Could be many causes. Codes = ?

Electrical: Check/replace your ground/earth strap, and consider adding another.

Air filter and upstream O2 sensor. Cat getting clogged?

Fuel pump? Or gas cap? Open to see if the tank is not getting air.

 

//

Fuel pump? Or gas cap? Open to see if the tank is not getting air.

Also: the circuit opening relay?
good to know : if the coil is dying and do not send the IGF feedback signal to the ECU, or if the ECU does not receive the IGF signal for whatever reason, it opens the circuit opening relay and stops the fuel pump.

 

We had that happen for a while with our 99 and it finally came down to a cracked rotor. It would expand when hot and stop engine. Leave for 10 mins and off we would go again till it shut down next time. It was very frustrating as you would never know when it was going to happen.

 

Does the CEL come on during the lamp test?

Are any engine codes stored?

Check the ECT Sensor. For instructions on how to do this, go to sites.google.com/site/ellessite/ and see the "Starting & Running Problems" guide.

How old are the spark plugs and spark plug cables? Check the spark plug cable resistances. Each should be much less than 25k ohms. Run the engine in a darkened garage with the hood up. Do the cables give off sparks?

How old is the front oxygen sensor? Is it a Denso or OEM sensor?

 

Don't know why I put Rotor, thinking of an older car we have here. We had a cracked coil

 

bingo! 😁

 

The United States-distributed 1998-2000 Rav4 is distributor-less. Instead of a distributor, ignition coil and igniter, the 1998-2000 Rav4 has two coil packs, with each coil pack having its own igniter and coil. Each coil pack fires two cylinders. If one of the coil packs were failing, I would expect a Code P030- . I do not rule out a failing coil pack. But absent a code, I think it is unlikely.

If the OP's vehicle had a distributor, and given the symptoms, I would be considering the coil and igniter.

 

Hi Elle,

this is interesting, I took a look at the Electrical Wiring Diagram (see attached pages), in the infamous EWD.pdf that we usually find on the internets, and which I suppose is for 96+ US Rav4 (e.g. there are 2 oxygen sensors):

The ignition diagram depicts a [coil+ distributor] connected to the Igniter, which sends IGF to and receives IGT from the ECU. If we look closer at the [coil+ distributor] we see that it mentions I3 and I4. Does it mean two [coil+ distributor]?

Then If we look P29; which mentions two [coil+ distributor], I3 and I4, to see where they are, we see I3 at a usual place against the engine, and I4 on the firewall next to the igniter.

I don't get it... Any idea?

 

I'm going back three or four years now but I also seem to recall when it happened the engine light lit up on the dash

 

A 188-page wiring diagram for the 1996-1997 Rav4 is attached here and there on this forum, by the name of "1996Rav4EWD.pdf" and other names. Another wiring diagram, 75 pages long and for the 1998-2000 Rav4, is attached here and there as well. I have used both a lot. They have been reliable for North American Rav4.1s.

The two wiring diagrams have some significant differences. The differences reflect what many in the U. S. call the first generation Rav4's "face-lift." The face-lifted Rav4's began distribution around late 1997.

On pdf page 28 of the 1996Rav4EWD.pdf diagram, I see the I3 and I4 both labeled "ignition coil and distributor." But on the 1996-1997, the reality is that these are two separate parts having different functions. One part is the distributor. One part is the ignition coil. One can go to a parts store and buy these separately. I do not know why the service manual wiring diagram depicts these parts this way. The Engine section might help you answer your questions.

I do not have a 1996-1997, so I cannot confirm if the ignition coil is mounted on the firewall near the igniter.

The 1998-2000 Rav4 wiring diagram shows an "ignition coil and igniter #1" and an "ignition coil and igniter #2." As noted above, there is no distributor. The "ignition coil and igniter #1" is sold as a single, integrated part, which many call a "coil pack." Same for #2.

 

The 1998-2000 Rav4 wiring diagram shows an "ignition coil and igniter #1" and an "ignition coil and igniter #2." As noted above, there is no distributor. The "ignition coil and igniter #1" is sold as a single, integrated part, which many call a "coil pack." Same for #2.

When one pack failed on my 2000 while I was driving, the other two cylinders kept running. Fortunately I was only a few miles from home, and limped there. Ran terrible, though.

The mounting screws on the coil-packs are harder than they should be to remove/install, so plan some extra time.