Rav4 Auto Gearbox Issues.. Ecu Or Gearbox?

[Frogitor]

Thanks for this. I thought I'd give them a chance to rectify any problems they missed first time around- maybe naïve of me. Yes, mine has the rectangular fog/indicators. I'll get the ECU back tomorrow. I will plug it in and just run around (gently) for Sat/Sunday and if still the same (a dead cert IMO too) will send to ECUt Monday - I have already spoken to them.

Thanks for your help. Will post again when I get it back.

[firemac]

Thanks for this. I thought I'd give them a chance to rectify any problems they missed first time around- maybe naïve of me. Yes, mine has the rectangular fog/indicators. I'll get the ECU back tomorrow. I will plug it in and just run around (gently) for Sat/Sunday and if still the same (a dead cert IMO too) will send to ECUt Monday - I have already spoken to them.

Thanks for your help. Will post again when I get it back.

Cliff, if it's behaving like you say, you should drive it as little as possible to avoid irreparable damage to the box. I don't want to scaremonger but that box will only take so much abuse.

Good luck.

[Frogitor]

Point well taken Jim. When I get it back it'll go directly to ECUt. No point in reinstalling it. If it comes back negative for any faults, I've found an auto gearbox specialist locally who'll take a look. But fingers crossed for ECUt. Will report back.

[bluerav4]

We took ours you a gearbox specialist and I told him about what I'd read on here that it could be ECU but he insisted that an ECU won't affect the gearbox and to get it replaced or reconditioned.

I think what Jim has said that driving it could cost you more.

Personally I would just send to ECUt and take it from there.

I believe from reading posts on here people have taken their ECU to other companies then end up sending to ECUt.

Anyway let us now how you get on with it

[Frogitor]

Thanks Sheen. As soon as I get it back it'll be on its way to ECUt. Will post results.

[firemac]

We took ours you a gearbox specialist and I told him about what I'd read on here that it could be ECU but he insisted that an ECU won't affect the gearbox and to get it replaced or reconditioned.

I think what Jim has said that driving it could cost you more.

Personally I would just send to ECUt and take it from there.

I believe from reading posts on here people have taken their ECU to other companies then end up sending to ECUt.

Anyway let us now how you get on with it

I wonder which horse & cart that "gearbox specialist" did his apprenticeship on??!

[Frogitor]

It's now in the hands of ECUt. I'll know in a day or two. Will report.

[Frogitor]

I promised I'd report on how the ECU repair worked after sending to ECUt. So far I've done about 180 miles since re-installing the ECU and I'm happy to report that the gear shifting problem seems to be fixed. The company are very professional and give a lifetime warranty. I'm well pleased!!

Thanks Jim and Sheen for your advice and help - it's great to have my 'wobbly' RAV4 restored back to health!

[bluerav4]

Brilliant!!! Really pleased for you. I think we can't fault ECU testing as so many of us have used them now. Is it possible if you can try and get a refund or try and claw something back from the company that tried repairing your ECU originally.

Do you mind me asking how much they charged you? and did you ask for the club discount?

[Frogitor]

That's my next step - I've just come back from a 140 mile trip today and it drove like new. ECU testing did a great job - and they were cheaper! The other firm will hear from me on Monday. Should be interesting as I gave them 2 chances and still they said they'd fixed it. Hmmmmmmmm

I paid a total of £354 to the first firm whereas ECUt charged a total of £244.80 (with club discount).

[firemac]

That's excellent news, Cliff. Not surprising though as ECUt have a good reputation on this forum.

Happy motoring!

[bluerav4]

That's ridiculous they made two attempts and still couldn't get it right. Not sure how it works but I'd even go to threatening them with legal action to get your money back. You gave them 2 opportunities and it was still faulty. Your talking exactly like we were when we had our ECU repaired. Your right does feel like your in a car that's just driven out of the showroom.

Anyway really happy it's all sorted now

ps ecut give a lifetime warranty too well worth it

[bluerav4]

Sorry for the double posts something working with my phone for some reason when I'm posting

[Frogitor]

Will post again when I get a response from the first firm - should be interesting :-))

Again, thanks

- and double posts are better than none

[FROSTYBALLS]

The double posts have been deleted.

[bluerav4]

Thanks frosty

[Gower Boy]

Hi Guys,

Think this is my first post, and would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have contributed to this thread, Have a 92 RAV4 and suffered the dreaded Auto box problems, thought I would be having to replace the box BUT for the people on this thread, ECU sent of to Ecutesting, back in 7 days with a lifetime guarantee, £245.00 all in, tested on a 30 min run, and going like a Swiss watch, also thanks to IanTXC ( I think) for his post regarding the Amazon link for the security bits, brilliant only thing I would add, mark the position of the brackets with a marker pen as the back lower bracket had me fooled, I also found a 1/4 inch socket set to be invaluable as the security bits can fit a suitable socket and was easier than a stubby screwdriver. Thanks again guys

[bluerav4]

That's fantastic me too I'm glad I came across this too as. All garages told me a gearbox fault. Just goes to show worth having a look around on the forum.

You mentioned your Rav as being a 1992 model is that correct?

[Gower Boy]

Sheen

No, sorry, damn these small keys on smartphones, it's a 2002 black 5 door, My 2nd one, the one before it was an 1997 with a full service history, nothing spectacular about that, except it had over 216,000mls a still going like a Swiss watch ( when I sold it) and an Auto to boot, Love them, just think Toyota's are great, wife has a Yaris T Sport, and daughter in Brisbane Oz, is on her 3rd RAV4, being old school, I never thought for one moment that the ECU controlled the gearbox .... Doh, Really pleased to have it sorted,

[hartsongs]

This site saved me (or my father to be precise) £'000's.

I took the data from this thread to his auto centre. They had previously come up with....nothing!!

The surprising thing was, they had used the ECU tester before and yet this had not crossed their minds.....or maybe it had but they just may have decided to keep quiet about it. They changed the ECU a couple of years ago.....been running fine ever since...it's a 03 Rav Auto.

[bluerav4]

Yes many garages have said it's the gearbox and not even mentioned the gearbox.

Does make you wonder though?

Gower boy I thought it was strange the older Rav having the ECU

Anyway sounds like your aide hard Toyota fan like us too.

Out T180 is the latest addition still have the 4.2 and a few Ravs before that too.

To be honest you just can't beat them reliability wise.

The T180 had issues but that was replaced with a new engine so can't complain really. As for the 4.2 apart from the gearbox issue just normal wear and tear

[Melonhead74]

Hello,

After reading posts on this thread I sent my ecu to ECU-Testing (2004 Rav4 XT4).  Car shows typical symptoms of pulling off in wrong gear and 'clunking' into gear. They've come back to me today to say that they are unable to test it. Seems there are some models of ECU that cannot be hooked up to their rig.Just wondering if anyone else had this, or what my next steps are from here?  Am I able to buy a replacement ECU and just plug it in?  The model number on my unit is: 89661-42A30

Any advice very much appreciated 👍

[bluerav4]

What I would do is see if you can get an ECU from a breakers yard. It’s a cheaper option. I’ve never heard of a gearbox go unles it’s been abused. I’d go down that route and a lot easier too.

hope that helps 

[Melonhead74]

14 minutes ago, bluerav4 said:

What I would do is see if you can get an ECU from a breakers yard. It’s a cheaper option. I’ve never heard of a gearbox go unles it’s been abused. I’d go down that route and a lot easier too.

hope that helps 

Would you know if I'm able to directly swap if I find the matching part number? Or is there some kind of re-coding to the car that is needed afterwards?  Toyota want over £1200 for the part number I supplied, but are unable to tell me if I can just plug it in and go.

[hartsongs]

Just wondering whether you were dealing directly with ECU testing or via a garage/dealer?
My Rav 4 is 2003 and had the same issue. Many dealers wrongly advise that it's a gearbox issue.
Mine was done 5 years ago. Still fine.
I guess the £1200 is for a replacement ECU.
Many people on this thread (which goes back years) have had the ECU reset for about £250.
Seems odd that you're having this 'can't do it' answer?
You're in Surrey. I took mine to Auto Services in Salfords or there's Toyotec near to them.
Might be worth a call.