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When someone has a problem with their car or another vehicle, it can be a real pain. Not only this, but driving a vehicle that is basically unsafe can also be extremely dangerous, so it is very important that when people have a fault or other issue with their car or vehicle, they get it properly and professionally sorted straight away.

One of the UK’s most popular car manufacturers is Japanese car company Toyota, and one of their most popular models is the RAV4. Like any other car, the Toyota RAV4 is one that can experience issues and problems for various reasons, and with this particular model, there is a known problem, which the company themselves are aware of. It is a problem that creates problems for drivers with the gearbox. It may be “knocking” or “juttering”, and changing gear may feel harsh. Second and third gears might be being lost, and it might even be down on power.

This might sound like something that owners of Toyota RAV4s really need to worry about, but worry not – this is most certainly not the case! It is a common fault with the ECU (Engine Control Unit or Engine Control Module ECM), and is something that can be repaired by specialists.

In this post, we are going to take a look at the steps someone should take if they are experiencing these sorts of problems with your car, whether you own one of the Toyota RAV4s or not. After all, this is the sort of problem that any sort of car, of any nature, could experience, be it a Honda, Nissan, or something else. So, if this happens to you, read on to discover more about the steps you should take.

Realise that there is an issue that needs to be sorted

If anyone is driving a Toyota RAV4 and they begin to experience any of the problems or issues as mentioned in the introduction, it is probably a good idea to get it checked out further. As has been said already, though, this is a known problem. A simple rule to go by is that if it is an automatic 2001, 2002 or 2003 Toyota RAV4, either the 4×2 or the 4×4, it is likely to be one of the affected models. The same problem is also known to have affected the 2004 and 2005 models. Plus, it can happen to other vehicles too.

Either remove the ECU yourself and send it to be repaired or take your car in

If it is the case that someone has been affected by this problem, there are a number of solutions for them for the next step. They may decide either to remove the ECU themselves, for which there is professional help and advice available online. It then needs to be sent to a professional repair company, who can rectify the problem quickly and send the mended ECU back. Alternatively, the car owner may just simply wish to take the car itself to a repair company. In person, professionals should be able to fully diagnose the problem, make the necessary mends, and have the car up and running again as soon as is possible.

Unit is live tested

One of the benefits of taking the car in, in person, is that it can then be live tested there and then, leaving the owner comfortable and calm in knowing that the issue has been rectified and the problem is no more. You know what you are spending your money on. Even for those who choose to remove the unit themselves and send it to the repair company, the unit will be ‘live tested’ before it is sent back to the owner; normally being posted back within 24 hours or receipt.

Unit is repaired

All being well, once these stages are complete, the ECU should be fully repaired and ready to go. The gearbox should be running much more smoothly, and hopefully not experiencing any of the issues it was before.

One final note – people should be extremely wary of any videos or instructions available online with regards to fixing the ECU themselves – this can be dangerous and often misleading. It is far better to get it properly done by the professionals, offering a great service and peace of mind once the job is done.

Chiino
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