For about two months, our 2002 Toyota RAV4 (37000 miles, automatic tran) has occasionally failed to start. It always turns over, but either does not start at all or starts for an instant and then dies. After failing to start (anywhere from 1-5 tries), it will usually start after either a short period of time or (sometimes, it seems) if we move or jiggle the shift knob. Much of the time it starts just fine, and there is no way to predict when it will not start.
We first took it to 2 different Toyota dealers for service. It stalled out once at each, but they were able to restart it and also unable to duplicate the problem again. The first Toyota place cleaned the throttle body and fuel injectors - this did not help. The second Toyota place were unable to find anything to fix because they could not duplicate the problem. In each case, nothing came up on the diagnostic computer.
Next we took the car to a mechanic, who switched the fuel pump (C/OPN) and EFI Main relays with 2 less-used relays and the problem seemed to disappear -- for about a month. Then, after a two-hour drive and shutting the engine off for maybe 10 mins - i.e., still warm - the problem recurred. At this point we switched the C/OPN and EFI Main relays and the car started right up. We then replaced the C/OPN and EFI Main relays with two new relays. The car started up OK for a week, then once again began intermittently not to start.
We purchased an extended warranty that would appear to cover this problem -- if we could figure out exactly what the problem is.
Would appreciate any feedback as to what is causing the problem, and what course of action we should take with Toyota service people and/or Toyota extended warranty people. Thanks.
We first took it to 2 different Toyota dealers for service. It stalled out once at each, but they were able to restart it and also unable to duplicate the problem again. The first Toyota place cleaned the throttle body and fuel injectors - this did not help. The second Toyota place were unable to find anything to fix because they could not duplicate the problem. In each case, nothing came up on the diagnostic computer.
Next we took the car to a mechanic, who switched the fuel pump (C/OPN) and EFI Main relays with 2 less-used relays and the problem seemed to disappear -- for about a month. Then, after a two-hour drive and shutting the engine off for maybe 10 mins - i.e., still warm - the problem recurred. At this point we switched the C/OPN and EFI Main relays and the car started right up. We then replaced the C/OPN and EFI Main relays with two new relays. The car started up OK for a week, then once again began intermittently not to start.
We purchased an extended warranty that would appear to cover this problem -- if we could figure out exactly what the problem is.
Would appreciate any feedback as to what is causing the problem, and what course of action we should take with Toyota service people and/or Toyota extended warranty people. Thanks.