Well, have you ever been doing such a reprogramming before? Can you give me hintsNo sim...you need a DCM programmed for your region. At least there is a simple solution for those feeling the need to deactivate DCM...just move overseas!
2019 Rav4 DCM deactivate procedure
What I found out about the Data Communication Module (DCM) on my RAV4 is that even after you opt out of any cellular services such as Entune and the SOS feature your car continues to send information to Toyota via the built-in cellular connection. They claim that you "may" receive a discount on your insurance (if you enroll for monitored driving reporting) based on your driving habits, but chances are you will be penalized for driving like I do! Just another reason to drop off the radar screen. So I made it a priority to disable such communication.
Disclaimer: You will lose some convenience and safety features by doing this modification you assume all responsibility for any damages, legal liability, inconvenience or injury that may occur.
In summary I pulled the fuse on the DCM and removed the internal battery. Presumably the battery is there to power the unit if you crash and destroy your 12 volt battery and want to send an SOS.
You can probably avoid the work I did on my car by removing the DCM fuse (shown below) and waiting for the internal DCM battery to die, but I have not tested this approach. The battery is pretty big for a cell phone so it may take quite a while. Verify that DCM is offline by the DCM status shown in the last photo below. Also be wary of using bluetooth as I mention below.
The DCM unit is located behind the HVAC controls on the dash. I made the job way more complicated by removing the center console which was not needed. The HVAC controls pop out using the plastic trim tools that are needed for all modern cars, apparently.
![150083]()
Pulling out the HVAC controls and other components. I took out the radio/screen which was not necessary.
![150082]()
The HVAC controls knobs look like this.
![150086]()
The DCM unit is the lower shiny rectangle. Find two hex bolts (10mm?) that hold the unit in. Remove the DCM and disconnect the wires and antenna.
![Electronics Technology Electrical wiring Electronic device Electrical supply]()
The DCM unit with the battery cover off. I removed the battery on my car and replaced the unit.
![150089]()
Location of the DCM fuse in the footwell along with all the other colored fuses. It is well marked on the fuse box cover, I think it was 7.5 Amps. I took way more plastic off than was necessary (no manual used).
![150090]()
Once things are put back together you will see this display showing that there is no cell connection indicated by the image of a cell phone with the diagonal line through it.
One caveat, if you use bluetooth to connect your phone to the car DCM will use your phone to connect to the mother ship and presumably send your data. I only use my iPhone cable to connect to the car which does not have this effect.
Disclaimer: You will lose some convenience and safety features by doing this modification you assume all responsibility for any damages, legal liability, inconvenience or injury that may occur.
In summary I pulled the fuse on the DCM and removed the internal battery. Presumably the battery is there to power the unit if you crash and destroy your 12 volt battery and want to send an SOS.
You can probably avoid the work I did on my car by removing the DCM fuse (shown below) and waiting for the internal DCM battery to die, but I have not tested this approach. The battery is pretty big for a cell phone so it may take quite a while. Verify that DCM is offline by the DCM status shown in the last photo below. Also be wary of using bluetooth as I mention below.
The DCM unit is located behind the HVAC controls on the dash. I made the job way more complicated by removing the center console which was not needed. The HVAC controls pop out using the plastic trim tools that are needed for all modern cars, apparently.
Pulling out the HVAC controls and other components. I took out the radio/screen which was not necessary.
The HVAC controls knobs look like this.
The DCM unit is the lower shiny rectangle. Find two hex bolts (10mm?) that hold the unit in. Remove the DCM and disconnect the wires and antenna.
The DCM unit with the battery cover off. I removed the battery on my car and replaced the unit.
Location of the DCM fuse in the footwell along with all the other colored fuses. It is well marked on the fuse box cover, I think it was 7.5 Amps. I took way more plastic off than was necessary (no manual used).
Once things are put back together you will see this display showing that there is no cell connection indicated by the image of a cell phone with the diagonal line through it.
One caveat, if you use bluetooth to connect your phone to the car DCM will use your phone to connect to the mother ship and presumably send your data. I only use my iPhone cable to connect to the car which does not have this effect.
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The connector on my 2021 rav4 DCM looks different. Do you know which wires I should jump to get the speaker working? or where I can get a wiring diagram that would tell me?![]()
FWIW: Restoring RH audio with DCM disconnected could be accomplished by jumpering between pins 2&5 and 3&6 of G9 DCM connector...
Contributing some photos from my DCM / aftermarket amp troubleshooting. Was really hoping to have that same 4-pin speaker connector shown above but my 2019 had the big multi-connector. Jumping it did pass the audio through. Just means you can't bypass the DCM without fully removing it in these older models I guess. HU showed a "no mic" warning with the DCM disconnected as well.
![Audio equipment Electronic device Multimedia Electronic instrument Musical instrument accessory]()
![Hood Automotive lighting Automotive exterior Vehicle door Automotive design]()
![Automotive lighting Trunk Automotive design Automotive exterior Bumper]()
Does it control the microphone of the vehicle?![]()
FWIW: Restoring RH audio with DCM disconnected could be accomplished by jumpering between pins 2&5 and 3&6 of G9 DCM connector...
Hello everyone! I've got same issue and mic didn't work (Rav4 2019 w/manual SOS switch). Shorting 18-34 and 19-35 pins solved that. Now I have no message "no mic" and Bluetooth option is available now, I can connect new devices and play music via Bluetooth. But Mic doesn't works, callers can not hear me. In the Service Menu under the "Function Check-Microphone check" microphone doesn't pass the test (it does not work). It seems like signal was been amplified in the DCM (not sure about that). Has anyone solved that? Could you please help? I really get used to handsfree talking using car's audio.
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