Comments on: Harsh shifting on Toyota RAV automatic transmission and problem repair http://qcwo.com/technicaldomain/harsh-shifting-problems-on-toyota-rav-automatic-transmission-and-problem-repair Technical Information Source and Discussion Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:25:25 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Richard http://qcwo.com/technicaldomain/harsh-shifting-problems-on-toyota-rav-automatic-transmission-and-problem-repair/comment-page-1#comment-94195 Richard Wed, 18 Aug 2010 02:54:36 +0000 http://qcwo.com/technicaldomain/?p=504#comment-94195 <div> <span style="color:#000000;font-size:1.4em;"><b>Some quick Q&A for some of the many question we receive by email:</b></span><br> <div style="height:15px;"></div> 1. <b>Does this problem is also present in 2010 RAV4?</b><br> <div style="height:15px;"></div> <ul><b>A</b>. Definitively not. This problem is only present in 2001, 2002 and 2003 models with automatic transmission and either 4x4 or 4x2 wheel drive vehicles.</ul> <div style="height:15px;"></div> 2. <b>My RAV4 never had the problem until now, 8 years after I purchased it. Should I expect it to happen even though?</b><br> <div style="height:15px;"></div> <ul><b>A</b>. Yes. It may happen any time. All those computers have the same problem. It is a matter of time. If you does not use your RAV4 too often, that might be the cause for the problem not happening so far.</ul> <div style="height:15px;"></div> 3. <b>Is there a quick fix for the harsh shifting problem on the 2001-2003 Toyota RAV4?</b> <div style="height:15px;"></div> <ul><b>A</b>. Unfortunately there is no quick fix. A circuit repair, which may involve electronic parts replacing will be needed in order to fix the problem.</ul> <div style="height:15px;"></div> 4. <b>Someone told me that the bulletin from Toyota is for a reprogramming of the ecm</b> <div style="height:15px;"></div> <ul><b>A</b>. While there is bulletin for reprogramming your RAV4 ecm, it is not intended for this issue with the transmission. It is for other problems involving erratically turning on the check engine light. The harsh shifting <b>WILL NOT BE FIXED BY PROGRAMMING. THE CIRCUIT MUST BE REPAIRED</b></ul>. <div style="height:15px;"></div> 5. <b>How do I know that this is the problem of my RAV4? Which are the symptoms?</b> <div style="height:15px;"></div> <ul><b>A</b>. The most common symptoms are: <ul> <li>Hard engagement when you put your RAV4 in reverse.</li> <li>The vehicle starts in higher gears instead of starting in first gear. Mostly in third gear.</li> <li>Because of the above, the vehicle feel very heavy when accelerating after a complete stop.</li> <li>The problem is not always present. It happens randomly or when the vehicle heats up.</li> <li>The check engine light will be on and the ecm computer when scanned, will either show no codes or will show false solenoid codes P0750, P0753, P0755, P0758 and sometimes, P1760.</li> <li>Some times, when parked with the engine running, you may hear a buzzing or rattling noise from the transmission area.</li> </ul> </ul> 6. <b>Is it true that this problem may damage the RAV4 transmission?</b> <div style="height:15px;"></div> <ul><b>A</b>. Yes. Since it is intermittent, erratic and the worst, will start the transmission in third or second gear instead of first, it can make substantial internal damage to the transmission or gear box, specially, burning of the clutches. Action should be taken <span style="text-decoration:line-through">quickly</span> immediately.</ul> <div style="height:15px;"></div> 7. <b>I heard that Toyota warranty will cover this. Is it true?</b> <div style="height:15px;"></div> <ul><b>A</b>. Yes. Toyota extended its warranty exclusively for this problem, for 2001, 2002 and 2003 Toyota RAV4 models. While this motion originated in California, Toyota extended the warranty for fixing this problem to all the United States. The extension will go from 8-Years/80,000 Miles, to <b>10-Years/150,000 Miles</b>, whichever comes first. Since at this date, 2001 models will still not have 10 years, unless bought early in year 2000, then the 150,000 miles is the factor to look at at this moment.</ul> <div style="height:15px;"></div> 8. <b>Is it true that these models' ecm computers cost is more than $1000?</b> <div style="height:15px;"></div> <ul><b>A</b>. Yes. Retail prices of the new units range from $1100 to $1700. We had it at about $700, but we ran out of these units since several months now.</ul> <div style="height:15px;"></div> 9. <b>What causes this problem to the ecm?</b> <div style="height:15px;"></div> <ul><b>A</b>. Among other factors like manufacture or design errors, there are also thermal problems. Excessive heat accumulated in the circuit, damages some electronic components of the circuit and make connections to fail.</ul> <div style="height:15px;"></div> 10. <b>If the problem is manufacture or design, what is the possibility of it happening again?</b> <div style="height:15px;"></div> <ul><b>A</b>. There are very few chances of this from happening again if the job is done right. Besides repairing the problem, by knowing the causes of the problem, we take preventive measures in an attempt to avoid this from happening again.</ul> <div style="height:20px;"></div> <a href="http://www.otherdeal.com" rel="nofollow"><b>OtherDeal.com</b></a> </div> Some quick Q&A for some of the many question we receive by email:

1. Does this problem is also present in 2010 RAV4?

    A. Definitively not. This problem is only present in 2001, 2002 and 2003 models with automatic transmission and either 4×4 or 4×2 wheel drive vehicles.

2. My RAV4 never had the problem until now, 8 years after I purchased it. Should I expect it to happen even though?

    A. Yes. It may happen any time. All those computers have the same problem. It is a matter of time. If you does not use your RAV4 too often, that might be the cause for the problem not happening so far.

3. Is there a quick fix for the harsh shifting problem on the 2001-2003 Toyota RAV4?

    A. Unfortunately there is no quick fix. A circuit repair, which may involve electronic parts replacing will be needed in order to fix the problem.

4. Someone told me that the bulletin from Toyota is for a reprogramming of the ecm

    A. While there is bulletin for reprogramming your RAV4 ecm, it is not intended for this issue with the transmission. It is for other problems involving erratically turning on the check engine light. The harsh shifting WILL NOT BE FIXED BY PROGRAMMING. THE CIRCUIT MUST BE REPAIRED

.

5. How do I know that this is the problem of my RAV4? Which are the symptoms?

    A. The most common symptoms are:
  • Hard engagement when you put your RAV4 in reverse.
  • The vehicle starts in higher gears instead of starting in first gear. Mostly in third gear.
  • Because of the above, the vehicle feel very heavy when accelerating after a complete stop.
  • The problem is not always present. It happens randomly or when the vehicle heats up.
  • The check engine light will be on and the ecm computer when scanned, will either show no codes or will show false solenoid codes P0750, P0753, P0755, P0758 and sometimes, P1760.
  • Some times, when parked with the engine running, you may hear a buzzing or rattling noise from the transmission area.

6. Is it true that this problem may damage the RAV4 transmission?

    A. Yes. Since it is intermittent, erratic and the worst, will start the transmission in third or second gear instead of first, it can make substantial internal damage to the transmission or gear box, specially, burning of the clutches. Action should be taken quickly immediately.

7. I heard that Toyota warranty will cover this. Is it true?

    A. Yes. Toyota extended its warranty exclusively for this problem, for 2001, 2002 and 2003 Toyota RAV4 models. While this motion originated in California, Toyota extended the warranty for fixing this problem to all the United States. The extension will go from 8-Years/80,000 Miles, to 10-Years/150,000 Miles, whichever comes first. Since at this date, 2001 models will still not have 10 years, unless bought early in year 2000, then the 150,000 miles is the factor to look at at this moment.

8. Is it true that these models’ ecm computers cost is more than $1000?

    A. Yes. Retail prices of the new units range from $1100 to $1700. We had it at about $700, but we ran out of these units since several months now.

9. What causes this problem to the ecm?

    A. Among other factors like manufacture or design errors, there are also thermal problems. Excessive heat accumulated in the circuit, damages some electronic components of the circuit and make connections to fail.

10. If the problem is manufacture or design, what is the possibility of it happening again?

    A. There are very few chances of this from happening again if the job is done right. Besides repairing the problem, by knowing the causes of the problem, we take preventive measures in an attempt to avoid this from happening again.

OtherDeal.com ]]>