Converting LX450 6 disc changer input to auxiliary port for ipod?

[bloc]

Lexus forums have a few options.. one of which is burning a CD with a long empty track along with soldering the 3.5mm wires ONTO the signal wires without cutting. Play the blank CD and plug in your IPOD, you are good to go. Plus you can still use other CDs in the changer as factory when nothing is plugged into the headphone jack

Another writeup has 4 relays that you trigger with a wire that switch the CD player signal wires to the headphone jack wires. this "hijacks" the audio signal, instead of just adding onto it like the above option.

This thread shows both options: DIY: AUX to Stock Stereo - Club Lexus Forums

Both require a working CD changer. Without that, it appears most of the options I've read about aren't possible.

@canman linked to @turbophil thread earlier... But, both used the isimple module.. something that I want to avoid spending the money on. I'll already have USB power in the console & dash..

One thing I am going to try is just plugging the first PCB from the changer into the harness under the console and see whether that is enough to trick the head unit into seeing the changer. I doubt it, but worth a shot. The main advantage would be eliminating the work and potential risk of pulling the head unit and digging around in the tape deck innards.. If the HU thinks the changer is operational then I'll just tap into the signal wires under the console.

 

[toyotaspeed90]

Like I said... tape deck hack... for those with non functioning cd changers.

Tape Hack (Aux input) - Club Lexus Forums

 

[brownjeans]

Christmas of 2014 I put in one of these and a dash pocket to make up the difference between the single and double din setup. It installed super easy with the wiring harness adapter.

Not trying to sell you one of these, just informing on what I did. Now my phone can connect and play via USB or via bluetooth while in my pocket. I've been very happy. With this in place my '96 LX450 feels more modern and high tech than my wife's 2006 Saab.

 

[Taylorious]

9 YEAR RESURRECTION:

I'm interested in this... having just got a real minty LX450 with a working OE CD/Cassette deck.
In my LS400, I soldered a 3.5mm aux into the main board using the OE stereo's master/test port. Just throw a blank cassette in, and the thing plays perfectly.

...I'm going to dig into this ASAP, as there's a local deck near me, and I'll get it on my bench and return when I have more info + read the above more completely.

 

[mudgudgeon]

Whats an ipod?

 

[Taylorious]

Whats an ipod?

Only the finest digital audio storage device of the 21st century....
Kept music libraries as bigger than 100gb without any ad influence, any streaming latency issues, and directly encouraged people to actively keep their own libraries of music instead of having to pay, monthly, to access 'approved' content from a service that doesn't work everywhere.

 

[mudgudgeon]

Only the finest digital audio storage device of the 21st century....
Kept music libraries as bigger than 100gb without any ad influence, any streaming latency issues, and directly encouraged people to actively keep their own libraries of music instead of having to pay, monthly, to access 'approved' content from a service that doesn't work everywhere.

Was being flippant.

I had an early version. Seems like a lifetime ago. Literally my adult son's lifetime ago.

Mine died long ago

 

[Taylorious]

Was being flippant.

I had an early version. Seems like a lifetime ago. Literally my adult son's lifetime ago.

Mine died long ago

I feel it, my man. No worries, tried to respond with a giggle too

I'm just a huge proponent of owning your own media, and in the modern era, do my best to share that P.O.V. when I get the chance to.
Esp. given that socio-culturally, we kinda 'won the war' against the record companies holding artist music hostage with censorship and premiums right at the turn of the millennium. I've written my own articles and op-eds on this haha.

BUT BACK ON TOPIC **gruff gruff trucks trucks**

I'll have this on my bench within a week or two, and report back!

 

[Marvelicious]

Only the finest digital audio storage device of the 21st century....
Kept music libraries as bigger than 100gb without any ad influence, any streaming latency issues, and directly encouraged people to actively keep their own libraries of music instead of having to pay, monthly, to access 'approved' content from a service that doesn't work everywhere.

I took that same music library from my iPod and just moved it to my phone, continued to expand it, and I'm still using it ad and data free. Never made any sense to me to pay for those services.

Sorry... back on topic...

 

[Taylorious]

So, I ripped into the deck this week...

Found no test port, or at least, nothing comparable to what my 90's LS400 had.
I'll be exploring other options in this thread's aforementioned sections to spoof the deck into thinking it's got a CD when it's really a AUX.