[timhay22]

Hi. New owner here. In the boot of my 2005/6 Tx4, on the left hand side about half way up next to the removable panel to access rear bulbs, is a small circular switch. When pressed down, it shows a red edge. Pushed the other way and the red edge is not visible.

I have no manual as I acquired the car used. Can anyone tell me what this switch does please?

 

[Blogson]

Where are you located? You did not complete your profile so we do not know, but if you are in Europe and have a Euro-spec RAV4 since the model which you have is not known here as far as I can determine you might try this forum: Home | RAV4 Drivers Club
This forum is primarily North America - based.

 

[Cutlass92]

That's definitely aftermarket, so you'll need to pull that panel and see where the wires go.

 

[DL175]

Looks like light switch.

 

[JuneBug]

That switch was added by a previous owner. It might turn on that 12 volt power port, a light, or some other accessory. The only way to know for sure is to open that panel and see where the wires go.

 

[timhay22]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Will check out the euro forum too. You guys just seen more active than us Europeans with the info!


FYI - 99.9% sure it isn’t after market or retro fit as the plastic molding in the panel surrounding it is even flared to recess the switch so that would mean the need to switching out the full panel and of course that someone had manufactured one to accommodate the switch. Weird right!?

Will let you know if I get to the bottom of it but so far from all investigation and wire tracing etc, it doesn’t seem to activate lights, rear door lock/child switch, fuel cap release (as it's parallel and inside the fuel cap).

The mystery continues!!

 

[Blogson]

Thanks for the update. Please let us know what your research reveals. Agree that the switch appears to be OEM, but some owners have managed to make aftermarket appear to be OEM.

 

[Salsaman06]

......FYI - 99.9% sure it isn’t after market or retro fit as the plastic molding in the panel surrounding it is even flared to recess the switch so that would mean the need to switching out the full panel and of course that someone had manufactured one to accommodate the switch. Weird right!?....

That “flare” looks to be part of the switch not the panel. Definitely looks aftermarket.

 

[Francesco]

I know that many years ago in France a single rear red position light need to be on at night on the left rear of the car if the car was parked on a road or highway. I haven't lived in Europe for more than 53 years so I don't know if it still applies. My friends Citroen 2CV had it.


Frank 2015 Rav4 XLE AWD with over 24K miles

 

[JuneBug]

No, that is an aftermarket switch. Somebody drilled a hole in the panel and mounted it there. Toyota has never used that style of switch.

 

[timhay22]

Hi all. Thanks for the feedback. I took a trip to a main dealer earlier and had the parts dept look as despite the flush install, the aftermarket answer seemed to make sense.

They said it is a dealer modification (hence the good fit and new panel) but was done after market as it isn’t standard.

It’s to turn off the rear parking sensor so if/when a tow bar is in use, the sensor doesn’t constantly sound when reversing. Who knew!

Thanks for all the clues and info.

 

[Blogson]

Thanks for the update and letting us know the outcome. Interesting to know that the switch and panel are a dealer aftermarket modification as they did an excellent job of it. Your RAV4 is equipped with an audible reversing warning function? Is that standard factory equipment or is that also aftermarket? When we lived in the UK our cars were not equipped with that sort of warning device.

 

[ravenuer]

Thanks for the update and letting us know the outcome. Interesting to know that the switch and panel are a dealer aftermarket modification as they did an excellent job of it. Your RAV4 is equipped with an audible reversing warning function? Is that standard factory equipment or is that also aftermarket? When we lived in the UK our cars were not equipped with that sort of warning device.

My 2010 Base is equipped with "Parking Distance/Digital Backup Sensors, Opt code PP6". I bought it CPO just over a year old with 8k on it and it's not on the window sticker, so I assume it was a dealer or "port" install.

 

[Ikram]

Hi. New owner here. In the boot of my 2005/6 Tx4, on the left hand side about half way up next to the removable panel to access rear bulbs, is a small circular switch. When pressed down, it shows a red edge. Pushed the other way and the red edge is not visible.

I have no manual as I acquired the car used. Can anyone tell me what this switch does please?

The switch is reverse sensor switch.

 

[Bigbaddave]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Will check out the euro forum too. You guys just seen more active than us Europeans with the info!


FYI - 99.9% sure it isn’t after market or retro fit as the plastic molding in the panel surrounding it is even flared to recess the switch so that would mean the need to switching out the full panel and of course that someone had manufactured one to accommodate the switch. Weird right!?

Will let you know if I get to the bottom of it but so far from all investigation and wire tracing etc, it doesn’t seem to activate lights, rear door lock/child switch, fuel cap release (as it's parallel and inside the fuel cap).

The mystery continues!!

 

[Bigbaddave]

I also have this switch in mine don't know what it does

 

[DL175]

I also have this switch in mine don't know what it does

It appears to be in UK cars only but most forum members only drive NA models which is different than yours. Can you check the owners manual.

 

[Blogson]

I also have this switch in mine don't know what it does

Read Post #11!

 

[Bigbaddave]

It appears to be in UK cars only but most forum members only drive NA models which is different than yours. Can you check the owners manual.

 

[Bigbaddave]

I will take a look tomorrow see if I find a answer