2004 RAV turns over but won’t start

[SusieN]

Hello, I have an ancient 2004 RAV 4 XT3 VVTI. It’s been relatively trouble-free in the 11 years I’ve had it but suddenly wouldn’t start a few days ago. I don’t drive it much and have to charge the Battery with a kit every week or so to keep it ticking over. The engine cranks but doesn’t fire. Any initial thoughts about what might be wrong? 

[Hadrian1]

To check to see if it's fuel related, spray some quick start in the air intake to see if it fires up for a moment.

When was it last serviced ?

[Bper]

Hi Susie, there are a couple of things that could be causing your RAV4 to crank but not fire, and the fact that you need to charge the Battery frequently is a good clue. Even though you charge it regularly, the Battery might not be holding a strong enough charge. This could be due to the age of the Battery itself. When an engine cranks but doesn't fire, a weak battery is a common problem. Since you need to charge the battery often, there might be a current drain somewhere in the electrical system. This drain could be slowly weakening the battery over time, making it difficult to start the car.

Get the battery tested this will tell you definitively if the battery is the problem.If the battery is good, then there might be an issue with your car's alternator or voltage regulator, which are responsible for keeping the battery charged. A mechanic can check these for you. A couple of other issues can also cause this. If your spark plugs are worn or dirty, they may not be creating a strong enough spark to ignite the air fuel mixture in the engine.There could be a problem with your fuel pump, fuel filter, or injectors. These issues can prevent the engine from getting the fuel it needs to start.

Given the age of your car, it might be helpful to ask a mechanic to diagnose the issue. They can perform a more thorough inspection and pinpoint the exact cause of the starting problem. Hope this helps.