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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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?
That is strange. If it's the immobilizer, it will turn over just fine but not start. The immobilizer disables the fuel pump. Try using the other key. If that works, you have a bad key. If not, it could be the immobilizer transducer at the ignition switch. I don't know what the panic button would have to do with it.gogiya said:
Well, it happened again yesterday and I had 2 keys. None of them started the car, so it doesn't look like immobilizer. Got the car towed to dealership and as soon as rav4 went from dolly ... it started. I still left the car parked at the dealership. Needless to say that this morning service rep called saying that they cannot reproduce the problem, computer doesn't show anything, so they cannot help. I've asked about wiring, neutral safety - they say it was checked. Don't even know what to do - no doubt the problem will return sooner or later.
In that case, it's definitely not an immobilizer problem.gogiya said:
Next time it happens, keep the key in the "start" position with one hand, while playing with the shift lever with the other hand. Try it in park and neutral.
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Also test for a poor connection to the battery by leaving the door open so the dome light is on when you try to start the RAV. If the dome light dims significantly when you try to crank,you probably have a loose connection on the battery post.
An even better test is to see if your headlights dim when you try to start the RAV(assuming you can see your headlights reflecting on a garage door or a wall) .
Rick
An even better test is to see if your headlights dim when you try to start the RAV(assuming you can see your headlights reflecting on a garage door or a wall) .
Rick
Any update on this? I think we're onto a common problem, but my wife called and said no start on our "new" vehicle. No crank, just key goes to the run position and everything lights up. Very weird and hard to reproduce, but I'll be damned if I'm going to stand back and worry about our car starting random places. Please chime in if you had any success in remedying the problem. Thanks!
Adam
Adam
Great timing Adam, just wanted to post the update. It happened again today. I followed James' advise to play with shift lever. I was keeping the key in "start" position with left hand and as soon as I moved the lever right, still in the parking slot, the car started. Thanks James! Seems like the neutral safety switch. Don't know why dealership mechanic has rejected this idea.
Thanks for the update! I may try to coeherse my dealer to look into the situation because I'm @ 34K... I did buy the platinum extended warranty, so I'm hoping things like that will continue to be covered. Keep us posted, and I'll do the same. Thanks again!
Adam
Adam
Great! TSB was posted for the problem (though not Canadian one):
http://www.rav4world.com/forums/106...s/106-4-3-tsbs/77579-tsb-0348-09-intermittent-no-crank-no-start-09-30-09-a.html
Interesting enough that I didn't have the problem after applied the workaround above.
http://www.rav4world.com/forums/106...s/106-4-3-tsbs/77579-tsb-0348-09-intermittent-no-crank-no-start-09-30-09-a.html
Interesting enough that I didn't have the problem after applied the workaround above.
Wow...
I bought my 2007 earlier this year and dropped by the forum after this happened to me today. It's happened on rare occasions since I bought the vehicle. I took it to the dealer and of course they couldn't reproduce it ( not their fault... it's rare that it happens and they can't fix something that is working ).
It's the same thing every time... I hop in, hold the break as I start, turn the key.... lights come on, but no crank or anything. It's always unexpected so I repeat a few times and eventually it starts up (probably after tugging the shift knob).
Thanks for all the follow-ups, now I know how to approach the dealer.
I bought my 2007 earlier this year and dropped by the forum after this happened to me today. It's happened on rare occasions since I bought the vehicle. I took it to the dealer and of course they couldn't reproduce it ( not their fault... it's rare that it happens and they can't fix something that is working ).
It's the same thing every time... I hop in, hold the break as I start, turn the key.... lights come on, but no crank or anything. It's always unexpected so I repeat a few times and eventually it starts up (probably after tugging the shift knob).
Thanks for all the follow-ups, now I know how to approach the dealer.
They told that this is US TBA. As for the switch, I was told that they cannot reproduce the problem. I've asked which part of word intermittent they didn't understand but response was that if I don't like their service I can complain to Toyota Canada.
The funny part of all this that the answer from support person of Toyota Canada was something like "we are not technically trained and cannot help you - you need to talk with your dealership. Back to square one 
Not sure if this is in Canada only, but Toyota and its dealerships behave more and more like they don't have any doubts in constant stream of customers. regardless what they do (or don't do).
Not sure if this is in Canada only, but Toyota and its dealerships behave more and more like they don't have any doubts in constant stream of customers. regardless what they do (or don't do).Here it is thanksgivings night and for the first time our 2010 RAV4 won't start. Lights all came on. But it won't turn over. Tried jumping it and nothing. Tried disconnecting negative battery cable and still nothing. Read on other forms about messing with gear shifter and nothing. Can't even lock it. Panic button don't work either. What do we do?
Ok good to know. My husband didn't put our car back in park and we have a keyless car so when he pushed the button it didn't turn off 100% because it was still in drive so the battery ran so low that the system went nuts thinking it was being stolen. So it locked up.
So I'm having this exact same problem with my car. The battery tested low. We replaced it. The lights come on but the car doesn't turn over and we can't lock the car. The battery cables are fine.
Did anyone find out what the problem is?
Thanks in advance!
Did anyone find out what the problem is?
Thanks in advance!
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