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Installed aftermarket CarPlay module in Toyota RAV4.

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Shil098

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Has anyone installed such CarPlay module into a car which doesn’t have OEM wired CarPlay built in?
I've just installed one in my Toyota RAV4 2014 radio model 510011. and it's working fine. Wired or wireless. Control from the steering wheel etc works. so I wonder if it'll always work like that.
Image
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Yes, I also considered changing the screen, but I saw a lot of people on Amazon saying that Android system has a lot of problems. So I didn’t change my screen unit and only add a CarPlay module, so that I can keep my original system. And if I stop CarPlay one day, I can switch back.
I also saw a Tesla screen, so if any of you have used a Tesla screen for Toyota , please share the reviews with us. Thank you!
 
#5 ·
Shil098 said:
Yes, I also considered changing the screen, but I saw a lot of people on Amazon saying that Android system has a lot of problems. So I didn’t change my screen unit and only add a CarPlay module, so that I can keep my original system. And if I stop CarPlay one day, I can switch back.
I also saw a Tesla screen, so if any of you have used a Tesla screen for Toyota , please share the reviews with us. Thank you!
Click to expand...
11-inch or 17-inch multitouch screen? Sounds cool!
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
No, I just got a link from a friend of mine. He works in China, he said that in fact, most of the CarPlay modules and screens we see in the aftermarket are from the same factory, they change the brand, change the packaging, change the location, and then sell different prices. The real factory started their online shop in the past two years. I compared a lot of product images on Amazon and they were almost identical. So I didn't hesitate to buy from carputech. I just installed it and it's working fine. I hope it stays that good.
The product link:For Toyota 2014-2019 | Apple Carplay & Android Auto Module
And I spent $169 with their XMAS coupon code CHRIS30. I am not sure if it is still valid, but you can have a try.
BTW, they also have Tesla style screens for other cars, but it’s overpriced for me. Maybe one day I will change my mind.
 
#8 ·
Shil098 said:
No, I just got a link from a friend of mine. He works in China, he said that in fact, most of the CarPlay modules and screens we see in the aftermarket are from the same factory, they change the brand, change the packaging, change the location, and then sell different prices. The real factory started their online shop in the past two years. I compared a lot of product images on Amazon and they were almost identical. So I didn't hesitate to buy from carputech. I just installed it and it's working fine. I hope it stays that good.
The product link:For Toyota 2014-2019 | Apple Carplay & Android Auto Module
And I spent $169 with their XMAS coupon code CHRIS30. I am not sure if it is still valid, but you can have a try.
BTW, they also have Tesla style screens for other cars, but it’s overpriced for me. Maybe one day I will change my mind.
Click to expand...
Really wish a reputable brand would come out with a CarPlay head unit that takes design cues from the China brands.

Or Apple offering head unit parts of their own.
 
#9 ·
Shil098 said:
No, I just got a link from a friend of mine. He works in China, he said that in fact, most of the CarPlay modules and screens we see in the aftermarket are from the same factory, they change the brand, change the packaging, change the location, and then sell different prices. The real factory started their online shop in the past two years. I compared a lot of product images on Amazon and they were almost identical. So I didn't hesitate to buy from carputech. I just installed it and it's working fine. I hope it stays that good.
The product link:For Toyota 2014-2019 | Apple Carplay & Android Auto Module
And I spent $169 with their XMAS coupon code CHRIS30. I am not sure if it is still valid, but you can have a try.
BTW, they also have Tesla style screens for other cars, but it’s overpriced for me. Maybe one day I will change my mind.
Click to expand...
I saw that carlinkit also sells carplay modules. And it seems that the product is the same, but the price of carlinkit will be higher.
In my opinion, carlinkit has a good reputation. I always thought they would be the source supplier, but if you study carefully you will find many similar products, so you can't be sure who is the real supplier. But I don’t think it’s important. I don’t really care about price. As long as their products are of good quality and their after-sales service is good, I’m willing to recognize them regardless of whether they are real suppliers or not. Having said that, real factories should not have so much energy for after-sales service. They need to do R&D and production. It is difficult to find a business that integrates R&D, production, sales, and after-sales. So the online stores we usually see are dealers.
 
#10 ·
Is this really just a plug and play box?

So you 1) remove head unit, 2) unplug factory harness, 3) stash the module in the dash behind the head unit, 4) plug the module to the factory harness, 5) plug the harness back to factory head unit, then 6) reinstall head unit?

Or is there more to it???
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
emsee said:
Is this really just a plug and play box?

So you 1) remove head unit, 2) unplug factory harness, 3) stash the module in the dash behind the head unit, 4) plug the module to the factory harness, 5) plug the harness back to factory head unit, then 6) reinstall head unit?

Or is there more to it???
Click to expand...
Image

This is the product and all the wires I received.
Yes, you need to 1) remove head unit, 2) unplug factory harness, 3) stash the module in the dash behind the head unit, 4) plug the module to the factory harness, 5) plug the harness back to factory head unit, then 6) reinstall head unit. And then there's a switch on the box and you need to set it according to their numbers, which takes less than a minute. and that's all. It's really simple.
Maybe this sounds a bit difficult, but it's actually plug and play and easy. They will have installation videos for your reference. It took me more than 10 minutes to install it on my own car, but it took a total of 6 minutes when I installed this product on my friend's CHR.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Hi folks,
I have one of these installed in my 2017 Rav4 XLE AWD. It was amazingly simple to install and works pretty well.
Just be aware that there is at least one model Entune 2.0 radio in the Gen4 RAV4s that is NOT compatible with this unit.
Unfortunately, that's the one I have.
The company I was working with (CARABC) eventually gave up trying to make it work and now just lists that model radio as incompatible in their Amazon ads.
The problem I have is that the touch screen swiping does not work in the car play app screens. You can still get a lot out of the unit if you only use 8 apps (the number that show up in each app screen) but you have no way to swipe to the next screen to reach the remaining apps.
Workaround: you can at least ask Siri to open an app even if it is not showing on the screen to touch.
Anyway... Here is the info on my car/radio in case it helps somebody else:
2017 RAV4 XLE AWD built in Japan (J vin)
Entune Premium w/Nav 86100-42241 (not JBL)
100575 shown on the face plate of the radio

If you install one of these and the screen doesn't respond to swiping to change pages, you may have stumbled on another model that is not fully compatible... Hoping this might save somebody some headache instead of going through a bunch of returns to see if you just got a bad one.

14June2025
updating after having the unit installed for over a year…
See Mr3Putts’s note re touching the dots on the bottom to get around swiping. This does work for me too, although my screen seems to be selective as to when it responds.
only other note I have is I found that left and right audio were backwards. I located the left and right audio wires on the connector at the carabc unit and swapped them; problem solved. (Sorry. I looked for my notes in which wires those were, but I can’t find them. I think they were the two same color wires noted in the attached picture.)
Image
 
#15 ·
Shil098 said:
Hi rjbeep,
My friend also had a problem like yours, he asked carputech for help and they sent him a remote control and that one worked
Click to expand...
Hi Shil098,

Any chance your friend could share a photo/ info on the remote they received along with any instructions on how they connected it to the system?

I'd like to see if I can find a way to do something similar with mine.

Thanks very much, to you and your friend, for any additional info you can provide.

Best regards,
rjb
 
#17 ·
Shil098 said:
Has anyone installed such CarPlay module into a car which doesn’t have OEM wired CarPlay built in?
I've just installed one in my Toyota RAV4 2014 radio model 510011. and it's working fine. Wired or wireless. Control from the steering wheel etc works. so I wonder if it'll always work like that. View attachment 202710
Click to expand...
Chicago-area: anybody able to install in OUR Rav4 2017?
Help appreciated!
 
#18 ·
rjbeep said:
The problem I have is that the touch screen swiping does not work in the car play app screens. You can still get a lot out of the unit if you only use 8 apps (the number that show up in each app screen) but you have no way to swipe to the next screen to reach the remaining apps.


If you install one of these and the screen doesn't respond to swiping to change pages, you may have stumbled on another model that is not fully compatible... Hoping this might save somebody some headache instead of going through a bunch of returns to see if you just got a bad one.
Click to expand...
I had the same issue with not being able to swipe (I just installed then Carputech model in a 2017 Rav4 XLE Hybrid)

I found that if you want to move screens, if you lightly press and hold the far right (or left) little dot on the bottom of the display, the screen will scroll right (or left).

I'm not sure if this is your fix, but it did work for me.
 
#19 ·
Is it truly plug-and-play? Not quite sure yet, might be bordering on plug-and-pray.

Just installed one yesterday in my wife's '18 Limited Hybrid AWD. As far as the mechanical (and electrical) installation, yes, it's truly plug-and-play. However, after it's all installed, you need to do all the programming, pairing, etc. that can be a bit of a pain. I think I have most of it worked out, we'll see what my wife finds on her commute.

rjbeep said:
Hi folks,
I have one of these installed in my 2017 Rav4 XLE AWD. It was amazingly simple to install and works pretty well.
Just be aware that there is at least one model Entune 2.0 radio in the Gen4 RAV4s that is NOT compatible with this unit.
Unfortunately, that's the one I have.
... Here is the info on my car/radio in case it helps somebody else:
2017 RAV4 XLE AWD built in Japan (J vin)
Entune Premium w/Nav 86100-42241 (not JBL)
100575 shown on the face plate of the radio

If you install one of these and the screen doesn't respond to swiping to change pages, you may have stumbled on another model that is not fully compatible... Hoping this might save somebody some headache instead of going through a bunch of returns to see if you just got a bad one.
Click to expand...
What were you experiencing that made it 'incompatible'? Just the lack of screen swiping?

I noticed that I could not change screens, then saw that @Mr3Putt offered what might be a solution. Have not tried that yet.

The info on your radio is VERY close to mine. All identical, except the moodel is 86100-42242.

.
 
#20 ·
apologies for the very late response.

thanks for this!
I just tried it and at first it did not seem to work for me. However, it may just be that my screen is less sensitive or damaged in some way because I DID get it to respond to your suggestion a few times.

Maybe I just need to practice a bit to get just the right touch.
In any case, this is definitely a useful workaround.

thanks again!

Mr3Putt said:
I had the same issue with not being able to swipe (I just installed then Carputech model in a 2017 Rav4 XLE Hybrid)

I found that if you want to move screens, if you lightly press and hold the far right (or left) little dot on the bottom of the display, the screen will scroll right (or left).

I'm not sure if this is your fix, but it did work for me.
Click to expand...
 
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