[brucecb12]

2001 rav4.. hard shift between 1 &2 .. real hard shift.. Followed directions and re-soldered the resistors and the transistor cold solder joints for good measure.. Put it back in and same issue.. Hard shift.. Scratched my head and wondered if i missed something so i removed the solder i put on and did it all again.. Took it for a drive and same thing.. However the next day it started shifting like a new one.. Guess that computer had to have a chance to get used to the new commands .. THANKS for the "it works DIY" ..

 

[FMV]

Hot Air Reflow Station

Dear Friends,

Mine RAV4 2003 have just started behaving weird, with ackward gear shifting plus a slipping sensation, so I am trying to find someone here in Brazil that could service the ECU board.

I found out I will have to do it myself, so after some research, I found a similar situation where the guy used just a hot air rework station and it looked like extremely simple.

Please check the video on Youtube:
https://youtu.be/lgcZ7LYKb_w

Do you think it could work?

 

[brucecb12]

Why not use the video shown in this thread as the one u posted is for a different vehicle.. That being said.. Hot air works just as well or better than a soldering iron.. Problem i have found with hot air is getting used to how much heat u are applying. I have seen very small parts "dislodged" by hot air gun "on the opposite side" by putting it too close to the part and heating both sides at once.. CAREFUL is all this amateur could add.

 

[FMV]

Brucecb12,
I posted a video of another ECU as It was the only example of ECU being serviced with hot air I could find.
As I have decided I will fix it myself, I would like to know if you have any issues regarding the lead-free solder. Do I need to reflow/resolder with lead free solder as well? The fusion temperature is 30 to 40'C higher when compared to Tin/Lead solder alloys. Do I need to add more solder or just melt the solder that is already there?
Many thanks.

 

[JuneBug]

Brucecb12,
I posted a video of another ECU as It was the only example of ECU being serviced with hot air I could find.
As I have decided I will fix it myself, I would like to know if you have any issues regarding the lead-free solder. Do I need to reflow/resolder with lead free solder as well? The fusion temperature is 30 to 40'C higher when compared to Tin/Lead solder alloys. Do I need to add more solder or just melt the solder that is already there?
Many thanks.

Sorry to interrupt, but I recommend staying away from lead-free solder. It is more brittle and more likely to crack, especially in an automotive environment. Yes, reflow with a little more solder to each joint, but don't overdo it.

 

[CB91710]

Sorry to interrupt, but I recommend staying away from lead-free solder. It is more brittle and more likely to crack, especially in an automotive environment. Yes, reflow with a little more solder to each joint, but don't overdo it.

My experience is, even with rosin core, is that lead-free is also very hard on soldering iron tips.
I've had tips that I've used for years, as well as brand new tips, completely eroded within just an hour or two of use with lead free.

And the bismuth and other replacements for the lead are no better for us or the environment... they're all heavy metals with similar chemical characteristics.

 

[Rav4.bc.ca]

I have a 2001 Rav4 with the typical shifting complaints. Tried the resoldering of identified parts, as well as everything else that was big enough to work with, no change. Took it to the dealership, they told me there was nothing wrong with the ECM, no codes and no updates needed, and that the transmission likely needs to be replaced. Seems like they didn't believe me about the ECM problem, though they did dig up the TSB on it. The shop tech told me they've never replaced an ECM.

What do you guys think, is it really the ECM if they've already had a look at it and think it's ok? The other thing to note is that it has 240k on it.

Does anyone know of a reputable place in Canada to get the ECM repaired? I've checked with a couple of places in the states and it would be over $400 by the time you add shipping.

Thanks for any help!

 

[cutthroat22]

I'm in BC as well and sent mine to Home and have been driving it for a few years with no problems. I am confident in these guys as they have repaired many others from this forum.

Unfortunately with our current low Canadian dollar it ads up.

As for taking it to a Toyota dealer mine wanted to replace the transmission and ECU = big $$$$. My failing ECM also generated no codes.

The $300 or whatever it was turned out to be the best money I have spent on this vehicle.

 

[cons]

my ecu of 2004 rav looks totally diferent to the ones fixed on utube.the part no is8966142a50.anyone has knowledge to fixing this ecu.the original one was selecting 2 gears at the same time and the car would pull away very heavy and shoot to third gear.putt in a second hand one from another vehicle and had it programmed to my car and now the car reves high from second to third and feels like its slipping bt the mechanic said the gears aren't slipping.tried putting the old one back and now the car doesn't even idle.dont no what they done

 

[benjamindex]

tengo una RAV4 2001, tengo problemas con la ECU, es recomendable que la repare yo mismo o la envie a reparar que opinan ustedes

 

[Rav4Repair]

Pues repararla tu mismo no es recomendable, a menos que tengas conociminetos avanzados en electronica.

Yo recibi una que el cliente la trato de reparar el mismo y tuve que remplazarle mas piezas de lo normal 9si, no es solo soldadura) y tambien le remplaze el microcintrolador (MCU) de motor, que tiene 80 pines, que lo dañó con el cautin. El trabajo cojio el dia entero.

Si deseas te puedo brindar el servico. Veras la informacion en el enlace al final de este mensaje.

Saludos,

Richard

---
ENGLISH VERSION

Well, doing the job yourself is not recommended, unless you have advanced knowledge in electronics.

I received and ECM from a customer that he previously tried to repair himself and I had to replace more parts than usual (yes, it is not only soldering) and also had to replace the engine micro-controller (MCU) that has 80-pins, that he damaged with the soldering iron. The job took the whole day.

If you wish, I can offer the service. You will find the information at the link at the bottom of this message.

Regards,

Richard

http://www.facebook.com/Rav4Repair

 

[OSCBRADLEY]

Hello- I am purchasing a 2002 RAV4 for my daughters first car. They are currently replacing the ECU (not sure if they are sending it out or what) which is great but I have no way of knowing if it was bad for a while and has caused any damage to the transmission (115K miles on it). I will probably end up sending out ECU to reputable shop for repair just to be safe but in the meantime, is there anything I can do to check for tranny damage? drain fluid and look for metal shavings is about all I can think of. Look forward to helpful responses. Thanks very much.

 

[torontezu]

This seems to be an ongoing issue and it finally struck my RAV4 too, at just over 200KM. No issues before, just two nights ago a first jerk when going in reverse. Then yesterday the typical: rough shift in reverse, rough shift to 2nd and occasional stops and shakes mid-way through the 2nd with hesitations seeking to shift to 3rd.

For me, in Toronto, my options narrowed down to two, and I was ready to choose either of them as they are both verified and good pros. Depending on your location, you can deal with Neutron Electronics in Guelph, 519-766-6993 or Rus in Vaughan, Hwy400/Hwy7, 416-660-8414. I chose Rus as driving to guelph was tough on a tight schedule. He had the 10mm wrench and Phillips screwdriver ready. He fixed it in no time, test-drove and offered warranty. He helped many and I was looking at an "as brandnew" computer teaching it the shift pattern again. Kudos to both for the positive attitude and once again another slap to the dealerships asking for many hundred$ to fix something that should by now be a subsidized recall/maintenance issue.

 

[jhoeylely]

RAV4 1998 ECU PART No.

Guys,


Greetings! Need your urgent help please...I have 1998 RAV4, but unfortunately, the Engine Control(ECU) crashed. Now I am planning to purchase brand new parts here in KSA. But they are saying that the part no. between Philippines and KSA are different.


The part no. is 89661-42270, Engine Control...Please need your kind help...thanks a lot.....

 

[tyfytr]

accessing the ECU board

I have a 2008 RAV4 V6. I want to access the ECU board to take a look at the chip condition, but can't get pass the housing/enclosure. Any recommendations on how to get to the board?

Thanks!

 

[Clouddripper]

I have a 2002 rav 4 which seemed to shift fine no problems with slipping then 1 day after parking overnight I leave to go to work no problems for about a mile then my transmission starts slipping like crazy I get home and check the fluid and it is extremely high on the dip stick which leads me to believe it's not leaving the tranny pan does anyone have thoughts about this can a bad ecu be the problem?

 

[TroubleInNJ]

Hello All,
New here, 1st post. Just had to say Thank You,
I have 02 Rav4 with only 52,000 mi. Needless to say its not driven much. It started with the hard shift into reverse, drive. Progressed into serious shifting problems. Brought it to the dealer, where they updated the ECU. Which after reading all the horror stories I didn't have much hope on it fixing the issue. The update did nothing. I'm sure the tech who parked the truck after updating it noticed it didn't help. You would think they'd call to inform me..lol So I brought the truck back home and just pulled the ECU, thanks to youtube and your post. I'll keep yas updated, after I repair it.
Thanks again .

 

[rlarry]

I don't know what to do.

My car drives beautifully but it does jerk some when changing gears while not moving. Like if I go in reverse or back into drive. Not bad , but
it's a jerk for sure.

I feel like I should get it done but hate the idea of messing with something if it's running great.

Then I think it might be too late if I keep driving the Rav causing more damage and then I might need things replaced and that costs money.

Plus these services for the rav on ebay and the guy here in NYC just trade your ECM out and they put in their repaired ECM. I don't like that idea. I rather have my original ECM in my car.

Oh what to do !

PS: Plus the Toyota website says my car is one of them and that I should bring it in to get serviced. Doesn't say if it's free of cost being I missed the 10 year mark and not sure if I still can do it free of cost being I'm under the 150,000 mark.

mine same 2003 rav4 no luck from dealer i heard 10 years was extended then not 150.000

 

[TroubleInNJ]

Saved the Rav4, Fixing ECU at Mandigital on ebay

I'm sorry its taken so long to post update. Great news.... Trucks fixed. Cost less than $100 and 30min of my time to pull and reinstall the ECU. I found a guy on Ebay who fixes your'e actual ECU. Doesn't swap it out nor load a bunch of concealer on the board, (sorry can't post the link anyway...) or if your'e weary of clicking on links like me...lol search for mandigital on ebay. I almost went with another place that charged $200 simply because they're site was professional. I'm so glad I stuck with my gut feeling and went with mandigital. I purchased the listing on ebay then followed instructions. Shipped him my ECU. I can't remember exactly how long it took to get it back but it was less than two weeks. I installed the ECU and crossed my fingers.... Sure enough all the issues were gone! I couldn't believe it. The best thing is it comes with a warranty so if it happens again you ship it back. As of today 1/20/17 our Rav4 is still running great. Best of luck.

Its really sad that Toyota has turned there backs on customers. Its such an obvious problem for so many. I contacted them and begged them to honor the warranty, due to the limited amount of miles the truck has, but my pleas fell on deaf ears. There loss, were no longer Toyota supporters. So last month when we went shopping for a new SUV. Even though Toyota had great deals on new Rav's. We went with Cadillac.

 

[Rumpole]

Don't fix ECU yourself!

I agree Toyota, or at least their dealers, are ignoring this problem, but don't try to fix it yourself.

My 2002 RAV4 started having typical harsh gear shifting, not going up a gear, 'bunny-hopping' etc. The local garage wanted to put in a new (second-hand) transmission for $2000. I live 50km from the nearest Toyota dealer so unsafe to drive that far. I phoned their service dept and asked about a faulty ECU. The guy said 'we don't have that problem in Australia with RAV4 ECUs, and anyway a new ECU would cost $2000'.

You can buy second hand ECUs on Ebay, from wreckers etc, but of course 2002 RAVs have engine immobilisers and a replacement ECU would have to be re-programmed, otherwise the car won't even start. Repairing your own ECU is far too complicated.

Fortunately I sent my ECU to Australian Fuel Injection in Sydney and they repaired it and sent it back for $330, and car now running perfectly.

My RAV4 has been very reliable over the years and still looks great after 15 years, but as a trade-in on a new car I was recently offered only $2000 for it! Go figure.