I want a new Head unit or radio but what harness to get for the LX450.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Ok. Well check the dome fuse under the hood. It's a 10 amp I think. LX may have its own radio fuse I'm not sure. You'll figure it out tomorrow.

Fat-fingered on my iPhone using IH8MUD
 
To bypass the oem amp is simple.
Here is the short version

1. Buy the harness Metra 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness For Toyota 87-Up Power 4 Speaker or similar.

2. Extend the harness About 18" and connect with new stereo harness. Mine ended up looking like this:

image-344283195.jpg


3. Unplug the two plugs from the amp behind the passenger-side kick panel and connect those plugs to the matching plugs on the new harness. (Easier done with the glove box out)

4. Run the harness behind the glove box and plug to stereo.

5. Enjoy some tunes

image-344283195.jpg
 
Qball,
Pulled out my EWD book. Keep in mind it is for a 97 80 series and not specifically for the LX 450...

The Yellow wire at the radio/HU appears to be connected to the subwoofer. Looks like it's a ground wire that when grounded forms part of the circuit to drive the sub-woofer.

As for power to the HU, it looks like F11 Cigarette Lighter circuit is the main feed. There is also a feed from the Dome Light fuse. So you'll need to check both those to be sure it has power.

BTW, I'm sure the factory amp is no great thrills. My 50+ yo ears can't tell the difference any more and the wife doesn't let me crank things up much, so the factory amp works for me. Sorry can't be more help in that department.
 
greentruck said:
Qball,
Pulled out my EWD book. Keep in mind it is for a 97 80 series and not specifically for the LX 450...

The Yellow wire at the radio/HU appears to be connected to the subwoofer. Looks like it's a ground wire that when grounded forms part of the circuit to drive the sub-woofer.

As for power to the HU, it looks like F11 Cigarette Lighter circuit is the main feed. There is also a feed from the Dome Light fuse. So you'll need to check both those to be sure it has power.

BTW, I'm sure the factory amp is no great thrills. My 50+ yo ears can't tell the difference any more and the wife doesn't let me crank things up much, so the factory amp works for me. Sorry can't be more help in that department.
Click to expand...



Thanks Greentruck!

Sadly I've already checked and the dome lights are working and cig plug is working also.

My previous post the yellow cable I'm talking about is between the new harness and HU not the factory wires. Guess we'll see to night when I reset the system with a battery disconnect.

Thanks again everyone!
 
Well the battery disconnect did not work triple checked all the fuses and they are all good. Even replaced the disable links for giggles while I was there.

I can't seem to get constant power from the factory blue and white stripe cable. I am at lost so what can I tap to get constant power? I have a fuse box in the back so I am tempted to run a cable all the way from the rear cargo area.

Any ideas on where that cable starts from?

image-3336213492.jpg
 
Qball said:
Well the battery disconnect did not work triple checked all the fuses and they are all good. Even replaced the disable links for giggles while I was there. I can't seem to get constant power from the factory blue and white stripe cable. I am at lost so what can I tap to get constant power? I have a fuse box in the back so I am tempted to run a cable all the way from the rear cargo area. Any ideas on where that cable starts from?
Click to expand...

Maybe I missed this in the thread, but can't you just pull the constant from the cig lighter? I did that trick in a few older cars.
 
RKFZJ80 said:
Maybe I missed this in the thread, but can't you just pull the constant from the cig lighter? I did that trick in a few older cars.
Click to expand...

I didn't know cig plug is constant power, I'll have to check that out.

Thanks
 
Another option is to run your yellow to the battery and add a fuse holder.

Fat-fingered on my iPhone using IH8MUD
 
Ran a wire from my fuse from the back, lots of static noise so probably need to ground to frame instead. Might add a fuse box in the front also for this kind of stuff.......or just a fuse. The sound is great minus the unclean noise. Think I'll bypass the stock amp, the mid/low is pretty distorted when the volume is up higher.

Thanks for all the help guys.
 
RKFZJ80 said:
Maybe I missed this in the thread, but can't you just pull the constant from the cig lighter? I did that trick in a few older cars.
Click to expand...

Actually, that's where the OEM radio gets its power from. Fuse is good though, so...? One thing I didn't think of, does the lighter work? Of course, if it doesn't could just be a bad removable element, but subbing a known good one should determine if power is available there. It's possible the original circuit has been compromised...

Which leads me to suggest checking that the radio plug's pins are all straight and connected properly, too. IIRC, the plug is female and the male pins are all on the radio side.
 
Qball said:
Well the battery disconnect did not work triple checked all the fuses and they are all good. Even replaced the disable links for giggles while I was there.

I can't seem to get constant power from the factory blue and white stripe cable. I am at lost so what can I tap to get constant power? I have a fuse box in the back so I am tempted to run a cable all the way from the rear cargo area.

Any ideas on where that cable starts from?
Click to expand...

Not sure what plug that is. I looked over the EWD closely and could find no blue-white wire indicated anywhere in the circuit, but I could've missed one. Definitely not to the radio/HU itself.

A gray wire brings the power from the cigarette lighter circuit to the radio/HU. Power from the dome light circuit arrives via a Blue/yellow wire
 
Recently had a Kenwood DDX470 installed in the LX I don't think they bypassed the original factory amp. When the volume is low I am getting some feedback off the engine through the stereo system.

Following this thread and some others I think I need to get the factory amp disconnected.
 
PACK MULE said:
Recently had a Kenwood DDX470 installed in the LX I don't think they bypassed the original factory amp. When the volume is low I am getting some feedback off the engine through the stereo system. Following this thread and some others I think I need to get the factory amp disconnected.
Click to expand...
Got the same feedbacks too, getting the harness and bypassing the stock amp, hopefully have all the parts ready today.
 
Last edited:
Hey guys, problem finally all solved! The ticket? Factory amp bypass! It is simpler and way less work than thought. And Thanks to alexbv's info it was a breeze!

1. Like he said I bought the new toyota harness, extended the harness with 20 inches of 16 gauge(18g would been better) wires.

2. Then connect to what ever stereo harness that came with the HU to the extended toyota harness.(most stereo comes with harness now)

3. The factory amp is behind the little dash speaker at passenger right knee. I first took out the glove box(2 screws at the bottom).

3. Then take out 1 screw at the bottom of speaker grill and 2 screws that were hold the amp in place behind the speaker grill.

4. I actually unplugged the amp altogether, it has 3 plugs the 2 gray ones are the ones the harness connect to. The third white plug I just left it.

5. Connect the harness and ran it behind glove box to the HU

Once it was connected to the new HU everything worked perfectly, sounds way better without any static! Took me an hour tops. So if you are thinking of upgrading the stereo on a LX or LC BYPASS the factory amp! It was nothing but headache so don't wast your time with the damn thing! Sorry about the bad cellphone pix.

image-3369490082.jpg


image-820153595.jpg


image-3469543097.jpg


image-1548602155.jpg
 
Last edited:
NLXTACY said:
Hey that's a great idea! :hmmm:
Click to expand...

Hahaha.....well the mud search didn't come up with a clear warning of the consequence if not bypassing the amp. But hind sight is always 20/20.

I am loving the new stereo! Can't believe these speakers are only 30 bucks a pair, they really sound awesome. Time the replace the lame dash speakers and maybe add a small sub somewhere, hate to lose cargo space though. Anyone has the pioneer part number for the tiny speakers? Is it even worth the trouble and I should just disconnect them? Has anyone mounted a sub to the center console? It is completely empty anyways.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

stevenmichael
I broke off the top of the bleeder screw dig it out or get a new one ?
Replies
5
Views
443
Rusty Marlin
Rusty Marlin
B
Cant figure out what the want me to pay for
Replies
12
Views
235
Dindu Nuffin
D
O
Power antenna troubleshooting after new head unit and motor tear down.
Replies
2
Views
536
OklahomaNibbler
O
e9999
What's the easiest way to make sure gas is getting to the injectors?
Replies
13
Views
951
LongDuck
LongDuck

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom