This past week the CE, TRAC OFF and 4WD error lights came on with car still driving normally.
First test was hitting the gas on grass. 4WD was definitely cancelled as front tires spun and car barely moved.
Read the codes with the cheap OBDII reader I keep in the car. P0500 = Vehicle Speed Sensor. Read several threads which said replacing the sensor didn't solve the issue.
Part number 89413-48010, $105-120 most places online. Didn't want to spend that much if it might not work especially since the speedometer was working okay. Looked it up on Autozone.com and got part number SU4045
Duralast Vehicle/Transmission Speed Sensor SU4045
Bought one on Amazon for $14. Used this video to replace it:
Since I didn't want to mess with the plastic cover just to get to the front battery bracket bolt I didn't remove the battery. Didn't disconnect the harness at 4:28 either and used a 17mm 12 point socket and a long extension to push down and rotate the new sensor to get it seated.
Problem solved? Nope. Got the same error lights again with a P2714 code, Pressure Control Solenoid D, using my fancy TOPDON TopScan scanner. Low ATF could be a cause. Had also noticed a lag in acceleration that I thought might be low fluid. Sure enough a quart low. Added a quart of Valvoline but still noticed a distinct dead spot sometimes while trying to accelerate from a stop. Push the pedal very far and when the power came on it felt like you got rear ended.
Then I noticed that during the dead spot the tachometer didn't jump up from 1000 RPM like it normally does. Surmised it was an engine problem not a transmission issue. Used the TOPDON to monitor accelerator pedal position and throttle blade position voltages. During the dead spot both voltages didn't respond to the gas pedal so I suspected the Pedal Position Sensor.
Got permission to borrow the PPS from a RAV4 I helped a lady find last year while she wasn't currently using the car.
Instant fix! But rather than pay $80-100 and wait a couple weeks for a new one I'll go to a local yard and get a used one. Never heard of one failing so I should be okay and I'll able to put her RAV4 back together.
First test was hitting the gas on grass. 4WD was definitely cancelled as front tires spun and car barely moved.
Read the codes with the cheap OBDII reader I keep in the car. P0500 = Vehicle Speed Sensor. Read several threads which said replacing the sensor didn't solve the issue.
Part number 89413-48010, $105-120 most places online. Didn't want to spend that much if it might not work especially since the speedometer was working okay. Looked it up on Autozone.com and got part number SU4045
Duralast Vehicle/Transmission Speed Sensor SU4045
Bought one on Amazon for $14. Used this video to replace it:
Since I didn't want to mess with the plastic cover just to get to the front battery bracket bolt I didn't remove the battery. Didn't disconnect the harness at 4:28 either and used a 17mm 12 point socket and a long extension to push down and rotate the new sensor to get it seated.
Problem solved? Nope. Got the same error lights again with a P2714 code, Pressure Control Solenoid D, using my fancy TOPDON TopScan scanner. Low ATF could be a cause. Had also noticed a lag in acceleration that I thought might be low fluid. Sure enough a quart low. Added a quart of Valvoline but still noticed a distinct dead spot sometimes while trying to accelerate from a stop. Push the pedal very far and when the power came on it felt like you got rear ended.
Then I noticed that during the dead spot the tachometer didn't jump up from 1000 RPM like it normally does. Surmised it was an engine problem not a transmission issue. Used the TOPDON to monitor accelerator pedal position and throttle blade position voltages. During the dead spot both voltages didn't respond to the gas pedal so I suspected the Pedal Position Sensor.
Got permission to borrow the PPS from a RAV4 I helped a lady find last year while she wasn't currently using the car.
Instant fix! But rather than pay $80-100 and wait a couple weeks for a new one I'll go to a local yard and get a used one. Never heard of one failing so I should be okay and I'll able to put her RAV4 back together.
