Rav4 Auto Gearbox Issues.. Ecu Or Gearbox?

[boosaraff]

guys

I have a 2002 Rav4 VX vvti automatic, 5 door.

I posted on here a while back about the gears on my Rav4. Just after Xmas my gears seemed to be 'slipping' as i was driving and then 'clunked' into place.

I was told by a few members of this site that it may have been the ECU which may need to be reconfigured, and gave details of a compnay that would re-configure it, but I would have to manually take the ECU out and post it to them. ( I could not do this at the time)

Anyhow, since then I took it to my local Toyota garage. initially I was told that the gearbox oil was low.. so I had the oil changed £120 ( was also told brake pads worn so paid for that too £150)

Car seemed 'better' for a week or so.. then problem came back with a vengeance. Not only were gears slipping, but car lost acceleration, especially uphill.

Back into the Toyota garage today. Now have been told its a total gearbox malfunction, which is also effecting the oxygen sensors ( 2 sensors showing abnormal reading) anyway, +the ECU and it will be £3707 to fix!

I love my Rav4, it has only done 66k miles. I know there are other options, but if anyone can give me advice where to go from now, it would be a great help.

why didnt the Toyota garage pickup on the gearbox problem in the first instance? why just ask to change the oil?

i have attached their latesr quote.

Does anyone Toyota spectialists in the Kent/ West kent area?

thanks in advance.

toyota quote324.pdf

[IanXT4]

Your RAV falls into the exact batch that suffered ECU gearbox problems, I would email all your symptoms to the USA ECU repair company detailed in this forum. See what they say and then make your decision.

[crofter]

I seem to remember a member had his ecu repaired by a co in Kent

Anyone remember who?

Del

[Davrav]

I think this is the company in Derbyshire that, I believe, Anchorman negotiated a discount for members with :

http://www.ecutesting.com/toyota_rav_4_gearbox_ecu.html?gclid=COy5y6KH7rUCFZDKtAodUnUAWg

Here is a link to the thread:

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=117915

and another:

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=128188

The Brooklyn company is this one I think:

http://www.rav4ecm.net/

Here is a piece about the issue:

http://kaushalye.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/toyota-rav4-transmission-issue-how-to.html

[Devon Aygo]

All I can add to above is don't leave this too long, the official fix from Toyota is a modified engine/transmission control unit this fixes the fault where the ECU tries to select two gears at the same time. the problem is until the ECU is replaced/repaired you won't know if the auto box has been damaged by the mis shifting the longer it is left the more likely it is that a replacement auto box will be needed. if a new box is needed Toyota have a recon auto box available.

Devon

[yaris781]

Hi just done a quick search on here exact same symptoms on the wife's Rav's ( told her its her driving😂)

Anyway no EML light just a bugger changing. Sorry if its already on here where is the ECU located? And I'm thinking get that checked before moving on to checking the box. The Rav is currently on 107K never any issues till now.

Any advice greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance

Ash 😀

[yaris781]

Anyone???

[firemac]

Hi just done a quick search on here exact same symptoms on the wife's Rav's ( told her its her driving)

Anyway no EML light just a bugger changing. Sorry if its already on here where is the ECU located? And I'm thinking get that checked before moving on to checking the box. The Rav is currently on 107K never any issues till now.

Any advice greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance

Ash

I believe that it is behind the trim panel in the passenger side footwell. If you do a forum search, it should turn up a detailed thread from a while back with diagrams, etc.

[yaris781]

Thanks for that firemac will search it tomorrow

Ash

[yaris781]

Hi again

Once again any advice would be appreciated.

Is there any definite way of ensuring that it is my ECU that is faulty i.e a diagnostics check would that confirm it? I've read all the posts and have the same sort of issues so am thinking just to send it off for repair.

Thanks again guys

Ash

[anchorman]

I think you just have to go off the symptoms.

[yaris781]

I'm going to send it off to get it repaired and hopefully that should be the end of it.

Will update when I get it back

[yaris781]

Sorry guys need some info if someone can help.

Does anyone know where I may be able to buy the Torx bit to remove the ECU. I do have a set of security torx bits but they are the 6 point type which I use on computers etc. been to Halfords and a couple of motor factors but no luck.

Don't really fancy taking the car to a garage as dont want to chance any damage to the gearbox.

Thanks in advance

Ash

[IanXT4]

Hi

Google Search reveals

Amazon seem to be out of stock of a set that used to be under £10

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverhill-Point-Star-Torx-bits/dp/B003ALOG06

but have

http://www.amazon.co.uk/KS-Tools-911-148-T10-T40-Classic/dp/B001NZ00TM/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1365400113&sr=8-3-fkmr1&keywords=silverline+5+Point+Star+Torx+Bit+Set

You can buy socket set versions of the bits on eBay for under £15 but these sometimes are a bit big and get in the way

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIDENT-5-POINT-SECURITY-STAR-BITS-SET-1-4-DRIVE-TS10-TS50-/171013648153?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item27d1352f19

This after 5 minutes of research seems to be the best option but is a bit expensive

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/laser-5031-23-piece-torx-plus-bit-set

But please check that the set you buy has the right size and you are happy with the seller, I am not recommending any of these sites !!

[yaris781]

Hi Ian

Thanks for that I went to machine mart but they didn't have any in stock.

On the off chance thought I'll try euro car parts and they had a 7 piece set for £20 so bought that. Didn't expect them to have it to be honest.

ECU you was out in 20 minutes and sent off to ECU testing yesterday.

Fingers crossed hopefully it is the ECU

Will update as soon as I receive it back

Ash 😃😃

Thank you all again for your advice

[yaris781]

Quick update really impressed with www.ecutesting.com sent my unit off on Monday had a call a few minutes ago. ECU definately faulty promised my unit should be back with me by Friday at the latest. Fingers crossed should have the rav up and running by weekend.

Really impressed with them.

Thanks guys will update when unit fitted back in the car.

Ash

[Guest]

Good result Ash, hopefully put your mind at rest for a few days :)

Gus

[yaris781]

Thanks Gus feel a bit better now that I know it was ECU. Fingers crossed should be up and running by weekend

Ash

[yaris781]

Thanks Gus feel a bit better now that I know it was ECU. Fingers crossed should be up and running by weekend

Ash

[yaris781]

Pleased to say ECU arrived this morning. Fitted back in 20mins been for a good drive and happy to say wife's 4.2 is now cured. Drives fantastic now. Thanks again only thing I am bit down about is on a thread on here mentions a 10% discount for TOC using code Don. I did all that but was not given a discount so think that will need sorting out.

Other than that fantastic service five stars all the way.

Thanks again guys😃😃😃😃😃

[hartsongs]

Add me to the list. Exactly the same problem.

My Rav is 2003, Auto and has done 54,000.

I'm in Sussex so I'll need to get ECU sorted sooner rather than later.

Not sure whether that means repair or replace.

It's an obvious fault but it would appear that Toyota aren't offering a replacement which is odd because this is a definite safety issue.

Without Toyota putting their hands in their pockets it looks like we're all in for a bill of a few hundred quid......at least.

[anchorman]

You have to order it over the phone and quote "Don" and remind them it is the TOC discount.

[anchorman]

The price should be £195 less 10% plus VAT. I get it to £210.60

[yaris781]

I didn't get the discount my fault I suppose as when they rang for payment I assumed they'd applied it as I'd put everything on a note when I sent ECU.they also keep you updated by giving you a reference number so you can track the progress of your ECU.

Saying that I'm more than happy in terms of service and turn around times posted my unit on a Monday and was back by Thursday or Friday. Very happy with the service and would recommend them.

Hope that helps

Ash

[ANNAWONG]

I followed the link provided by TerryXT4 in an earlier posting and purchased a set of tool bits on e-bay from Terry Orford at Tools-4-U in Gravesend.

These are a range of nine 1/4 drive bits on a baseplate, ranging from TS10 to TS 50, (50 being the larger but I don't know what TS means?) and the one which fits my ECU is the TS25. (2001 Rav 4 Petrol Auto.)

I take the view that I would prefer to have them in my tool box and not need them, rather than hunt to find the damn things when I do!

These are specialist security bolts,being male, five pointed star bits with a cental hole to accomodate the pip inside the female part of the screw head. Beware! not many "sets" of bits have five star ends, they are mostly six point.

These came two days after ordering, for around £10:00 including postage, which I consider very good service. I have no connection whatsoever with this business, other than now being a very satisfied customer.

I hope this is helpful to you guys.