Ecu Change

September 22, 2014

Just bought 2001 rav 4 auto with genuine 29000 miles on the clock! It is lovely and drives beautifully, just as it says on the tin! However, before buying, I read what seemed to be hundreds of stories of ECU failure, the dreaded symptoms and expensive consequences. What would your advice be on changing the ECU now, before it fails. It ain't broke so don't fix it is a solution, I know, but why not deal with the cause before it arrives? Would 250 wizzbangs spent now give me worry free motoring for the future? Love to hear from you. :euro:

September 22, 2014

Welcome to the club William and it looks on the face of it that you have found a rare 'un with that mileage.

Not all the autos have had the ECU problem and yours hopefully falls into that group.

If however this does happen then prompt action on your part by having the ECU tested and repaired will ensure that no damage will be done to the transmission as many owners have proved. If yours does fail and you send it to some-one like ECU Testing who are reported on here to have a quick turn around time so you would soon be back on the road

Enjoy your RAV and don't worry,It may never give any cause for concern.

One thing that may be worth having checked are the tyres on the sidewalls as they do deteriorate over time even if there is still a good tread on them.

Again welcome

Del

September 23, 2014

William,

Don't take a chance!

The 2001 cars are bang in the middle of the fault in the ECU, I know, I have one and after the unit was serviced and rectified by ECU Testing, (Turn round - Removed Monday and posted that evening, refitted on Thursday morning and complete by lunchtime.)

Mention you are a member of this forum gets you 10% discount. Also a lifetime guarantee on the unit.

Don't muck about! Get it done now to avoid trouble and possibly high expense!

September 23, 2014

William,
Don't take a chance!
The 2001 cars are bang in the middle of the fault in the ECU, I know, I have one and after the unit was serviced and rectified by ECU Testing, (Turn round - Removed Monday and posted that evening, refitted on Thursday morning and complete by lunchtime.)
Mention you are a member of this forum gets you 10% discount. Also a lifetime guarantee on the unit.
Don't muck about! Get it done now to avoid trouble and possibly high expens
Are you saying that you sent your ECU before any problem occurred as you say it was rectified, this suggests to me that it was faulty ?

It would be interesting to know if any remedial work is necessary on a unit that is giving no trouble or even possible

Del

September 24, 2014

You may be correct Del. Spoke to ECU.com asking if they could "repair" the ECU before the usual problems arise and replace the usual bits that deem the repair necessary. They seemed to suggest a replacement refurbished unit would be best, but didn't say what I expected which was "Oh yes, we've done hundreds of them. We know which bits to change. Send it along.!" He did say if is OK now, carry on, keep your wits about you and, as you know the symptoms, deal with it when the problems start without delay. Big smile on face when we went for a little jolly in it yesterday. Lovely vehicle. Best wishes. Bill