I had this strange problem, which occurred twice already - rav4 engine doesn't start, but battery is good. When it happened the first time, removing and inserting the ignition key helped. But the second time, the only thing that made the engine start was ... pushing the panic button on the key. It smells like a problem with immobilizer chip in the key, though the whole procedure with panic mode (found just by chance) is quite weird. Besides it happened twice only with 3 months interval (if the key is damaged, I'd expect more consistent failures). Had anybody experienced anything like this?
RAV4 won't start with good battery
gogiya
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OMG I know this is late but I’ve just tried doing this with my 1999 rav4 and it worked! It was having the same problem as the OP. Wouldn’t even crank. Battery was fine. Thank you so much.
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Okay I admit it... I left the key in the on position for a couple hours yesterday. Battery went dead. So I charged it overnight. Now it will turn over but won’t start. It’s an 03 manual RAV4 Sport. “Sport”seems to be getting a spark but even using starter fluid isn’t getting her going. Help! Save Sport!
Maybe the battery can't hold a charge or is not fully charged. If you have a volt meter to check the battery you will know how much volts is being put out. How old is the battery?
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I will add to check your electolyte level in the cells.
2012 RAV4 Base FWD.
Upgraded to large front brakes and 3rd row rear springs.
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Could you clarify what this means? Replacing the starter with a reman(what is this?) was recommended
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What is a REMAN STARTER? Thank you
"Reman" is industry lingo for remanufactured meaning the starter has been rebuilt vs. being new. It's very common for many parts that are much more expensive new.
Since all the normal wear internals such as bearings and brushes have been replaced it's essentially a new starter in a used housing.
Many times reman parts have a core charge which is the refund you get when you return the defective part so it can be rebuilt for another customer.
Since all the normal wear internals such as bearings and brushes have been replaced it's essentially a new starter in a used housing.
Many times reman parts have a core charge which is the refund you get when you return the defective part so it can be rebuilt for another customer.
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I have a 2020 Rav4 LE. It is doing the same thing mentioned above with intermittently not start on the first attempt. It can take up to 10 attempts at times. The battery is brand new, it turns over just doesn't fire up.
Does the immobilizer light turn on?? If you depress the gas pedal all the way down then will the engine start? Does the engine start in neutral?
Depressing the gas pedal all the way down to clear a flood kind of went out what, 30 years ago?
No, clear flood mode has not gone away. Try Google. Should see year of results. It should be fairly current. Although modern engines have fuel injectors and less likely to flood, it doesn't mean engine do not flood from leaky injectors. Some vehicles still do have clear flood mode. Some people use clear flood mode after they change their oil. This puts lubrication where the oil was drained before the engine is started.
Note: The post was to present options to try. This would in turn let one know more about the condition of the engine.
Moderator's note: Some manufactures do but Toyota doesn't have a "Clear Flood Mode." Attempt it at your own risk since if the engine isn't flooded the result will be the same as flooring the accelerator while idling in Neutral.
Sorry, I think you're wrong.
No need to be sorry. Check for yourself. Google it.
Evidence. Not conjecture. Proof.
Here is one I found on Google
The date is June 3rd, 2023.
But, if you do not believe that one then check with Toyota or Honda or any major manufacturer. Some cars do not have clear flood mode. But, some do and it is available in modern cars and trucks. It is just a useful tool that has stayed with us.
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My '24 Crosstrek has clear flood mode and I use it if my car has sat for about a week so I can build at least some oil pressure before it starts.
Thank you for your input. It shows that this is still a useful tool.
Well Avisitor, Please don't take this personally because you usually have pertinent and helpful advice. But the Bryan guy you linked to doesn't have a clue, virtually about anything automotive, and must hope his readers don't either.
In another "discussion" he compares two different Dana axles and while enlightening his readers on which one "works best for your car" (as if you're going to change axles?), he answers the FAQ "How many axles does a Jeep Wrangler have?" with "2 axles. One axle is in the front, and the other is in the rear." Thanks Bryan!
Back to his brilliant info about flooded engines:
"How To Fix The Car Engine Flooded With Gas?
Usually, contact a repair center, and the professional mechanics there will complete all the work for you."
Okay, when it happens call someone who at least has clue.
"But if you want to experience it, it’s not a difficult repair process! I have successfully done this challenge many times using the procedure below."
Well, I didn't really want to experience it but I do enjoy a challenge and am glad it isn't so difficult a repair that it might just be DIY. And if Bryan has done it many times that gives me hope.
"First, you must move the car to a well-ventilated place away from home."
Sorry, but since it's flooded I can't move it at all so I'll have the tow truck drop it in the nearest open field.
"If you must do it inside your garage, close all windows and doors to prevent smoke and exhaust fumes from entering your home."
I thought I'd open the garage door so the fumes don't kill me, but if you say not . . .
"And now, let’s go into the specific process!
Push the gas pedal pad to the floor to cold start the engine (for up to 10 seconds) until you hear the motor trying to start.
Then you need to accelerate the engine for 1-2 seconds, then let it run idle for a few seconds.
Once you feel the engine warm up, turn off the engine because your car is healthy again!"
Yeah let's go! While you were looking for the pad on my gas pedal my motor not only tried to start, it did start but I didn't accelerate it because it made an awful noise so I just let it idle. I opened the hood felt the engine warm up and relieved it was healthy again I drove away. Thanks much Bryan. Couldn't have done it w/o your sage advice.
With all that here's a guy who actually does understand so-called "Clear Flood Mode" and what it's for. There is no flood to clear. It simple allows cranking the engine w/o it starting immediately and is useful in the special cases he details, none of which occur during normal starting and driving.
And BTW, I don't recommend trying this on your RAV4. I did on our '06 and it made the awfullest rattle I've ever heard so I hope I didn't damage it.
Moderator's note: Some manufactures do but Toyota doesn't have a "Clear Flood Mode." Attempt it at your own risk since if the engine isn't flooded the result will be the same as flooring the accelerator while idling in Neutral.
In another "discussion" he compares two different Dana axles and while enlightening his readers on which one "works best for your car" (as if you're going to change axles?), he answers the FAQ "How many axles does a Jeep Wrangler have?" with "2 axles. One axle is in the front, and the other is in the rear." Thanks Bryan!
Back to his brilliant info about flooded engines:
"How To Fix The Car Engine Flooded With Gas?
Usually, contact a repair center, and the professional mechanics there will complete all the work for you."
Okay, when it happens call someone who at least has clue.
"But if you want to experience it, it’s not a difficult repair process! I have successfully done this challenge many times using the procedure below."
Well, I didn't really want to experience it but I do enjoy a challenge and am glad it isn't so difficult a repair that it might just be DIY. And if Bryan has done it many times that gives me hope.
"First, you must move the car to a well-ventilated place away from home."
Sorry, but since it's flooded I can't move it at all so I'll have the tow truck drop it in the nearest open field.
"If you must do it inside your garage, close all windows and doors to prevent smoke and exhaust fumes from entering your home."
I thought I'd open the garage door so the fumes don't kill me, but if you say not . . .
"And now, let’s go into the specific process!
Push the gas pedal pad to the floor to cold start the engine (for up to 10 seconds) until you hear the motor trying to start.
Then you need to accelerate the engine for 1-2 seconds, then let it run idle for a few seconds.
Once you feel the engine warm up, turn off the engine because your car is healthy again!"
Yeah let's go! While you were looking for the pad on my gas pedal my motor not only tried to start, it did start but I didn't accelerate it because it made an awful noise so I just let it idle. I opened the hood felt the engine warm up and relieved it was healthy again I drove away. Thanks much Bryan. Couldn't have done it w/o your sage advice.
With all that here's a guy who actually does understand so-called "Clear Flood Mode" and what it's for. There is no flood to clear. It simple allows cranking the engine w/o it starting immediately and is useful in the special cases he details, none of which occur during normal starting and driving.
And BTW, I don't recommend trying this on your RAV4. I did on our '06 and it made the awfullest rattle I've ever heard so I hope I didn't damage it.
Moderator's note: Some manufactures do but Toyota doesn't have a "Clear Flood Mode." Attempt it at your own risk since if the engine isn't flooded the result will be the same as flooring the accelerator while idling in Neutral.
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My brother in law who is a Toyota technician, says you're right.
Did you even read bryan's childish linked thread. It's comical.
The only thing the current Clear Flood Mode, where you hold the accelerator to the floor while attempting to start the engine, has in common with an actual flooded carburetted engine of yesteryear is flooring the accelerator. In the current application there is no flood to clear in fact there is no fuel in the engine at all. It simply allows cranking the engine w/o it starting, say to build oil pressure after an oil and filter change. Similar action, entirely different reason. It should be called a No Start Mode but that wouldn't be as intriguing.
But CAUTION, DO NOT hold the accelerator to the floor while trying to start your RAV4's (or any vehicle's) engine unless you know for certain it has this mode. When I tried it on our '06 RAV4 the engine revved sky high and rattled like crazy before I could shut it off. It was okay on a test drive this morning and all 269 horses were galloping but it was scary to hear the worst rattle ever.
So instead of avoiding the bearing damage that CFM is intended for it could easily cause serious damage if it turns out the vehicle doesn't have it.
I used that quote for the date. As it was ravenuer who claimed that clear flood mode was about 30 years past and inferred that clear flood mode is no longer in use. Okay, bad example. But my point is that clear flood mode is still available on some modern cars.
What I have learned about cars is that not everything from one model of car is applicable to all models of cars. And with so much out there, I am usually stuck trying to catch up. If I am wrong then I apologize.
You are right. One should not try unless one is certain one has clear flood mode or should be prepared for engine to rev high. And again, the point was to state that clear flood mode is still available on some modern cars. And it is not dead with the dinosaurs some 30 years ago. Wait, I did not mean dinosaur were alive 30 years ago. Haha
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