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Rav4 Auto Gearbox Issues.. Ecu Or Gearbox?


boosaraff
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Hi again folks.

Looking for some help again. Please read this for me.

I first used this forum when I purchased my Rav4 2001 auto in Oct 2012. It was revving heavily and not changing up into 3rd gear. I had to take foot off throttle to let revs drop then put foot back on throtttle and it would drop into gear. I sent the ecu to BBA Reman in Rochester who repaired it. The car ran better but still not right, It didn't over rev but clonked jerkily into 3rd. BBA said lower gear values needed resetting by Toyota, who didn't want to help. Beadles Toyota at Maidstone said it was pointless as it would undo the repairs BBA had made and I'd be back to square 1. So I've been driving it for the past year with a jerky 3rd gear change. About 3 weeks ago it started the over revving going up to 3rd again. Sent the ecu back to BBA who checked again and returned to me. Car still over revving (not sure they actually did anything!) When I rang them they stated that the ecu needed resetting and any mechanic could do this. Well they can't as I rang 3 before finding the specialist unit needed to reset ecu. Lovely guy called Alan at Meopham reset ecu for me at no charge. When he restarted engine it still bought up the same P0750 fault code?? He and the other 2 garages all said that BBA are an ok company and didn't think they would knowingly rip me off. He suggested that perhaps it was actually shift solenoid A malfunctioning as per the fault code and not the ecu after all. He can change the solenoid for approx £200. Does anyone have any ideas as to whether this may actually work. I'm tempted to risk the money if there's a chance it may work but would be happier if I knew if it had worked for anyone else. I love my car but am sooo fed up with this ongoing problem that I'm wondering if it's worth even trying. Sorry it's such a long post but please post some comments.

Thanks Jackie

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Hi again folks.

Looking for some help again. Please read this for me.

I first used this forum when I purchased my Rav4 2001 auto in Oct 2012. It was revving heavily and not changing up into 3rd gear. I had to take foot off throttle to let revs drop then put foot back on throtttle and it would drop into gear. I sent the ecu to BBA Reman in Rochester who repaired it. The car ran better but still not right, It didn't over rev but clonked jerkily into 3rd. BBA said lower gear values needed resetting by Toyota, who didn't want to help. Beadles Toyota at Maidstone said it was pointless as it would undo the repairs BBA had made and I'd be back to square 1. So I've been driving it for the past year with a jerky 3rd gear change. About 3 weeks ago it started the over revving going up to 3rd again. Sent the ecu back to BBA who checked again and returned to me. Car still over revving (not sure they actually did anything!) When I rang them they stated that the ecu needed resetting and any mechanic could do this. Well they can't as I rang 3 before finding the specialist unit needed to reset ecu. Lovely guy called Alan at Meopham reset ecu for me at no charge. When he restarted engine it still bought up the same P0750 fault code?? He and the other 2 garages all said that BBA are an ok company and didn't think they would knowingly rip me off. He suggested that perhaps it was actually shift solenoid A malfunctioning as per the fault code and not the ecu after all. He can change the solenoid for approx £200. Does anyone have any ideas as to whether this may actually work. I'm tempted to risk the money if there's a chance it may work but would be happier if I knew if it had worked for anyone else. I love my car but am sooo fed up with this ongoing problem that I'm wondering if it's worth even trying. Sorry it's such a long post but please post some comments.

Thanks Jackie

Hi Jackie,

It sounds like the classic ECU fault in some ways but if the box is still intact after this length of time with the fault then it may suggest something different, as the various people you have contacted/used have said. Normally, if its the ECU playing up the box tends to wreck itself very quickly rendering the car unusable.

Nevertheless, I would suggest that you take the ECU out (it's behind the glovebox) and send it off to ECU Testing in Derbyshire, http://www.ecutesting.com/, who will check it out and confirm if it is faulty. If not they make a nominal charge but otherwise they will repair and return it. Cost is about £230 but TOC members get a discount which you have to ask for when paying. The turn around time is about 4 days and a few of the forum members have used them successfully (me included). You will need a set of Laser security bits from Machine Mart in order to release the two security bolts that hold the ECU in place.

If ECUT say it's OK then you will only be out of pocket by a relatively small amount and you can then proceed with the options that you've been given. If ECUT confirm that the unit is faulty then your problem's solved for about the same cost as you've already been quoted for the solenoid replacement.

Hope this is helpful. Good luck.

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............and much sympathetic bits on yer bothers, Jackie........wot a palavver........good luck.

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Thanks for your comments Jim. I've already had ecu tested twice and apparently it has no faults on it!!!!! by an apparently reputable company, so am thinking that perhaps I should go down the faulty shift solenoid route next. I was hoping someone else may have gone down this route with a positive outcome but it seems to be the ecu at fault in the majority of cases. I just wish I knew what was really at fault as I just seem to be spending out and getting nowhere fast. It's interesting that you say if it's the ecu the gearbox would be trashed by now. It's been playing up for at least a year, that was probably why it was for sale. Test drove perfectly though....isn't that always the way. The fact that it's still driveable perhaps point to the shift solenoid then??? Thinking perhaps I'll get that done next.

Jackie

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Thanks for your comments Jim. I've already had ecu tested twice and apparently it has no faults on it!!!!! by an apparently reputable company, so am thinking that perhaps I should go down the faulty shift solenoid route next. I was hoping someone else may have gone down this route with a positive outcome but it seems to be the ecu at fault in the majority of cases. I just wish I knew what was really at fault as I just seem to be spending out and getting nowhere fast. It's interesting that you say if it's the ecu the gearbox would be trashed by now. It's been playing up for at least a year, that was probably why it was for sale. Test drove perfectly though....isn't that always the way. The fact that it's still driveable perhaps point to the shift solenoid then??? Thinking perhaps I'll get that done next.

Jackie

It's a very frustrating situation, Jackie. I don't know BBA and haven't heard them mentioned here before so it would be interesting if any other member(s) has used them ECU T is well-known on here (as is Check Engine in NY) as many members have used them successfully.

All I can say is that if I were in your position, given ECU T's reputation, I would send the ECU to them for testing. If it's OK then it will have cost you something like £45 (you can check this with them) which might seem to be a waste but then you will know for certain that the ECU is OK. On the other hand, if it is faulty, they will identify the fault & repair it so that, if there is still a problem, then you will at least be able to discount the ECU. I realise that this might not seem, at first sight, to be helpful but you could easily keep spending money on "what if" possibilities that will get you nowhere if there is an underlying ECU fault.

It is strange that you have been suffering the problem for so long and the car is still driveable but it may just be another manifestation of the ECU issue.

I'm not criticising BBA since I have no knowledge of them and, in any event, I am not qualified to question them. Meanwhile hopefully other members of the forum may recognise your symptoms & be able to comment.

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  • 5 weeks later...

Hi all, I decided to get shift solenoid A replaced as per fault code P0750. ECU has been apparently repaired by BBA reman, Rochester twice now and according to them repaired. Once about a year ago and again last month as per my earlier posts Rav was still over revving in 2nd and not changing into 3rd without me taking my foot off the throttle so revs dropped, then it clonked in. When I told BBA that Rav was no better and was now actually over revving as soon as it changed into 2nd gear they said the ECU needed resetting. I got it reset and it drove lovely for about 20-30 miles then back to square 1. The independent Toyota garage who reset it said that as I'd had the ECU checked twice now, and he had cleared code P0750 from ECU and the code had subsequently reappeared once driven, perhaps it was actually the shift solenoid all along. So have now parted with £400 and had shift solenoid A replaced. Rav drove like an angel for a week, then guess what back to the same old over revving problem. BBA gave a lifetime warranty on their repairs. My decision now is do I go back to them for the 3rd time for free under the warranty or should I send ECU away to ECU testing as a lot of folk on here seem to rate them, costing a further £200ish. Any views would be appreciated as I'm pulling my hair out grrrrr

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But it will not cost you £200 if you send it and no fault found Jackie, surely worth having it checked with them for a nominal fee? If they say it is faulty and repair it, and you still have the same fault, ECUT might be able to assist you further, worth talking to them surely?

Kingo :thumbsup:

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Hi

I agree with Kingo

The service I received from them was excellent.

My brother has a Rav too and the symptoms your Rav is suffering from are virtually the same as what you are having. He sent his to ECU testing came back a few days later and been fine since.

Hope it gets sorted for you too

Ash

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Hi

I agree with Kingo

The service I received from them was excellent.

My brother has a Rav too and the symptoms your Rav is suffering from are virtually the same as what you are having. He sent his to ECU testing came back a few days later and been fine since.

Hope it gets sorted for you too

Ash

Hi Jackie,

Sorry to hear that you are still suffering problems. I agree with PK & Ash - if the ECU is OK then ECUT will only charge a nominal inspection fee but if it is faulty, their repair has a sound track record with members of this forum.

It may not be connected but it might be worth noting that ECUT are very explicit in their instructions when using the repaired ECU for the first time. They emphasise the importance of warming the car up fully leaving the selector in Park before engaging Drive. then they insist that the car must be driven for at least 20 mins in the greatest variety of traffic conditions, i.e. so that the speeds vary as much as possible and the box gets well-exercised. These boxes have what is known as "fuzzy logic" which means that they "learn" your particular driving style and adjust to it as necessary. Consequently, once the ECU is refitted, it can take a little while for full efficiency to be achieved.

Now, my point is, when your ECU was previously repaired, was the re-commissioning exercise completed properly as set out above? If not then there could be knock-on problems as you are experiencing. It is a little worrying that you've had the ECU repaired twice. I've only heard of one member on here having to get his ECU re-flashed by ECUT; in all the other cases they've only had to carry out the fix once. Because of your experience & the fact that ECUT are a well-known quantity, i think it would be worthwhile to get them to look at your ECU and then re-commission it strictly in accordance with their instructions.

I've got my fingers crossed for you.

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I agree with the guys above......ECU testing have come up trumps for so many of us on this site......me included. Garage wanted to changed the gearbox but members of this site showed me the way to go......and I know of another 2 people who've done the same and have been delighted with results. It may cost you £200 or a bit more if a garage is going to do it.....but it's got to be worth it.

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Thank you all so much for your replies. I was thinking that ECU testing was probably the way to go. It will invalidate my lifetime warranty but that seems to be on a disfunctional ECU anyway, so not really worth the paper it's written on. BBA didn't give any instructions on running the car after installation. They just said it had to be reset by a garage???Not sure if this will still need doing with ECUT or if their instructions replace this. Will send it off to them and keep my fingers crossed. Thanks once again everyone.

Jackie

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Thank you all so much for your replies. I was thinking that ECU testing was probably the way to go. It will invalidate my lifetime warranty but that seems to be on a disfunctional ECU anyway, so not really worth the paper it's written on. BBA didn't give any instructions on running the car after installation. They just said it had to be reset by a garage???Not sure if this will still need doing with ECUT or if their instructions replace this. Will send it off to them and keep my fingers crossed. Thanks once again everyone.

Jackie

Hi Jackie,

Once ECUT sort it (either give it a clean bill of health or re-flash it) then simply follow whatever instructions they give you. As I say they've got a good reputation.

All the best and pls keep us informed on how you get on.

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Jim & all other kind members who posted replies

Out of the car all packed up in loads of bubble wrap and box waiting to be posted tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed that ECUT can work miracles on my ecu. Will post progress when known.

Jackie

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Jim & all other kind members who posted replies

Out of the car all packed up in loads of bubble wrap and box waiting to be posted tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed that ECUT can work miracles on my ecu. Will post progress when known.

Jackie

Lots of digits crossed for you, Jackie. Good luck.

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Interesting thread guys. I have a different car (Mk1 Avensis) with almost certainly a different autobox.

But now I know where to start and where to send the ECU for a healthcheck/repair if problems start.

Many thanks.

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That's an interesting point. We know that this condition is common in RAVs. I have a 2002 Avensis Auto. Is there a possibility that i could get the same problem at some stage or is it just a RAV thing?

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  • 4 weeks later...

Have you had your ECU back yet??

Jim & all other kind members who posted replies

Out of the car all packed up in loads of bubble wrap and box waiting to be posted tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed that ECUT can work miracles on my ecu. Will post progress when known.

Jackie

Lots of digits crossed for you, Jackie. Good luck.
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Have you had your ECU back yet??

Jim & all other kind members who posted replies

Out of the car all packed up in loads of bubble wrap and box waiting to be posted tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed that ECUT can work miracles on my ecu. Will post progress when known.

Jackie

Lots of digits crossed for you, Jackie. Good luck.
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Jim & all other kind members who posted replies

Out of the car all packed up in loads of bubble wrap and box waiting to be posted tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed that ECUT can work miracles on my ecu. Will post progress when known.

Jackie

Hi Jackie

Just seeing if you've had your ECU back?

Ash

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Hi Ash

Yes I received it back and hubby put it into my Rav on 21st Nov. I've been avoiding posting as I didn't want to jinx things. Rav has been running lovely for nearly 3 weeks now, longest it's ever run well for. Been worried I'd say it was fixed and the next day the problem would be back. When I spoke to ECUT they said they had found a problem with the PCB board (I think) whatever that is. I said that it had been repaired twice already by another company and was putting my faith in them to fix it properly. The guy said was it BBA Reman. I replied yes and he said well don't worry any more as we have fixed it now!!!! He didn't say anything bad about them, it was what he didn't say that spoke volumes. Anyway it's working great at the mo and they said to contact them if I had any further problems. Still keeping my fingers crossed as can't quite believe it's fixed and still listen intently to the gear changes every time I drive it. So far so good. Would recommend ECUT as the way to go. Wish I had gone to them first, could have saved myself a whole lot of cash but never mind it seems to be fixed now. Thanks for all the advise from you guys in the forum.

Jackie

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Hi Ash

Yes I received it back and hubby put it into my Rav on 21st Nov. I've been avoiding posting as I didn't want to jinx things. Rav has been running lovely for nearly 3 weeks now, longest it's ever run well for. Been worried I'd say it was fixed and the next day the problem would be back. When I spoke to ECUT they said they had found a problem with the PCB board (I think) whatever that is. I said that it had been repaired twice already by another company and was putting my faith in them to fix it properly. The guy said was it BBA Reman. I replied yes and he said well don't worry any more as we have fixed it now!!!! He didn't say anything bad about them, it was what he didn't say that spoke volumes. Anyway it's working great at the mo and they said to contact them if I had any further problems. Still keeping my fingers crossed as can't quite believe it's fixed and still listen intently to the gear changes every time I drive it. So far so good. Would recommend ECUT as the way to go. Wish I had gone to them first, could have saved my self a whole lot of cash but never mind it seems to be fixed now. Thanks for all the advise from you guys in the forum.

Jackie

Excellent news, Jackie; glad you got it sorted. I wouldn't worry further, I'm sure it will be OK. ECUT are extremely good and they give a 12 month guarantee on thier fix, such is their confidence. They seem to be getting regular recommendations from Honest John, as well, for a variety of software fixes.

Good luck.

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Hi Jackie

That's fantastic news. Know what you mean about jinxing things though lol.

Glad it worked out for you and to be honest I asked here too when ours was playing up.

We got ours back within. Few days and had been fantastic since.

In all fairness ECUTESTING have been recommended by owners of other cars too.

Anyway glad it's sorted just thought I'd ask as you had not updated the post.

Hope you asked for your TOC discount too

All the best

Ash

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Hi Ash

Yes I received it back and hubby put it into my Rav on 21st Nov. I've been avoiding posting as I didn't want to jinx things. Rav has been running lovely for nearly 3 weeks now, longest it's ever run well for. Been worried I'd say it was fixed and the next day the problem would be back. When I spoke to ECUT they said they had found a problem with the PCB board (I think) whatever that is. I said that it had been repaired twice already by another company and was putting my faith in them to fix it properly. The guy said was it BBA Reman. I replied yes and he said well don't worry any more as we have fixed it now!!!! He didn't say anything bad about them, it was what he didn't say that spoke volumes. Anyway it's working great at the mo and they said to contact them if I had any further problems. Still keeping my fingers crossed as can't quite believe it's fixed and still listen intently to the gear changes every time I drive it. So far so good. Would recommend ECUT as the way to go. Wish I had gone to them first, could have saved my self a whole lot of cash but never mind it seems to be fixed now. Thanks for all the advise from you guys in the forum.

Jackie

Excellent news, Jackie; glad you got it sorted. I wouldn't worry further, I'm sure it will be OK. ECUT are extremely good and they give a 12 month guarantee on thier fix, such is their confidence. They seem to be getting regular recommendations from Honest John, as well, for a variety of software fixes.

Good luck.

Isn't it a lifetime warranty? I've not got paperwork in front of me I'm pretty certain my invoice said lifetime warranty

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Hi Ash

Yes I received it back and hubby put it into my Rav on 21st Nov. I've been avoiding posting as I didn't want to jinx things. Rav has been running lovely for nearly 3 weeks now, longest it's ever run well for. Been worried I'd say it was fixed and the next day the problem would be back. When I spoke to ECUT they said they had found a problem with the PCB board (I think) whatever that is. I said that it had been repaired twice already by another company and was putting my faith in them to fix it properly. The guy said was it BBA Reman. I replied yes and he said well don't worry any more as we have fixed it now!!!! He didn't say anything bad about them, it was what he didn't say that spoke volumes. Anyway it's working great at the mo and they said to contact them if I had any further problems. Still keeping my fingers crossed as can't quite believe it's fixed and still listen intently to the gear changes every time I drive it. So far so good. Would recommend ECUT as the way to go. Wish I had gone to them first, could have saved my self a whole lot of cash but never mind it seems to be fixed now. Thanks for all the advise from you guys in the forum.

Jackie

Excellent news, Jackie; glad you got it sorted. I wouldn't worry further, I'm sure it will be OK. ECUT are extremely good and they give a 12 month guarantee on thier fix, such is their confidence. They seem to be getting regular recommendations from Honest John, as well, for a variety of software fixes.

Good luck.

Isn't it a lifetime warranty? I've not got paperwork in front of me I'm pretty certain my invoice said lifetime warranty

Yes, Ash, my mistake. You are absolutely correct - here's the link http://www.ecutesting.com/warranty.html :thumbsup:

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That's brilliant and even better with a lifetime warranty

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