Soarer Radio and TV converions, CD stacker repairs, ECU repairs, Dash repairs and EMV repairs.

Most CD stackers can be repaired. The main problems with them are faulty lasers and loading mechanisms.

The lasers can usually be adjusted to work a bit better and play burnt CDs. The laser clean and adjust and re-alignment of tracking is normally $100 to $150.

About 10% will need a new laser. I can usually find a second hand laser for around $75 to $150.

I can also get new lasers which come with new spindle motor and suspension system; $380 fitted and aligned.

I would personally not recommend a new laser unless you have the later model stacker (which has to have the new style laser…there are three different factory fitted lasers).

I have seen a few stackers which have been fitted with new lasers and have killed them in less than 18 months. Hence I don’t trust the new ones.

Other faults like broken loading mechanisms can be fixed for around $150 to $250.

There are three main types of stacker for the Soarer.

• Without EMV
• With EMV
• Late model non-EMV

The EMV and non-EMV stackers are NOT interchangeable.

The can be converted by changing the main board which then necessitates a re-alignment.

The later model non-EMV can be fitted in place of the early one (don’t know if reverse is true). The main difference is that late models do not check all the discs before starting to play disc 1 when the cartridge is changed. They just go straight to the first slot with a CD and play it…much quicker to load.

To get the stacker out remove the lining on the right side of the boot that covers the stacker. There are then 4 x 10mm nuts/screws holding the stacker and amp brackets in the car. Then unplug the stacker and remove the 4 screws holding it to the brackets. Don’t send any of those screws ‘cos I’ll loose ‘em. Do send the cartridge preferably with a few CDs that skip but take the cartridge out and pack it separately.

I find Aussie Post are best and cheap. Use registered mail ($2.50 extra) as it includes insurance and they seem to take more care when registered.

My address is;

5/57 KREFFT Street, Florey, ACT 2615

Prices do not include postage.

Most EMV repairs involve replacing capacitors on the two EMV circuit boards and also in the computer. The average repair is to replace all the usually faulty capacitors, remove the touch screen and clean it and replace the seal behind the front panel (keeps dust/dirt out of the touch screen). The normal cost for this is $150 to $220 with return registered post included.

The backlight inverters also fail sometimes. Add $50 for inverter repair. Occasionally this is caused by a faulty backlight tube in which case I can supply a 2^nd hand inverter/tube assembly for $70 to $100 depending on availability.

Occasionally there is a fault in the computer involving corroded circuit boards due to leaky capacitors. If it has progressed too far then this fault cannot be repaired. I can supply reconditioned EMV computers for $150 to $220 depending on model.

Many EMV screens have varying degrees of pixel death, little white/coloured spots in the screen image. This is not such a problem unless you watch video on the scree (converted TV or DVD).

New screens are not available from Toyota except as part of a whole EMV assembly which is $4800+GST+duty+freight (brown box display section of EMV only, does not include computer or tape player which are $2800 and $1400 respectively).

There is no source of new screens anywhere in the known Universe other than Toyota. They are a Toshiba screen made especially for Toyota and are not even available from Toshiba.

I sometimes have a reasonable screen available and can generally find a better one to replace the really bad ones. Price will vary depending on condition of the screen. Usually from $180 to $350 ($350 will be a near perfect screen). They are rare and hard to get so you may have to wait if you want a really good one.

Remove the glove box (4 screws) to make it easier to get the aircon switches out. They plug in behind the glove box. Once the EMV is out then take the switches off the EMV (2 screws) and refit them to the car. Remember to plug the hazzard switch in or the indicators won’t work. With the EMV removed and aircon switches refitted the car is drivable and aircon will still work on Auto with demisters and recycle/fresh air settings still working via the switches. You won’t be able to auto tune radio or change CDs on the stacker (it will still work and play from disc one right on through the cartridge but you can’t change discs so put your favourite ones in first)

I find Aussie Post are best and cheap. Use registered mail ($2.50 extra) as it includes insurance and they seem to take more care when registered.

My address is;

5/57 KREFFT Street, Florey, ACT 2615

Both the Radio and TV can be converted in cars prior to 8/’96 manufacture date.

The radio conversion gets rid of the expanders giving much better reception and the correct frequencies are displayed on the EMV as well as station names. Most of the audio screens are displayed in English. Unfortunately the trip meter and other associated screens are not (Vlad is working a on another conversion for them). The tone controls are also made to work on the TV input (they normally don’t) so if the TV is converted or you connect an external input you will have tone controls for it (The TV input is the only place you can connect an external source)

The radio conversion is $550 fitted to your radio including the repair of any faults in the radio (common).

I can do an exchange radio unit for ’91 to ’94 models but I don’t have a spare for the ’94 to 8/’96 models so have to modify your radio if it’s one of those. An extra deposit of $150 will be charged on exchange tuners which will be refunded upon the return of the unmodified radio.

The TV conversion has been around for a while. It converts the Soarer TV to Australian standards. A PAL to NTSC converter is then required between the TV and EMV screen. The TV conversion is available in two versions. One has two extra A/V inputs which are controlled by the EMV (channels 19 and 20 of the TV) and the other does not. The full version is $280 and the other is $200. The PAL to NTSC converter retails for $295 but I get them for $225 (There is NO other alternative converter that will work…so don’t bother asking!!! I have tried them all and this is the only one that is any good and less than $800). The PAL to NTSC converter is connected directly to the modified TV tuner and fitted in place of the non-functional GPS receiver (next to TV under the rear seat) No modification to the factory wiring is required so fitting is straightforward.

Most TV tuners also have the Error 12 fault. I can fix this for an extra $50 while converting them.

So TV conversion is $425 or $505 with the external inputs and usually $50 extra for error 12 repair. (It is probably best to do the error 12 repair even if it hasn’t failed yet because they all do eventually…I’ve only ever seen 3 tuners that haven’t)

I find the TV reception not too bad around Canberra but other people have reported that some places in Melbourne and Sydney are not so good. It is always a bit hit-and-miss while the car is moving.

Removal is covered in the link above. TV tuner part No. is 86010-24050.

The section from number 12 on is what needs doing.

It involves the EMV wiring loom. Three wires are cut, one is taken to 12v, one to earth, and one left disconnected. If necessary, I can supply an exchange modified loom.

Another benefit of the TV conversion is that you can add a reversing camera if you don’t have the factory one. Because the TV conversion has a PAL to NTSC converter you can use a cheaper (eg Jaycar Retail $150) PAL camera which can be wired to use the factory reversing screen on the EMV. Most of the aftermarket cameras are CMOS types and so don’t work in the dark very well unless you add some extra rear lighting but they are otherwise very good. (a camera with reversed image such as the Jaycar one is best for use as a reversing camera).

I can now get a CCD reverse camera which is better than the factory one in low light and is NTSC out so can be used even without the TV conversion ($220 for the new camera) . A connection box may be required to connect the camera to the soarer loom.

A DVD/MP3 etc player can be connected in place of the TV if you don’t want the TV converted. The only provisos are that the player must have NTSC output or you will require a PAL to NTSC converter (TV mod already has one, no need for another if you have it) and there will be no tone controls unless you have the radio mod done. There is at least one DVD stacker available with tone controls/DSP built in;