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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.

Make ur choice

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Still available

Makins2rue: Do u have 2007 to 2009 toyota camry with leather sit, alloy wheel, 4 cylinder engine. Give me price

2009 2m for this one not negotiable
Or is it a tokunbo ur looking for, this is what I can deliver
07 cost 2.450
08 cost 2.6m
09 cost 2.8m
10 cost. 2.9

kenclark2001: Toyota Matrix 2003 or 2008

Tokumbo abi?

Shokoloko: Do u have for sale a registered an auto 4 cylinder toyota picnic
How much can I get a Prado 2010 model (any colour apart from black or grey)

The Prado are we looking at tokumbo or used?

aoshea18: Send me your number. I want to call about the 05 sports corolla. Thanks.

08034094226

JustPassingBy: Naaa prefare 08 upwards!

The one I have is an 09, leather seat, 82k mileage, tomb start, auto transmission alloy rim silver colour selling for 1.9m

JustPassingBy: Naaa prefare 08 upwards!

The one I have is an 09, leather seat, 82k mileage, tomb start, auto transmission alloy rim silver colour

Available

Available

JustPassingBy: Yes o! Scouting for a clean corolla 08.
Budget 1.3

Would u like an 05 sports for 1m?

Still selling

JustPassingBy: Eeyo! Hafa

I dey o, are u justpassingby or u want buy something

Available

Still available

aoshea18: Need a clean registered 08 corolla. Budget is 1m.

If I get any for 1m ill call u, the one I'm having is for 1.6m

Selling

Selling

Selling

not a bad market, ur location plz

LastprophetJ: i nid honda accord 2003 budget 650k. reply pls. u cn also.advice.me. ph ppl

u can't get an 03 Honda for 650k unless with issues

Nosyke: ^^^

How much are the Corrollas flying for?

08 cost 1.7m
tokumbo 04 cost 1.450m