External System not connected (1 Viewer)

[SCoutdoors]

I8Hmudders,

Im a long time reader and new on the posting side. I have a 2008 200 Series with 137k miles, fairly stock with exception of a mild suspension upgrade from Dobinson. Owned it for over 10 years, 3rd or 4th cruiser, currently 1 of 2 in the family inventory.

Last week my audio & navigation system went out and is displaying "external system not connected"; however the climate control functions still work on the MFD. I have search multiple forums (both Lexus and Toyota) with the majority of the post associated with the Toyota Prius and select Lexus models. The 100 series seemed to have a similar issue as well. I did find Tim's post: Audio Issues . In our messages, his issue seems to be isolated to the amp. Not sure if the AMP also could affect the Nav functions as well?

Over the last week, I have disconnected battery to attempt a MFD reset with no success, checked/ replaced all fuses from all three panels with the Toyota low profile, pull connectors off amp to inspect and reconnected. I have not pulled the MFD unit to inspect any loose connections. Before I go down that path, thought I would see if others have advice to continue to trouble shoot in the event I missed something.

With respect to modification of the audio system, I did replaced the front pass and driver side door drivers with 2 Ohm units this past summer. I have noticed since that swap, the volume has diminished, requiring additional gain to achieve similar volume.

Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge and insights.

 

[SCoutdoors]

Link from TimCFJ40's post: Audio goes into “Audio Off” mode after 2-3 hours of use - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/audio-goes-into-audio-off-mode-after-2-3-hours-of-use.1286871/

 

[SCoutdoors]

Bump.

 

[SCoutdoors]

Forum members, I have received a few private messages regarding updates on resolving my navigation and audio issues and thought I would post an update on troubleshooting to date.

This past winter, my audio and navigation stopped working. The MFD displays "external system not connected" when navigation and audio buttons are depressed. The radio/CD/audio module has power to the unit, but fails to power "on" and is this perpetual state of "audio OFF". The good news is that my climate controls still function on the MFD

Steps taken to identify/resolve the problem:

1. I have replaced the battery
2. Pulled AMP, sent off to be repaired, vendor sent back with "all functions properly and within spec"
3. Pulled the Radio Model, sent to same vendor.., vendor sent back with "CD jammed, but radio works fine"...
4. Pulled the MFD....sent to a different vendor that specializes in PIN 60 repairs for Prius'...returned due to not comfortable with repairing or opening the LC units....
5. He suggested looking at the navigation drive. Would a bad navigation drive would cut functionality to the radio/prevent from powering on?

I have not pulled the navigation drive module and thought I would check back with the resources on this forum to see if others had opinions or success resolving/trouble shooting similar situations. I also have not seen any PIN60 reports on our MFD units. Seem isolated to some older Lexus and Prius' models.

Help appreciated as it seems others are starting to run into some of these issues as well. Thank you in advance for those who may have thoughts and any ideas they would like to share.

 

[SCoutdoors]

Fat fingered #5. Edit " Could a bad navigation drive cut functionality to the radio/prevent from powering on?"

 

[SCoutdoors]

Wanted to circle back and see if any expert forum members may have any other ideas or solutions. I ordered a new navigation drive and swapped it out, but no luck. Still same error message.

 

[SCoutdoors]

Haven't had much luck on getting responses and hoping its because no one else has had a similar experience or a solution with their 200 series. Only other posts I can find are in 100 series forum:

Audio Off, No Nav, External System Not Connected

Hey there, 2006 Lexus LX470 - was driving the other day listening to music via Bluetooth when all of a sudden the audio cut completely out. The stereo does not respond at all, no maps pull up, no backup camera - but AC control still works. The only screens that work are Trip Information and...

forum.ih8mud.com

MFD Help please! "Audio off" "External system not connected" etc

Good day everyone. I am working on a 2004 Land Cruiser with 220k miles. I purchased the truck with the following problems: Radio not working Navigation not working Backup camera not working The climate control and trip info do work. I did a bunch of research on here and determined(after...

forum.ih8mud.com

As mentioned in earlier posts, trouble shooting through this weekend:

1. I have sent off the Radio Receiver and Amp to Joe at OEMautoaudio.com . Both were checked and returned with a good bill of health.
2. Joe suggested checking the navigation drive, so purchased a functioning unit off eBay. Nothing changed, same error message
3. I disconnected the RSE to see if that may trigger an signal on diagnostic menu, which shown in menu below
4. I have checked, re checked, replaced, all fuses.
5. I have checked power source to the radio receiver, getting good stable amps
6. Climate and rear camera still function normal.
7. Which leads me back to the MFD. When the audio 1st failed, the screen flashed and flickered a bit, then no audio or navigation.
8. Prior to that event, audio gain required 2X more gain to yield similar output on all sources. which is why I thought it might be amp/radio.
9. Everything seems to point back to the audio/navigation components on the MFD, as that is the central point between the navigation and audio. Unfortunately, I cannot seem to find anyone that is willing to try to repair the MFD unit. So don't know 100% for sure MFD is the source of failure.

What I have not done to establish some sort of a baseline:

1. Purchased a new factory radio or swapped a used version
2. Purchased a new MFD or swapped with a functioning used version to test
3. Brought in to Toyota to establish source of failure (just know they will say, replace the MFD for $10k).
4. I do have a 2013 Land Cruiser as well, but know the pin connections are different so don't want to start pulling parts off that unit given the year difference between the 2008 and 2013. Unless others feel this could also be valuable.

Questions to the brilliant minds of this forum in terms of next steps:

1. Logically, does this seem like the MFD is the source of failure? ie PIN 60 like issue similar to those on the 100 series? Any other testing suggestions to establish root cause is appreciated.
2. If we think MFD is the source of problems, couple of options I am considering:
   1. Buy a used MFD off eBay. $2-5k
   2. Easy button could be buy a Tesla or Android based replacement...$1k
      1. by replacing both the MFD and Radio, bypassing the factory navigation, would this be a logical solution? I only care about the audio, rear camera back up, and climate control
   3. Alternatively, I have been in touch with crutchfield and spoke to a customer service tech yesterday to ask in theory could it be possible to pull the radio unit and replace with a multimedia style receiver with car play:
      1. buy an adapter to connect to the JBL AMP: Axxess TYTO-01 Wiring Interface - https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120TYTO01/Axxess-TYTO-01-Wiring-Interface.html
      2. Install a single din multimedia system with fabricated brackets: Sony XAV-AX8100 - https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XAV8100/Sony-XAV-AX8100.html
      3. Keep the MFD installed to run climate and back up camera

What do you think? Happy to do a write up depending on the outcome if it helps others. Appreciate the help here and hoping a few can respond to this somewhat frustrating and challenging situation.

 

[2021 LC200]

Do not want to derail the questions you have nor do I have a pre 2016 or pre 2013 Land Cruiser with your MFD setup, hope those who know will chip in.

As part of electrical issues, did you check driver and passenger side for any rainwater ingress? Several big connectors and the amp are located there so that could throw things off.

 

[SCoutdoors]

Do not want to derail the questions you have nor do I have a pre 2016 or pre 2013 Land Cruiser with your MFD setup, hope those who know will chip in.

As part of electrical issues, did you check driver and passenger side for any rainwater ingress? Several big connectors and the amp are located there so that could throw things off.

Good call on the rainwater, we just had a pretty good storm this am so will check in the evening. Thanks for the reply/suggestion.

 

[SCoutdoors]

@2021 LC200 you were right, found the root cause. Pin broken on F connector. Repaired and now issue now resolved. All audio, navigation, etc now functioning. Had no clue to even check there. Thank you!

 

[wulffcruiser]

@2021 LC200 you were right, found the root cause. Pin broken on F connector. Repaired and now issue now resolved. All audio, navigation, etc now functioning. Had no clue to even check there. Thank you!

Can you explain a little more how you fixed this issue? I’m having the same issue. What plug and pin did you repair or replace? How did you track down the problem?