TROUBLESHOOT/FAQ: Beat-Sonic MVA-23L on 2001-2003 LS 430

[Eric@beatsonicusa.com]

Product Link: Beat-Sonic MVA-23L

Compatibility: 2001-2003 Lexus LS 430 with factory navigation.

Brief Description: This kit allows a seamless plug and play integration of an aftermarket head unit to work with factory electronics including OEM navigation, OEM navigation turn by turn direction voice with audio interrupt, OEM screen controls, OEM climate control, OEM amplifier, steering wheel controls. The MVA-23L kit also comes with a dash piece that provides a perfect fit and OEM color matching finish for you new aftermarket head unit.

Pictures:


#1
Q: The sound is not coming out.
A1: Double check the installation and wire connections to make sure all the wires from the MVA-23L Adapter is connected. Also double check to make sure all the wires are secured.
A2: Double check the ground wire and make sure it is secured.
A3: Double check the blue amplifier remote wire to make sure it is secured and connected.

#2
Q: I do not want to cut or modify the MVA-23L adapter harness. Which connectors do I need to keep the installation 100% plug and play?
A1: We highly encourage customers to not cut, tamper with or modify the MVA-23L adapter and harness. Most stereo shops will cut the ends of the bullet terminals that we already attached and use their own connectors. Remind your installer not to cut them to ensure your warranty is not voided. The correct connector you need is the BULLET TERMINALS, MALE and FEMALE. 16-14 Gauge Cal. You can easily purchase these at your local Autoparts store like Autozone.

#3
Q: My speaker sound is distorted. How do I fix this?
A1: Confirm that only the front two speaker outputs were used and connected to the Beat-Sonic MVA-23L adapter. The Beat-Sonic MVA-23L kit for Lexus LS 430 only uses two front speaker outputs as the OEM amplifier only has 2 channels and those 2 channels are connected to the MVA-23L electronic integration module.  Make sure the aftermarket rear speaker outputs are disconnected and sealed from contact.
A2: The MVA and RX series system works by using the audio signal in serial connection from aftermarket system, feeding the speaker output (variable low impedance) into the OEM system. Therefore, turning the aftermarket system audio output to too little volume can result in noticeable hiss, while turning it too high may cause distortion.  Always find a sweet spot in the aftermarket system output, and then use only the OEM audio volume control to make volume adjustments.  You might want to use the OEM FM radio and aftermarket FM radio to setup the aftermarket system output levels to match that of OEM radio output as calibration point, then fix the aftermarket system volume and use the OEM volume control from that point. 
A3: Disconnection of rear audio volume switch in the armrest can also help if the noise issue is caused by some interference from having two separate volume circuits (along with the steering mounted volume controller).  This may or may not be a problem. 
A4: If you are using any aftermarket amplifiers, ipod controllers, ext source, or any type of accessory DVD changers in addition to the OEM devices, then make sure there are no ground loop issues with the entire system. 
A5: As with any custom system in a car with so much on-board equipment, noise from various ground looping or DC electromagnetic hum can be difficult to isolate and only trick I can say for that is patience and diligence in separating audio signals from DC current lines and loops in ground connections.  Toyota cars are built pretty well in terms of design on these issues, but locations and contact/splice points of aftermarket systems can still cause issues with noise.
A6: When the volume on the new head unit is adjusted too low and the volume from the steering wheel control is too high, noise is likely to occur. In contrary, if the volume from the steering wheel control is too low and the volume from the new head unit is adjusted too high, sound clipping may occur. The recommended setting is to keep the volume level on the new head unit at 50% of maximum and adjust the volume only with the steering wheel buttons.

#4
Q: The front/rear speaker fader and left/right speaker balance is not balanced even at 0 settings? How do I fix it?
A1: Connect the factory OEM head unit back to the vehicle, set fader and balance settings to 0, then install you aftermarket headunit again.

#5
Q: The FM reception has became worse after installing an aftermarket head unit with the Beat-Sonic Adapter. How to fix this?
A1: Kenwood and Pioneer tuners have notoriously been difficult with AM/FM reception on some glass mounted antenna and rooftop fin or stub antenna.  Make sure though that the grounding for the head unit chassis and any peripheral amps and DSP units are secure and ample.  Also in the case of the LS430, check that the radio antenna box and tuner are both getting power with the aftermarket radio on.

Also try mounting the second coax to the chassis ground on the center pin to assist with ground antenna.  Depending on the aftermarket head unit, it may improve reception, but some radio may exhibit ground loop noises or other factors not pleasant.  Play with different combinations of antenna and ground combinations to see if things improve.

Beatsonic antenna cable is only designed to extend the lead to the rear and is made from high quality copper and ample shielding to not interfere with reception or cause issues on the LS430, as such the fault being in the cable or any loss is not the issue, but rather the combination of wire and ground issues or power at the antenna booster amplifier on the OE circuit.

[Eric@beatsonicusa.com]

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