Hi Guys New Memebr With Ecu Ecm/ Gearbox Problems

[umuk]

Hi guys,

I've just registered and i am new to this forum, so please, take it easy with me :)

I have a 2002 rav4 gx model auto (petrol), and have been experiencing gearbox issues for the past year...but since money has been tight i havent had the courage nor the knowhow to fix the problem...but have come to the conclusion that i had better have it fixed beofre it completely goes on me.

the symptoms are as follows:

gears do not change but when they do it thuds/bangs up a gear....if it doesnt, the revs just go up and the car struggles...same goes for when i put it into reverse....but the thud/bang is louder....at times the car 'creeps' rather than moving freely, and then all of sudden its gets a 'shock' and comes to life.

I've done a little reading on these issues and it points to a ecu/ecm problem....can someone be kind enough to confirm?

also how easy would it be to take this unit out for inspection and/or how can i confirm the unit number so that i know the replacement im getting is the correct one?

hope someone can help me out on here....and sorry if this has been covered previously

any recommendations on who can help with these issues (garages) around the Leeds area of yorkshire would also be appriciated

kind regards,

[bitman]

if you ARE driving around for 1 year like this, then you probable killed the box by now i'm afraid

go to an autobox specialist for a good dianogstics first

[umuk]

nooooo....even though the problem hasnt got any worse since it first appeared?

I did take it to a local auto gearbox specialist...he drove it for a min and then said yep...gearbox gone....that'll be £1500!!!

i just assumed he was trying it on and left it at that....he didnt plug it into a machine or anything.

im hoping that it will be resolved with just a ecu ecm fix

can you (or anyone else) offer a way to obtain my ecu ecm number on the unit without having to take it out? mines a 2002 (51 plate) 5dr GX model in auto 2l petrol.

thanks once again

[bitman]

maybe the toyota dealer can check the ecu number by there computer but i'm not sure?

removing the ecu isn't a big deal actually unless you have those so called security bolts

but all thou it might be the ecu i would like to have a diagnostics first before sending it out to the brooklyn guys. your gearbox problem looks much more then we had with the nrg.

so i cannot advice you about that

[bothwell_buyer]

I use a Jap car specialist all the time and they have all the diagnostics etc to make good decisions. Any down your way ???

[SERIN]

Hello there

I have had similar problems with my 2002 Auto Petrol,after reaching 80,000 miles. Tried to first have the ECU repaired but although the symptoms improved ; the clunking of the gears disappeared; the raise in revs was still there though. I had to bite the bullet and take it to Toyota for a new ECU. The cost of this was £ 995. (UK Pounds).

The ECU can be taken out if you have the right tools, a Torx TS key but really the choice is yours. Some people have had success with a repair unfortunately I didn't.

The only thing is if enough people who have had this fault write to Toyota direct and complain then maybe as in the USA the warranty may be increased to 150,000 miles and the ECU fault repaired. Toyota are aware of this problem and amended the ECU so that after 2003 the fault was rectified. But during those 3 years 2001-2003 many people have bought cars with an inherent fault.

Hope this helps

Serin.

[dilip]

i have the same problem with my 2001 rav4. It was a year ago that i went to a toyota dealer to p/exchange for a new 5 door RAV4. This dealer test drove in such a way that the car came into a fault condition. The engine light came ON and the car started jurking and not changing gears properly and speeding down and up. The car has done 73000mls. The tester after coming back from such a severe drive offered me £1.00, yes ONE POUND FOR MY CAR in p/exchange. He concluded that the ECU is faulty and to replace a new one could be in the region of around £2500 to £3000. that includes part and labour. He mentioned that it was very common with RAV4 at about 70000mls for the ECU to pack up. SO I told him if it was a factory fault but then he denied the issue. I was going to take it further but did not have the time due to other commitments and thought if i did percevier my case, i would not win. Its now one year since i have been looking for

ECU,p/no 89661-42680 1AZ-FE, 4 x 4 AT. I am registered with so many second hand outlets and breakers yard but todate have no joy in locating one exactly the same p/no. PLEASE SOMEONE, HELP ME OUT. THE CAR IS OCCUPYING MY GARAGE SPACE AND MY WIFE IS FURIOUS AND NOT HAPPY WITH ME.

[IanXT4]

Firstly I am not sure if you have read this thread which covers the ECU problem and repair options

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=105216&hl=error%20&st=0

If I were in your shoes I would first check the autobox transmission fluid to check if its looks burnt indicating a more serious problem. If not I would probably consider removing the ECU and sending it to the USA company mentioned in the above thread. (copy of the link below)

http://www.rav4ecm.net/

There is a UK company doing similar repairs (mentioned in another thread) I have come across, but I suspect the USA company has more experience.

This could be a gamble, you might spend the money repairing the ECU and then still discover its something more complex in the gearbox etc. Only you can decide if the gambles worth it.

I would certainly would not fit a secondhand ECU, you could easily buy another dud. Its also possible that you might have to electronically introduce a new (as in secondhand) auto ECU to the cars other ECU's using diagnostic software ? Or have to upgrade the ECU software ? Without the necessary diagnostic equipment/software and factory data this could be a nightmare. (someone please correct me if I am wrong)

Any advice given is meant to be helpful and in good spirit. No liability is accepted for loss , damage or injury. WORK SAFELY

[chubbles]

Hi all,

I have a problem with my 2001 3dr NRG auto, it suddenly lost top gear - all other gears are fine - no undue noises,no loss of smoothness,kickdown okay. Can anyone give me an idea as to what it might be? The car has done 123,285miles. Sorry I can't help anybody with their problems.

[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 👍