Electrical Problem Rav4

[stevebg]

Hi folks - Have a 1996 Rav 4 petrol 128000 miles. Was running with no problems then suddenly stopped. Was as if the ignition had been switched off. The "Malfunction indicator lamp" in the instrument cluster lit up indicating an electrical problem. Starter motor working fine, but no spark to the spark plugs.

Is this the infamous problem with the alarm system or another problem? All suggestions gratefully received. (No Toyota dealer near us here in Bulgaria!!)

[bothwell_buyer]

I would doubt it to be an alarm problem if the Battery never went flat and things just stopped suddenly.

Check the normal things like fuses. If the stater is working fine, then the earth connections are ok. Have you got people like auto-electricians out there?

[stevebg]

I would doubt it to be an alarm problem if the battery never went flat and things just stopped suddenly.

Check the normal things like fuses. If the stater is working fine, then the earth connections are ok. Have you got people like auto-electricians out there?

Thanks for that. Have checked all the fuses and they all seem fine. Took the car to one auto electrician and he diagnosed that the camshaft wasn't turning. Towed it back home - no, nothing wrong with the camshaft!!

Am going to try another garage today - fingers crossed. Will let you know.

[mrbilly]

Have you checked the timing belt to see if that has snapped

[anchorman]

no, nothing wrong with the camshaft!!

Is so! It should be turning if you crank the engine and furthermore it is regarded an "interference" engine. I tend to agree with mrbilly - I think you should look a bit closer at that.

[stevebg]

Camshaft is turning when the engine is turned over and is driving the rotor arm in the distributer. Had the cambelt changed 2000 miles ago. Towed it to another garage today so fingers crossed that they will find the problem. Thanks again for your ideas - will let you know the progress!

[mrbilly]

there is fuel in the tank yeah, also is there any spark at all, is it a stax edition rav4