This is my first post so please don't kill me.

Nah, we only do that when they are REALLY annoying :lol:
:welcome: to TN

My wife accidentally busted the DVD Navigation system screen. I have found an OEM replacement. I removed the center console (to move the horribly placed snow button). I see the connector for the rear of the vehicle and have it plugged in. The snow button is plugged in. There is a grey connector (I think it has 6 wires positioned in one row but I cannot get to it from here). I have no idea where this grey connctor plug goes.

Ok I'm a bit confused trying to understand what your saying. Connector for the rear of the vehicle...? Where is the grey connector? A picture of the connector and where it is speaks a 1000 words in a situation like this.

 

A picture is worth 1000 words

Man as stupid as I sound with the 100 or so words I have already used 1000 would definitely get me killed!
I will try to post a pic later.
There is a harness that runs from the dash to the center console (big white plug). It splits off into four other harnesses. One goes to the cigarette lighter, another goes to the snow button, another to the rear ac controls (never the less it is not the issue) and the other goes I don't know where. It is a grey harness.
All I have in the center console are the cup holders, the snow button and the lighter.
I could just go test drive a new one and yank it apart LOL.
Thank you.

 

Man as stupid as I sound with the 100 or so words I have already used 1000 would definitely get me killed!

:lol:

There is a harness that runs from the dash to the center console (big white plug). It splits off into four other harnesses. One goes to the cigarette lighter, another goes to the snow button, another to the rear ac controls (never the less it is not the issue) and the other goes I don't know where. It is a grey harness.
All I have in the center console are the cup holders, the snow button and the lighter.
I could just go test drive a new one and yank it apart LOL.
Thank you.

Ok i thought that's what you meant, I just wanted to be sure. I know exactly what that connector is. BUT just to be positive, I just went out to my car, popped out that panel to make sure its its the right one, and its this one correct?

Like I said before the car is mostly pre-wired, that's the plug for the downhill assist control button that would be installed on that panel if you had awd. I looked at the electric wire diagram for that switch and it matches that connector/wire color. So that doesn't have to do with the SRS system, and should be unplugged if you have a FWD.

Are you sure you reconnected every connection behind the new headunit. Also have you tried pulling the battery terminal to reset the computer. I've tripped the SRS warning light a few times working on my car and that did the trick.

 

Awesome!

Yes that wire is it. I do not have AWD. The new head unit is not connected yet. I hope that is why I am having the warning. I have the little display that goes above the head unit put in and working.

 

Sweeney... I don't want to derail the thread, but you have me drooling over that pic. I've been wanting to do some "work" in that exact area of the Highlander since I had my '08, but have been too scared to start digging in. When you say you went out to your HL and "popped out that panel", is it really as easy as it sounds, or is there more to it (I see that you also pulled the cigarette lighter/aux jack/seat heater panel just in the front of it)? Also, am I seeing right... do those cup holders pop out? That is exactly the area I want to work in! I want to install a RAM ball mount in the cup holder, but haven't done so because I already know the wrath of the wife. However, if those cup holders just pop out, I can always find another one which at a junk yard which "shouldn't"[/u] cost too much so I will so I don't have to "damage" (as the wife would say) that current one.

 

It is basically as easy as popping it out. It took me all of 25 sec to remove the 2 panels, and yes both have to come out. Here is how:
(Luck123, I'm borrowing your picture :lol

The best way I've found to remove that panel shown above is to reach into the gap between the steering wheel and the panel with a finger or 2. Then just pull it straight away from the dash. It will take a LOT of force to pop the side off. Then work your way to the middle, then the other side (open the glove box). Next the car needs to be in N or D to clear the shifter, in P the panel can't clear it. Once that panel is free, there should be 3 connectors on the back (one on the back of the aux in, one on the back of the heated seat control, and one on the back of the 12v outlet). Now toss that aside....

For the main center console, reach into the new gap and look for the white connector shown in my pic in the other post. Unhook that. There are only push pins that hold the main console in place. Pull it straight up and it will be free of the car.


As for the cupholders, I think they are molded into the panel (though I've never looked at them specifically for that). I think those tabs around it are for the chrome trim piece.

 

I know there is a black connector below the radio that has to plug into the SRS display / Hazard button plate. If that is not plugged in the airbag warning will stay on.

 

Speaking of the chrome trim pieces around the cup holders, has anyone ever blacked those out? I hate these things, they always seem to reflect light directly into my eyes. Would love to "mute" them in some way.

 

Yes if I am not mistaken I have all of those pugged in. I should recieve the new head unit tomorrow and can make certain everything is plugged in at that point. There are not alot of "wasted" wires in the dash and best I could remember everything plugged in... except the wire sweeneyp pointed out for the downhill assist control button (which I don't have). All I really wanted to do was move that stupidly placed snow button. Horrible spot. There was a blank about where your knee would hit to the lower right of the steering wheel. I puilled out that blank and moved the snow button there. Plenty of places to hide the wires for it and getting the panels off was a breeze.
Thank you.