Page 82 of 1354

The radio wave bands used in radio broadcasting are as follows:
Frequency
Designation
Radio wave
Modulation method
LF: Low frequency MF: Medium Frequency HF: High Frequency VHF: Very High FrequencyAmplitude modulationFrequency modulation 30 kHz
300 kHz3 MHz 30 MHz 300 MHz
LF
MFHFVHF
AM FM
BE0JX−01
BE2818
AM FM(Monaural) FM (Stereo)
BE2819
Fadinglonosphere
BE−66
− BODY ELECTRICALAUDIO SYSTEM
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
AUDIO SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
1. RADIO WAVE BAND
2. SERVICE AREA
There are great differences in the size of the service area for
AM, FM monaural, and FM stereo broadcasts cannot be re-
ceived even though AM comes in very clearly.
Not only does FM stereo have the smallest service area, but it
also picks up static and other types of interference (”noise”)
easily.
3. RECEPTION PROBLEMS
Besides the problem of static, there are also the problems
called ”fading”, ”multipath” and ”fade out”. These problems are
caused not by electrical noise but by the nature of the radio
waves themselves.
(1) Fading:
Besides electrical interference, AM broadcasts are
also susceptible to other types of interference, es-
pecially at night. This is because AM radio waves
bounce off the ionosphere at night. These radio
waves then interfere with the signals from the same
transmitter that reach the vehicle’s antenna directly.
This type of interference is called ”fading”.
Page 83 of 1354

BE2820
Multipath
BE2821
Fade Out
N17398
Example
Head Capstan
Pinch Roller
− BODY ELECTRICALAUDIO SYSTEM
BE−67
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
(2) Multipath:
One type of interference caused by the bouncing of
radio waves off of obstructions is called ”multipath”.
Multipath occurs when a signal from the broadcast
transmitter antenna bounces off buildings and
mountains and interferes with the signal that is re-
ceived directly.
(3) Fade Out:
Because FM radio waves are of higher frequencies
than AM radio waves, they bounce off buildings,
mountains, and other obstructions. For this reason,
FM signals often seem to gradually disappear or
fade away as the vehicle goes behind a building or
other obstruction. This is called ”fade out”.
4. Tape Player/Head Cleaning:
MAINTENANCE
(a) Raise the cassette door with your finger.
Then, using a pencil or like object, push in the guide.
(b) Using a cleaning pen or cotton applicator soaked in clean-
er, clean the head surface, punch rollers and capstans.
Page 84 of 1354

BE277−01
BE−68
− BODY ELECTRICALAUDIO SYSTEM
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
TROUBLESHOOTING
NOTICE:
When replacing the internal mechanism (computer part) of the audio system, be careful that no part
of your body or clothing comes in contact with the terminals of the leads from the IC etc. of the re-
placement part (spare part).
HINT:
This inspection procedure is a simple troubleshooting which should be carried out on the vehicle during sys-
tem operation and was prepared on the assumption of system component troubles (except for the wires and
connectors, etc.).
Always inspect the trouble taking the following items into consideration.
Open or short circuit of the wire harness
Connector or terminal connection fault
ProblemNo.
RadioNo power coming in.1
Power coming in, but radio not operating.2
Noise present, but AM − FM not operating.3
Either speaker does not work.4
Either AM or FM does not work.5
Reception poor (Volume faint).5
Few preset tuning bands.5
Sound quality poor.6
Cannot set station select button.6
Preset memory disappears.7
Tape PlayerCassette tape cannot be inserted.8
Cassette tape inserted, but no power.9
Power coming in, but tape player not operating.10
Either speaker does not work.11
Sound quality poor (Volume faint).12
Tape jammed, malfunction with tape speed or auto−reverse.13
APS, SKIP, RPT buttons not operating.14
Cassette tape will not ejected.15
AntennaAntenna−related.16
NoiseNoise produced by vibration or shock while driving.17
Noise produced when engine starts.18
Page 86 of 1354
V07430
1 Radio NO POWER COMING IN
Is tape player operating normally?Radio assembly faulty. Ye s
No
Check CIG & RAD fuse is OK?
OKNG
Replace fuse.
Is ACC applied to radio?No
ACC wire harness faulty.
Ye s
Check if GND (wire harness side) to radio is OK?NG
GND wire harness faulty.
OK
Radio assembly faulty.
2Radio POWER COMING ON, BUT RADIO NOT OPERATING
A Antenna w/o Motor
Do speakers pop when the volume switch is turned
to maximum and then the power is switch ON?A
Go to No.23.If radio side
faulty
Radio faulty.
No
Is tape player operating normally?
NoYe s
Is power for the antenna
being output from the radio
or radio assembly?No
Radio assembly
faulty.
Does continuity exist in speaker wire harness?
Ye sNo
Speaker wire harness faulty.Ye s
Go to No.23.
If radio side
faulty
Temporarily install another speaker
Function OK?Ye s
Speaker faulty.Radio assembly
faulty.
Radio assembly faulty.No
BE−70
− BODY ELECTRICALAUDIO SYSTEM
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
Page 87 of 1354
V07431
3
RadioNOISE PRESENT, BUT AM−FM NOT OPERATING
Is power for the antenna being output from the
radio or radio assembly?No
Radio assembly faulty.
Ye s
Go to No.17.
If radio side faulty
Is tape player operating normally?Ye s
No
Hiss noise from speaker?No
Power amplifier faulty. Recheck system after repair.
Ye s
Radio asembly faulty. Recheck system after repair.
4Radio
EITHER SPEAKER DOES NOT WORK
Is tape player operating normally?
NoYe s
Radio assembly faulty.
Is hiss noise produced by non−functioning speaker?
NoYe s
Does continuity exist in speaker wire harness?No
Speaker wire harness faulty.
Ye s
Temporarily install another speaker.
Function OK?Ye s
Speaker faulty.
NoRadio assembly faulty.
Radio assembly faulty.Radio assembly faulty. Radio assembly faulty.
− BODY ELECTRICALAUDIO SYSTEM
BE−71
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
Page 88 of 1354
V07432
5
RadioEITHER AM OR FM DOES NOT WORK, RECEPTION
POOR (VOLUME FAINT), FEW PRESET TUNING BANDS
Problem with radio wave signals or location?Poor signals or poor location. Ye s
No
Are both AM and FM defective?No
Is power for the antenna being output from
the radio assembly?Ye s
Ye s
Go to No.17.
Temporarily install another speaker.
Functions OK?Speaker faulty. Ye s
NoRadio assembly faulty.
No
If radio side faulty.
NoYe s
Is tape player operating normaly?
Radio assembly faulty.
Radio assembly faulty.
BE−72
− BODY ELECTRICALAUDIO SYSTEM
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
Page 94 of 1354
V04924
16
AntennaANTENNA−RELATED
Is antenna extended.No
Extend fully.
Ye s
Temporarily install another antenna.
Functions OK?Antenna faulty. Ye s
No
Radio side faulty.
17
NoiseNOISE PRODUCED BY VIBRATION OR SHOCK WHILE
DRIVING
Is speaker properly installed?
Ye sNo
Install properly.
Is each system correctly installed?
Ye sNo
With vehicle stopped, lightly tap each system.
Is noise produced?
NoYe s
Each system faulty.
Noise produced by static electricity accumulating
in the vehicle body.
BE−78
− BODY ELECTRICALAUDIO SYSTEM
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
Page 97 of 1354
BE278−01
BE4671
Antenna Nut
BE5781
− BODY ELECTRICALAUDIO SYSTEM
BE−81
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
REMOVAL
REMOVE ANTENNA ROD
HINT:
Perform this operation with the negative (−) terminal cable con-
nected to the battery.
(a) Turn the ignition switch to the ”LOCK” position.
(b) Remove the antenna nut.
(c) Press the ”AM” buttons on the radio receiver, and simulta-
neously turn the ignition switch to the ”ACC” position.
HINT:
The rod will extend fully and be released from the motor
antenna.
After removing the antenna rod, leave the ignition switch
at ”ACC”.
NOTICE:
TO prevent body damage when the antenna rod is released,
hold the rod while it comes out.