This is my experience on the common problem that the ecu of the 2001-2003 Toyota RAV4 is presenting worldwide.


The Problem

This problem makes the automatic transmission of these Rav4 models to behave erratic when the ecu is failing. In these vehicles, the ecu (engine control unit) is the same for the engine and transmission. It controls both things. The part number of the ecu will always begin with "89661-42xxx", where "Bleep" can be any numbers. It is installed in the passenger side, behind the glove box and has 5 white connectors inserted on it.

The problem with the ecu is that over time, it suddenly fails to control the transmission correctly and this same problem will cause different failures on areas of the engine that are controlled by the ecu. There is an estimate of 246,000 rav4 vehicles in the USA from 2001 to 2003 to have this failure, but, that does not cover the rest of the world, so there are even more than that. The extended warranty issued by Toyota, only covers USA models though. The Toyota Picnic model, is another vehicle using these type of ecus, specifically the 2003 model, which is known to be failing too, with the same transmission problems.

The urgent part of this problem is that if the ecu is not replaced or CORRECTLY repaired and reprogrammed, the transmission will end up failing too. If an internal failure of the transmission occurs because of this, it will require to repair or replace the transmission, besides doing the same with the ecu.


Vehicles Affected

This affects all 2001, 2002 and 2003 Toyota RAV4 vehicles with automatic transmission, which are equipped with the 2.0L 1AZ-FE and 1AZ-FSE engines, either 4×4 (All Wheel Drive – AWD) or 4×2 (Front Wheel Drive – FWD). If you have no idea if your RAV4 is 4×4 or 4×2, it is easy to identify by looking at your RAV4's VIN number. All 2001-2003 4×4 RAV4 vehicles, will have a VIN number that starts with JTEHH20…, while 4×2 vehicles’ VIN number will start with JTEGH20…


A New Problem

Now, there is an increasing number of competitors which claim to have a solution for your RAV4 ecu, and there is even a video circulating on the Internet, about a supposed “cure” for the problem.

The number of businesses and people claiming to know how to solve it has multiplied because of that video. Many of those, are not correctly prepared for doing the job and are only doing what they see in the video.

The problem with the video is that it is not a real solution. Sadly, those many doing that "service", know little about Electronics and/or Mechanics and are doing low quality jobs. But when I say "low quality", I am talking about the physical job performed, not even talking about functionality. I have inspected the work of many of those "experts" and what I have seen on those units is breath taking. Sometimes they leave the ecu in conditions that it can not be worked out again to be properly repaired. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, so do not fall for those people offering a spectacular job for very little, because people that are really prepared for doing this job right, will need to invest in equipment, tools and some other resources and will need to have at least a working rav4 vehicle to test your ecu.

About such video showing a way of “fixing” the ecu over the Internet, it is only showing a way of correcting one of the side effects of the real problem. The real problem needs to be fixed with several actions, including several parts replacement, reprogramming, resoldering and applying a specific treatment to the circuit board. Not only doing a simple resoldering as instructed by the video. That is why, the ones who only perform what they see in the video, will experience the same problems over and over again. They just put a “band-aid” in the wound, but do not correct what is causing the “wound”. The problem won’t go away until the needed parts are replaced and the ECM reprogrammed. A recurrent problem is been reported in many forums when it is only done what is shown in the video and some times it does not fix the problem at all. Another thing is, if your ecu has the immobilizer security system activated and you end up modifying it by mistake, the engine will not start after you reinstall your ecu.

There are also several sellers offering a “rebuilt” or “refurbished” ecu. Some of those ecus I have purchased, have never really been worked out even when were labeled as “refurbished”. In some others, I have found part of the circuit board (on both, top and bottom sides) covered with some black epoxy. Putting epoxy on a circuit, specially in a poorly worked out circuit, will render the ecu useless if it was not properly repaired or if it fails again. There is no way of removing that epoxy without damaging the ecu circuit.

It is my suggestion to send your ecu to someone experienced.
contact me engr. bob 08034094226 for more/proper details and possible solutions.

this guy is for real, he's really good in what he does, I recommend him.

Thanks for ur recommendation, I appreciate

OROZ: Thanks for ur recommendation, I appreciate

Broda, I thought you have left this thread. Pls how do you handle customers from lagos?

Dieumerci:
Broda, I thought you have left this thread. Pls how do you handle customers from lagos?

I can meet u anywhere based on ur arrangement call me let's talk better

do you do only toyota ravs ?

Mr Jaz. Contact Kabolee.. I dropped his contact for u.. I understand u guys have spoken from his response to one of your posts..

He will sort it out if its an ECU issue..

Dunno, if his pricing is too high, but you can bargain with him..

Cheers ..

jaz: do you do only toyota ravs ?

No, I fix all cars provided the car has a diagnosis pot were I can plug my scanner

I keep to my word, that's what has kept me going in this business, keep the calls coming

I appreciate all those that believed in me, like I said I always keep to my word

OROZ:

No, I fix all cars provided the car has a diagnosis pot were I can plug my scanner

So what happens to a car without an obd2 port? Won't you be able to fix that

mayor2013:


So what happens to a car without an obd2 port? Won't you be able to fix that

Any car without an obd2 pot will be more easier to fix because it will be more mechanical works than electrical no too many sensors to troubleshoot, I do all but for more accuracy and since we are in a modern era where everything is going digital, I prefer to do those cars I can run diagnosis for more accuracy and faster work, coz time counts in this our job. Thanks call me for a free diagnosis if ur within port-harcourt

Oroz is for real when it comes to rav 4 ecm...he fixed mine. Car has been working well since October.

deelummy:
Oroz is for real when it comes to rav 4 ecm...he fixed mine. Car has been working well since October.

This is what I call appreciation, thanks for the recommendation

jaz:
do you do only toyota ravs ?

No, all cars mostly port-harcourt based car so the work would be handled at the workshop

Still doing my good job in the automobile sector

OROZ:

I can meet u anywhere based on ur arrangement call me let's talk better

Does that mean u will come to lagos or u wud contact the person when u are in lagos?

talk2odim:

Does that mean u will come to lagos or u wud contact the person when u are in lagos?

I repeat, if I'm to visit anywhere outside port harcourt, it has to be based on arrangement

I need his number mail is francodim3@yahoo.com and number 08033019917
Frank

odinakafrances:
I need his number mail is francodim3@yahoo.com and number 08033019917
Frank

ive spoken with him

Fix ur rav4 ecu at autowiz nig. Ltd, with guarantee

Autowiz staffs out to fix couple of ecu, take advantage call now n get ur rav4 ecu fixed with guarantee

I need his number mail is francodim3@yahoo.com and number 08168398113 Frank

Ecu work still going on, take advantage call now

Doing good job

Can you help me with oxygen sensor bank 1 sensor 2 for rav4 2004

Experience4u:
Can you help me with oxygen sensor bank 1 sensor 2 for rav4 2004

Easy, it's located one located at the top, while bank 2 sensor 2 is down, u need to take it as sample if ur going for a fairly used, else u order online, state exactly what u want to avoid mix up. Or u go to Toyota place, it cost 25-28k for new one, while the fairly used cost like 5-6k no guarantee for that one, u can get that from our local mechanic village. Thanks

Thanks @OROZ, am really getting bad mileage from my car. Less than 200miles from full tank

Experience4u:
Thanks @OROZ, am really getting bad mileage from my car. Less than 200miles from full tank

Ur msg is not understood pls.