[1/6/2023 - SOLVED]: The fuel pump would start and seem to work, but it would start to malfunction within a few minutes or seconds of operation. It was a relatively new fuel pump (only in operation for 10 months since March 2022), so I assumed it wasn't the problem. However, due to build up of rust or dirt in the tank, I think that it must have become plugged up with tiny bits of debris. The vehicle starts fine after replacing it, and on top of that I got to do some long needed maintenance and the idle is much smoother now. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to give me a hand.
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My 98 RAV4 (256k km/159k Mi, 3FSE, AWD, Automatic) Starts up for anywhere between a few seconds to a few minutes before stalling. I can get it to start a couple of times before eventually it will only crank. Once I let it sit for a few hours, it will start again, but it goes back to stalling. I've been trying everything over the past week, without much luck.
The problem started gradually over a couple days. I got a P0171 code, Fuel System Too Lean, and figured it might have been bad gas. It drove fine for the rest of the trip after the code. The next day I noticed that it started to lose power at random, but once again I chalked it up to water in the fuel. I bought some gas line antifreeze, put it in and drove home.
I drove it to work later that day, and on the way the problem got worse and I started to lose power, especially up hill. The car would drop in RPM then suddenly recover over and over. I got it to work, but it stalled. Eventually after siphoning out the old gas and putting fresh stuff in, and some new spark plugs(the old ones were coated in dry carbon), I got it going long enough for a jerky ride home.
After a while I found out that if I lift up the fuel pump a bit just before the Rav stalls, or if I continue to lift it up and down, I can get it to keep running. The fuel pump in the car is fairly new, I replaced the original one in March, 2022. I suspect that it might have something to do with the Fuel Pressure Regulator, but I figured I'd reach out first.
I used a Veepeak ODB2 scanner to check the sensors, and all of them seem to be working fine, and throwing no codes. I have systematically unplugged the MAP Sensor, O2 Sensor Bank 1, Coolant Temperature Sensor, Air Temperature Sensor, Vapor Pressure Sensor (some caused backfires and pops when unplugged, but still stalled). I've also replaced the Fuel Filter under the fuse box (and bypassed the in-tank filter connected to the Fuel Pressure Regulator), changed the Fuel Pump Strainer, checked all fuses and relays related to the fuel system and ECU (none had to be replaced), changed the air filter, plugged the Vacuum hoses to the break booster and check for leaks, temporarily removed the catalytic converter, and cleaned the EGR Valve, EGR Vacuum Modulator, PWM, Gas Filter (connected to the MAP Sensor), PCV valve (it rattles), and the Throttle Body. All of this seemed to have no effect.
I thought I'd post here to see if anyone else has run into the same issue and can save me anymore headaches. Thanks for reading, and if you've got questions for me, feel free.
I will update if I find a solution. New fuel pump and Fuel Pressure Regulator coming on Friday with any luck.
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My 98 RAV4 (256k km/159k Mi, 3FSE, AWD, Automatic) Starts up for anywhere between a few seconds to a few minutes before stalling. I can get it to start a couple of times before eventually it will only crank. Once I let it sit for a few hours, it will start again, but it goes back to stalling. I've been trying everything over the past week, without much luck.
The problem started gradually over a couple days. I got a P0171 code, Fuel System Too Lean, and figured it might have been bad gas. It drove fine for the rest of the trip after the code. The next day I noticed that it started to lose power at random, but once again I chalked it up to water in the fuel. I bought some gas line antifreeze, put it in and drove home.
I drove it to work later that day, and on the way the problem got worse and I started to lose power, especially up hill. The car would drop in RPM then suddenly recover over and over. I got it to work, but it stalled. Eventually after siphoning out the old gas and putting fresh stuff in, and some new spark plugs(the old ones were coated in dry carbon), I got it going long enough for a jerky ride home.
After a while I found out that if I lift up the fuel pump a bit just before the Rav stalls, or if I continue to lift it up and down, I can get it to keep running. The fuel pump in the car is fairly new, I replaced the original one in March, 2022. I suspect that it might have something to do with the Fuel Pressure Regulator, but I figured I'd reach out first.
I used a Veepeak ODB2 scanner to check the sensors, and all of them seem to be working fine, and throwing no codes. I have systematically unplugged the MAP Sensor, O2 Sensor Bank 1, Coolant Temperature Sensor, Air Temperature Sensor, Vapor Pressure Sensor (some caused backfires and pops when unplugged, but still stalled). I've also replaced the Fuel Filter under the fuse box (and bypassed the in-tank filter connected to the Fuel Pressure Regulator), changed the Fuel Pump Strainer, checked all fuses and relays related to the fuel system and ECU (none had to be replaced), changed the air filter, plugged the Vacuum hoses to the break booster and check for leaks, temporarily removed the catalytic converter, and cleaned the EGR Valve, EGR Vacuum Modulator, PWM, Gas Filter (connected to the MAP Sensor), PCV valve (it rattles), and the Throttle Body. All of this seemed to have no effect.
I thought I'd post here to see if anyone else has run into the same issue and can save me anymore headaches. Thanks for reading, and if you've got questions for me, feel free.
I will update if I find a solution. New fuel pump and Fuel Pressure Regulator coming on Friday with any luck.
