GX470 Nav/HVAC integration - what won't work when it goes?

[dschad]

Hi all,
I've searched and searched and understand that there isn't much of an escape route from a GX with a factory Nav system beyond replacing with the same unit if and when the thing goes bad. Or at least certainly not an easy or documented one. I also understand that the Nav controls the HVAC, but I'm not sure exactly what features of the HVAC it controls. Looking at center console in pictures I can find on the web, there appears to be a row of HVAC related buttons just below the Nav screen, so I'm confused as to what is controlled via the touch screen versus the buttons. I could live without the stupid nav, but not a defroster or ac.

So my question: if the Nav screen/system goes out, exactly what won't work or be controllable? Does the system not function at all or only certain features will not be adjustable? Is it something one could live with, or are you completely sunk when it goes?

Of course I ask because I'm looking to buy a GX470 and there are many more Nav models then non-Navs in my area.

Thanks,
Don

 

[Cringe]

The screen portion of the HVAC controls is for the source, meaning defroster/floor/vents, as well as the temperature selection and the blower speed.

If the screen/system takes a dump then you lose your ability to control your HVAC...which is exactly the same scenario that I dealt with on my Ford with SYNC when it died a year ago. Had to replace everything radio related just to have the ability to turn on a fan! Thankfully it was under warranty. As for my GX and the potential for it to die in a similar fashion, I am not overly concerned at the moment. When it does I guess I will sit down with a wiring diagram and finally figure out how to turn the thing into a non-nav vehicle!

 

[dschad]

Bummer, that is was I was afraid of. I don't understand what the keys on the dash do, but perhaps I'll figure that out when I buy my nav-enabled 470.

Unfortunately things don't tend to break when it is convenient. At least if it worked a little bit you could take some time to figure it out. I'll have to start early I guess.

Thanks for the reply.

Don

 

[Cringe]

Bummer, that is was I was afraid of. I don't understand what the keys on the dash do, but perhaps I'll figure that out when I buy my nav-enabled 470.

Unfortunately things don't tend to break when it is convenient. At least if it worked a little bit you could take some time to figure it out. I'll have to start early I guess.

Thanks for the reply.

Don

There are two buttons on either end which are the driver's and passenger's temperature selection buttons, one selects auto temp control which will adjust the fan speed and the blend door automatically to keep it a set temp like a home thermostat, another button is for the rear defroster, and the last if my memory is correct is a front defrost button. Oh! And the off button. Everything else is on screen. I think you could almost get away with leaving it set to auto and never actually using the screen.

It is definitely a bummer how interconnected all the vehicle systems have become electronically. I believe it was SAAB that wouldn't even start if someone stole your radio, but I could be mistaken.

Regardless, I wouldn't let it deter me from buying a vehicle if it has been well cared for.

 

[JLee]

There are two buttons on either end which are the driver's and passenger's temperature selection buttons, one selects auto temp control which will adjust the fan speed and the blend door automatically to keep it a set temp like a home thermostat, another button is for the rear defroster, and the last if my memory is correct is a front defrost button. Oh! And the off button. Everything else is on screen. I think you could almost get away with leaving it set to auto and never actually using the screen.

It is definitely a bummer how interconnected all the vehicle systems have become electronically. I believe it was SAAB that wouldn't even start if someone stole your radio, but I could be mistaken.

Regardless, I wouldn't let it deter me from buying a vehicle if it has been well cared for.

I don't use the screen for HVAC...auto works fine. What I don't know is if it requires the nav unit to be there from a wiring and control perspective...

I've had an 07 nav and 05 nav. 07 is nicer because it's a newer generation and doesn't look as utterly archaic as the 05 does (and 07+ also gets an aux jack from the factory).

However, since BeatSonic makes an adapter to let you use the factory electronics/amps/etc with an aftermarket head unit installed where the tape player goes...I'm going to do that.

 

[dschad]

It would be interesting to see if it worked without the nav at all. Hopefully they engineered it to have some fail safes. But in the end, I agree - I won't let the nav deter me from a good truck - I'll grumble about it a lot.

The hard part for me is finding one which the rust hasn't gotten to yet.

Thanks.

 

[JLee]

It would be interesting to see if it worked without the nav at all. Hopefully they engineered it to have some fail safes. But in the end, I agree - I won't let the nav deter me from a good truck - I'll grumble about it a lot.

The hard part for me is finding one which the rust hasn't gotten to yet.

Thanks.

Buy one from a southern state. Fly and drive - I've done that for all of my Lexus SUVs so far (well, except for the last one which I had shipped). When I was in Phoenix, I found my LX450 in Reno NV..then my GX470 in Albuquerque NM, then when I moved to NJ I found my last GX in - you guessed it - Phoenix.

 

[dschad]

Buy one from a southern state. Fly and drive - I've done that for all of my Lexus SUVs so far (well, except for the last one which I had shipped). When I was in Phoenix, I found my LX450 in Reno NV..then my GX470 in Albuquerque NM, then when I moved to NJ I found my last GX in - you guessed it - Phoenix.

I've definitely considered this. I occasionally check the NC-VA area. The only problem is that I'm a nervous buyer, not to mention that it starts to open up the entire world of cool vehicles (which have long-since rusted to nothing up here), so then I can't decide.

It would be really fun to do. I'd likely pay a service to check it out first, then make the big trip. It would be a lot of fun to drive from AZ to NH in a new-used beauty.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Has anyone reported the Nav failing? The electronics on these SUVs seem to be pretty reliable. The navigation software itself on the 2003 sucks big time. It's actually horrible and I don't use it. No, it's actually a piece of crap. I use my iPhone 6s Plus and that works great for navigation.

In a rare emergency due to screen failure, you can turn on the HVAC via the AUTO dash button and turn off. You can reduce and increase the temperature via the "^" and "v" buttons on the dash. When the screen is not available, you lose the ability to select the vents and the fan speed.

I swear I went to my car audio shop and they told me it was no problem finding another head unit that takes in the HVAC controls. It seems like there's plenty of other toyota/lexus models that do the same, so there are units that handle the HVAC controls.

I don't understand what's the big deal on the Navigation. Buy a 470 with navigation, but don't use the navigation...use your cell phone. Google Maps lets you download maps for offline use, so no biggie there when there's no cell phone coverage.

Now you might be limited to the number of head units that take the HVAC harness, but I don't think there's many audiophiles in this offroad crowd that makes a 470 with nav an issue.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the navigation units are not a showstopper when it come to buying a 470.

 

[GXO]

Most people put mag mounts on either side of the factory nav and stick a tablet there, then put it in via BT or aux. If you mount the mag mounts with sugru they won't come off due to outside heat or cold.

 

[dschad]

Has anyone reported the Nav failing? The electronics on these SUVs seem to be pretty reliable. The navigation software itself on the 2003 sucks big time. It's actually horrible and I don't use it. No, it's actually a piece of crap. I use my iPhone 6s Plus and that works great for navigation.

In a rare emergency due to screen failure, you can turn on the HVAC via the AUTO dash button and turn off. You can reduce and increase the temperature via the "^" and "v" buttons on the dash. When the screen is not available, you lose the ability to select the vents and the fan speed.

I swear I went to my car audio shop and they told me it was no problem finding another head unit that takes in the HVAC controls. It seems like there's plenty of other toyota/lexus models that do the same, so there are units that handle the HVAC controls.

I don't understand what's the big deal on the Navigation. Buy a 470 with navigation, but don't use the navigation...use your cell phone. Google Maps lets you download maps for offline use, so no biggie there when there's no cell phone coverage.

Now you might be limited to the number of head units that take the HVAC harness, but I don't think there's many audiophiles in this offroad crowd that makes a 470 with nav an issue.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the navigation units are not a showstopper when it come to buying a 470.

I agree that they shouldn't be a show stopper, and I wouldn't really care too much if not for the heater controls. Like most things on the internet nav problems are probably amplified a bit, but it's the principle of the matter!

I've read about people doing swaps in RXes (I think), but nothing definitive in the GX arena.

Maybe I'll keep one of those little battery powered fans in the glove box (should I get a gx470 w/ nav).

Thanks all.

 

[GonzoShinyPants]

Also according to the manual for my '09 you can watch a DVD on that screen if the vehicle is stopped! Haven't tried that yet lol. But per Dan Kunz mounting a tablet over the screen is what I'll end up doing, but you do want to be able to move it to see the screen on occasion. The other features are phone related, nav features, maintenance reminders (which while unnecessary it is cool to set a custom reminder for water pump, etc) along with HVAC

 

[GXO]

There is a promising thread in gxor of using a tesla screen that is plug and play. Have a dude working out the bugs now

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

Also according to the manual for my '09 you can watch a DVD on that screen if the vehicle is stopped! Haven't tried that yet lol. But per Dan Kunz mounting a tablet over the screen is what I'll end up doing, but you do want to be able to move it to see the screen on occasion. The other features are phone related, nav features, maintenance reminders (which while unnecessary it is cool to set a custom reminder for water pump, etc) along with HVAC

Can confirm DVD playback works with the parking brake on and in park. We keep a dvd in the changer for when we are stopped for a while. There is a kit, if I remember, you can buy that removes some limitations like the parking brake but it was spendy, the other solution was to instal a switch that interupts the signal from the GPS and brake, but that comes with problems too. The other solution is to not care, which is the path im on.

 

[Cringe]

Pull your radio, on the harness cut the violet wire with red stripe on pin #5 and the light green wire on pin #13. Take the light green wire from the screen side, the bit that is sticking out from the plug not the bit that runs into the harness, and run that to a chassis ground somewhere nearby. This lets you use the DVD player without the parking brake set, without some silly module or switches, and while the vehicle is in motion. I did this and it works perfectly on my 06, no issues whatsoever.

 

[hammerheadfistpunch]

Pull your radio, on the harness cut the violet wire with red stripe on pin #5 and the light green wire on pin #13. Take the light green wire from the screen side, the bit that is sticking out from the plug not the bit that runs into the harness, and run that to a chassis ground somewhere nearby. This lets you use the DVD player without the parking brake set, without some silly module or switches, and while the vehicle is in motion. I did this and it works perfectly on my 06, no issues whatsoever.

Interdasting. I might look into that, but truthfully I will probably avoid modding this car for a while. Its my wifes and the ruining, er, modding is mostly done on my 80.