2002 SC 430 RADIO REMOVAL

yebisay · Lexus Owner Joined: Dec 07, 2005 Posts: 1

I am trying to hook up a XM radio to my factory radio and I can't figure out how to get the radio out. I've pulled the trim ring around the gear shifter to expose the two 10 mm bolts and taken them out and the radio only rocks up and down but does not come forward any more than about 1/2 inch. All of the things I 've read say that this is all you need to do but I have cut up my hands for about 2 hours straight trying to remove this. I would take it somewhere to have it done but it is a 90 minute drive each way to the closest person that Might know how to do it but I don't have a lot of faith in that shop. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Yebisay

jayveee · Lexus Owner Joined: Sep 04, 2006 Posts: 1

Yebisay- Did you ever get a reply on how to remove the radio, etc.? If so, please let me know!

sdhedrick · Lexus Owner Joined: Feb 03, 2007 Posts: 1

Hi.. after experimenting, I was able to figure out how to pull the radio out of my 2002 Lexus SC430. During my internet searching I came across this link so I thought I'd post here.

Here are some quick instructions (sorry, not overly detailed as I'm in a rush):
1. Pull forward and up on the Seat Heating unit and remove it (dangle it off to the side or something)
2. Put the car in Neutral/Drive and Pull up on the back of the center console (thing with the drink holders in it). Remove the center console (you have a few cables to detach).
3. Once you have the center console removed, you'll see 2 10mm bolts that are easy to get to. Remove those.
4. Now, this step was kinda hard in my car because of how tight the AC unit was in. You have to remove the AC unit. There are no bolts or screws or anything, you simply have to grasp it and while rocking it, pull back and eventually it will pop out. Remove the cables from the back of the AC console unit to remove it.
5. After removing the AC cnosole, you'll now see 2 more 10mm bolts that are rather easy to get to (with a ratchet extension). Remove those 2 10mm bolts.
6. After removing those last 2 bolts, the radio should easily slide forward and out (you have a few cables to remove if you plan on detaching it all together).

So in summary: Remove the center gear shift console, remove the AC unit console and remove the 4 10mm bolts (two above and two below...all easy to get to and remove).

NOTE: You will be removing all of the following when you pull the radio unit/head out (as it's all attached): The radio/internal CD Changer, the wood panel and mechanism that covers the radio.