trav4.net has a collection of service info. not sure how comprehensive it is but its a lot more than the owners manual.
Service Manuals
Just bought a low mileage 2018 RAV4 LE. Last car I bought was a 2005 Honda Civic, so I am in electronic fix/computer shock as well as sticker shock. I have some questions that I am sure others here can help me with.
1) I need manuals beyond the owner's manual for doing things like adding after market electronics, etc. This means I need pictures/diagrams of all locations and functions for ECUs, cables, connectors/pinouts, relays, wire colors, etc. I do some minor mechanical/maintenance stuff but internal engine or other heavy mechanical stuff, I leave to a mechanic. Given those criteria, what is the best service manual(s) to purchase or use?
2) Had to do my first panic stop (Bambi decided that it was time to cross the road in the middle of a blind corner) yesterday. Missed Bambi and other traffic, but the brake pedal just kept fading until it was pedal-to-the-metal. The car is still under the dealer certified warranty. Time for a trip to the dealer to get this checked?
3) Being an electronic engineer, I am blown away by Toyota switched ground instead of switched hot. For others, how long did it take you to get your head around measuring relays and circuits to ground for operational modes instead of measuring and switching positive voltage?
Thanks.
1) I need manuals beyond the owner's manual for doing things like adding after market electronics, etc. This means I need pictures/diagrams of all locations and functions for ECUs, cables, connectors/pinouts, relays, wire colors, etc. I do some minor mechanical/maintenance stuff but internal engine or other heavy mechanical stuff, I leave to a mechanic. Given those criteria, what is the best service manual(s) to purchase or use?
2) Had to do my first panic stop (Bambi decided that it was time to cross the road in the middle of a blind corner) yesterday. Missed Bambi and other traffic, but the brake pedal just kept fading until it was pedal-to-the-metal. The car is still under the dealer certified warranty. Time for a trip to the dealer to get this checked?
3) Being an electronic engineer, I am blown away by Toyota switched ground instead of switched hot. For others, how long did it take you to get your head around measuring relays and circuits to ground for operational modes instead of measuring and switching positive voltage?
Thanks.
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Thanks. Unfortunately, trying to link the wire colors to connectors to electronic modules to locations is impossible using those files since I have a lot of mods to do. Found the schematics and troubleshooting education section of the European RAV4 was great, but there were no diagrams to go with the schematics and training. Been at this for 2 weeks and I haven't found the entire info in 1 location. Got close, but no winners yet.trav4.net has a collection of service info. not sure how comprehensive it is but its a lot more than the owners manual.
The best I've found so far seems to be the Dave Graham version available on disc from RockAuto - they appear to be copies of the official service manuals. Not badly priced, either. I've got one on order myself.
More info in this link in the forums :Where do I get a service manual for a 2018 Rav?
More info in this link in the forums :Where do I get a service manual for a 2018 Rav?
Thanks. Looks like a lot of downloading. Will do a quick purchase since I only have 1 toyota and see how it goes. I do a lot of photography with large files, so have huge storage drives on my computer.
Unfortunately, for the 2018, they just link the Haynes manual for the 2018. Have looked at one that a friend has and he has notes everywhere in the margins.The best I've found so far seems to be the Dave Graham version available on disc from RockAuto - they appear to be copies of the official service manuals. Not badly priced, either. I've got one on order myself.
More info in this link in the forums :Where do I get a service manual for a 2018 Rav?
I must have missed that this one only covered the years 13-17... There can't be that many major changes between 17 and 18, so for $20 I'm going to get the Dave Graham version, which is the OEM copy... If I find anything that's changed, I'll just hunt it down.Unfortunately, for the 2018, they just link the Haynes manual for the 2018. Have looked at one that a friend has and he has notes everywhere in the margins.
Honda did the same thing with the Pilot - 2015 was the last year of that model generation, and their available Service Manuals only ran to 2014... I picked one up and have yet to observe any difference, but I understand that doesn't mean it cannot happen.
Getting a 2 day subscription to Toyota Techdoc is cheaper and you are sure to get the latest info. It's quite easy to get everything 'printed' to PDF.
There can also be differences based on the location. Techdoc is based on the VIN.
The link provided is for NA vehicles, there could be differences between those and ROW.
I agree that a structured CD is easier to search, you are right about that.
The link provided is for NA vehicles, there could be differences between those and ROW.
I agree that a structured CD is easier to search, you are right about that.
I just stumbled across this link and found it to be very informative. It only covers up to 2016, but so far, other than my ignition switch which has wires that go to locations with no pins in the mating connector and only 6 instead of 7 wires, it is the best electrical info I have found. It is the test for a training class, so it has a lot of troubleshooting info, fault ID info, etc.
ToyEWB.pdf (autoshop101.com)
ToyEWB.pdf (autoshop101.com)
The Graham version has no table of contents or an alphabetic index. You have to scroll through many pages.The best I've found so far seems to be the Dave Graham version available on disc from RockAuto - they appear to be copies of the official service manuals. Not badly priced, either. I've got one on order myself.
More info in this link in the forums :Where do I get a service manual for a 2018 Rav?
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