1996 Rav 4 Accelerating/Stalling Issues

[1996rav4gal]

Hi everyone,

I'm in very unfamiliar territory and know very little about cars, let alone my Toyota 1996 Rav 4.

I've had the car for about 3 months now and it was running perfectly when I got it. I've added about 1,800 miles in the last month and am driving on pretty rough mountainous roads.

2 months ago, I noticed it would stall slightly when I was turning it on for the first time each day. I didn't think much of it and a mechanic replaced the spark plugs which seemed to temporarily resolve the issue.

About 3 weeks ago, the problem started again but was significantly worse. Again, a mechanic replaced the spark plugs 1 week ago. Over the last 4 days, it has gotten even worse. It will stall 3 or 4 times before turning on and then after I put it into drive and step on the gas, it takes 30 seconds to 1 minute for the car actually accelerate.

Can anyone help me or give some guidance?

I should also mention that I am currently using this car while living in Uganda and working for a US-based NGO. Needless to say, there aren't any Toyota dealerships here and I'm hesitant to bring it to most mechanics.

I'm really looking for some advice from experts out there who know this car well and will greatly appreciate your comments.

[neodagzph]

check for worn vacuum hoses and replace it. Have your IACV, throttle body, airbox filter, airbox sensor (but use CRC cleaner) and since its on the engine bay might as well clean the battery connectors.

Lets wait for additional info from our gurus.

[hd72m]

neodagzph gave you good advice.
If it runs ok after it is warm clean throttlebody and IAC,ask around for someone who works on Toyotas.
Ask if they know how to check codes,they will show area of the problem if it still runs bad after it is warm.
As stated have them check all vacuum lines.

[Yoff]

I had similar problem, even TOYOTA dealer wasn't able to help. Check all sensors wires! In my case I had a bad crankshaft position sensor wire.

[Slowhand]

Where would the bad crankshaft position wire/sensor be?

[hd72m]

This is the first thing I would do,clean throttlebody.
Most use a spray and as "neodagzph" said it is best to use throttlebody cleaner but carb cleaner spray will also work.
This is a ford but about the same thing.

Throttle Body Cleaning - Dirty Throttle Body Symptoms and Problems - YouTube

Throttle Body Cleaning - Dirty Throttle Body Symptoms and Problems - YouTube

Hope video shows up.
A tooth brush works good also.
If you park on a slight side incline so the spray runs out it is better,just a slight incline is all you need.
On top and towards back you will see a cable go around a wheel looking thing and you turn this to open butterfly to clean.
In video the guy knows what he is doing but you do not want to force rag or brush to hard,do not want to bend or break anything.
There is other videos on youtube.
On the bottom or underneath throttlebody is the IAC,if it still does it look for video on how to clean it also,easy to do.
While you or someone else is under hood look at all small rubber hoses for cracks or bad shape,these are vacuum hoses.

[needa]

my car would start and idle fine. maybe a little low. but the acceleration sputtering at take off is something i recognize as i went through it for a long time. spark plugs would help but not for long etc.

check your plug wires. they may have stuck on some cheap autozone wires before you bought it. one to three months is all i would get on a set of those. if none of the above works.... get the denso wires. those are the only ones i have found that last. and i went through half a dozen sets at least before i finally wised up and listened to what i was reading around here.

[hd72m]

needa is right ,in the USA bosh wires do not work well in our RAV4s,.
They may make wires for some off name brands also.