode, but doesn't separate them out for the FSM tshooting steps.

 

[grinchy]

It looks like you found the thread for how to get into the self check. I would think, based on your findings, that this is the tshooting path you should be working through:

B15D5	Rear Seat Entertainment System Disconnected	- Television display assembly power source circuit
		- MOST circuit between stereo component amplifier assembly and television display assembly
		- MOST circuit between television display assembly and display and navigation module display
		- Television display assembly
		- Display and navigation module display

Although, if @grinchy is right and there is no MOST bus in the ML systems, then this flow may really only apply to LCs. This post (for other's following along) separates out LXs for the getting to the test mode, but doesn't separate them out for the FSM tshooting steps.

It's entirely possible that MOST is part of the ML logic in the 2010+ refresh HU. It's definitely in the 2009+ JBL. I don't recall MOST in the 2010+ LX, but as I have a 2009 LX I wasn't really looking at those diagrams . . .

 

[sleepycruiser]

I've been following a few threads about the missing remote and how to get around it. I bought a Logitech Harmony (I forget the model) that has IR input to learn from a factory remote, and can be loaded with custom profiles too. I went to my local "What's Happening in XXX" Facebook group and offered to pay someone with an LX570 for 20 minutes with their remote, but no one took me up on it.

I have the Harmony remote as well for my home theater, but I couldn’t find profiles for the LC or LX anywhere. The $10 remote off Amazon worked. Frustrating at first to program until I figured it out. Probably took me 30-45 minutes.

 

[grinchy]

A quick confirm in the 2011 manual, MOST occurs 256 times, it's definitely implemented. Fun fun joy joy. It will be MOST annoying to work around.

 

[lx200inAR]

From below, it appears the roof screen is connected directly to the amplifier under the seat. May look there to verify you haven't accidentally unseated anything.

HINT:
For the MOST network, the multi-media module receiver assembly is the master unit.


DESCRIPTION
The multi-media module receiver assembly, television display assembly*1, multi-display controller sub-assembly*2 and stereo component amplifier
assembly are connected by the MOST network.
When a MOST network error occurs between the multi-media module receiver assembly, television display assembly*1, multi-display controller subassembly*
2 and stereo component amplifier assembly, these DTCs will be stored.
*1: w/ Rear Seat Entertainment System (for Roof)
*2: w/ Rear Seat Entertainment System (for Seatback)

 

[lx200inAR]

A few more diagrams.

 

[Skeet]

What did you do? I called my local junkyard and they said they didn't see one available in the whole US. There's one on eBay but I think I'd rather have the repair than get a potentially bad or about-to-go-bad unit.

I purchased the only used unit available online. Works as new.

Before I purchased the unit, I verified that it was the faulty part by swapping in a known good unit from a friend's truck.