[Clemmyrav]

Good afternoon all. I have one final issue to solve with my Rav...

There will occasionally be a very quick engine jerk that seems to be random. The rpm will quickly drop and come back up. It occurs when in drive, 2, L, neutral. It happens when driving and when completely stopped at a light.

The only consistency I have noticed is that it occurs more often with the AC on, and at one spot on my route at a slight incline, 25-35 mph and about 1500 rpm.

You can see it about 15 sec into this video:

and about 16 sec into this one:

I have replaced my PCV valve, cleaned my injectors, cleaned the throttle body, checked for vacuum leaks with carb cleaner. I will check the fuel filter next, but has anyone had any similar issues? Thanks!

 

[TadR]

ECM (electronic control module) - I think every early 2000’s Toyota Rav4 should be made aware of the ECM (electronic control module) bad soldering issue.

Four years ago I thought my 2002 Rav4’s transmission was trashed. It would bang and slip from 2nd gear to Idle or 1st gear. It would surge erratically hunting for gears or just idle to near the point of shuttling off... while driving! Truly dangerous.

After some research online, I discovered an article that described specific locations on the ECM circuit board where resistors were known to be poorly soldered - cold soldered. Having an outrageously priced quote for a transmission replacement, I felt it was worth taking a look.

After removal and inspection of the ECM, sure enough I could easily see the bad soldering throughout the board. After a bit of careful touchup soldering, installing, testing on the road... it was much better!
I removed the ECM again to make additional touch ups, ...which completely solved the problem!!! I’ve not had a single transmission issue since then. So glad I didn’t ditch this little gem because of such a simple problem - this problem should absolutely be a Toyota recall.
Now, I see replacement / repair services that are available for this issue.

So glad someone posted the original circuitboard diagram showing the problem areas on the ECM... it’s out there. Saved me thousands of $$$’s. I almost gave up on a faithful car that I’ve truly enjoyed owning.

 

[Clemmyrav]

ECM (electronic control module) - I think every early 2000’s Toyota Rav4 should be made aware of the ECM (electronic control module) bad soldering issue.

Thank you for the suggestion, TadR. I actually had that issue about a year ago, and ended up sending it to an ebay store to get resoldered for about $200. Very much worth it.

I agree it should be a recall issue rather than just something to deal with. I might check it again just to see if any solder is cracking, but to be honest it dont think it's anything with the transmission. My issue is more like the engine skipping a beat.

Speaking of which, I checked the fuel pump and it doesn't look bad...though I'm not an expert.

I want to swap in a new ignition coil and injector to see if that's the issue, but I feel like if it's either of those it'd throw a code...

 

[DL175]

The ECM had soldering that cracks plus some capacitors that went bad. Initially Toyota did offer owners compensation but it was for a short time. The ECM is behind the glove box so it is easy to remove and tale out. Many online ECM rebuilders around to have this repaired.

 

[DL175]

Could be a dirty throttle body.

 

[Clemmyrav]

Could be a dirty throttle body.

I have cleaned the throttle body as well. I couldn't get the IACV off because it's just a couple phillips screw (who designed that, I dont know), but I did get cleaner in there.

What gets me as well is that it happens in every gear when stopped.