98 Rav4 Starting Issues

[Messiah]

Hi everyone! My girlfriend has a 98 Rav4. It has a bit of a random problem when starting some times. The closest thing I can come to any sort of a patern is that it tends to happen more often after it rains or was just really humid out. The engine turns over just fine, and then the rpms drop and it sputters out and shuts off unless imediately put into gear and driven. It then proceeds to run fine after getting it up to 30 mph or so for about a quarter mile. If it stops before that, it tends to sputter out again and shut off.

It seems like it is having a fuel delivery problem of some sort to me. A garage thought it had to do with a temp/coolant sensor, and replaced it with no luck. They also say it could be an OS2 sensor.

Has any seen a problem like this, or have any advice.

Thanks.

[RNeil]

Trouble with rain or high humidity implies a high voltage ignition problem. Check the spark plug wires. Open the hood with the engine running in dim light. Look for sparks or corona on the spark plug wires or ignition coils.

[4DMR2t]

Clean out your throttle body inlet and IAC valve. They get clogged very easily. Common problem with 1st gen RAVs.