Where Can I Find?

[Locky454]

Hi,

I'm new to the forums and Toyota (just sold my Vauxhall!)

I have a 2000 Rav4 and am curious if there is a common fault with the stereo? The radio doesn't actually pick up any stations.

I've had the radio out of the dash and the connector is fixed properly in the back of the head unit.

I'm wondering if the problem is the actual aerial or the connection at the aerial?

I don't want to start pulling the ceiling apart until I've got some pointers from your good selves :)

Also, I have a missing roof rail cover missing on the rear drivers side. Does anyone know where I could get just the covers from? I've looked on eBay but not had any luck :(

Cheers,

Andrew

[bothwell_buyer]

I have had problems with one of my 1994 RAVs - same thing - and traced it down to a knackered aerial. As the aerial is embedded in the pillar and was stuck solid, I put it down to corrosion at the base of the aerial. No signal at all from the aerial wire down at the radio unit.

So I decided to fit a DAB unit; DAB aerial and JVC head unit which does bluetooth for my phone; links to the ipod; I can get Capital radio from London (wtf?) and loads more stations + very good reception. The thing plays DVds/CDs; MP3; USB sticks and SD I think. OK all in I think it cost me around £300 but it was fitted quickly and the result is good.

[shcm]

I've had the radio out of the dash and the connector is fixed properly in the back of the head unit.

I'm wondering if the problem is the actual aerial or the connection at the aerial?

Do you have a multimeter with resistance range?

You could try this, assuming there is no antenna amplifier in the way.

The antenna plug that goes into the radio will have two conductors - the outer screen an the inner.

Put the multimeter on resistance range. Put the meter across the antenna plug inner and outer conductor. Check the resistance is very high. This shows the antenna inner coax conductor is not shorted internally or to vehicle ground.

Now put the meter on the plug outer conductor and find a good vehicle earth. It should probably be very low resistance (less than 1ohm). This shows the antenna coax screen is connected to vehicle ground/body as it should be.

Now you'll need a long meter lead or a piece of wire to extend one meter lead. Put one meter lead on the plug inner conductor and connect the other to the antenna (assuming it has metal exposed somewhere) or if the antenna is "unscrewable", probe into the antenna base with the other probe. You might need an assistant for this. You should get a very low resistance reading (hopefully less than 1ohm).

This is only a simple DC test on the antenna lead/coax but it should give enough confidence that the connection from radio to antenna is OK. It assumes there is not any kind of matching networks in the way (e.g. at the antenna end), which may fool a simple DC test, (e.g. an inductor to ground in a matching network would do this @ DC).

[Locky454]

Thanks for the replies. I do have a multi-meter. I'll give that a go :) Cheers!

One other thing that niggles me. The front interior light....is it meant to come on with the rest of the lights when you unlock/open doors? Only the centre and boot light comes on.

[bothwell_buyer]

Thanks for the replies. I do have a multi-meter. I'll give that a go :) Cheers!

One other thing that niggles me. The front interior light....is it meant to come on with the rest of the lights when you unlock/open doors? Only the centre and boot light comes on.

chancing yer luck

get the radio going first!