Toyota RAV4 ECM repair FAQ
What do you do? Do you reprogram or repair the ECM?
Both. We repair the circuit of the ECM and then reprogram the ECM. A reprogramming alone will not fix the transmission problem. The reprogramming is done to the transmission adaptation tables, which are located in a memory chip in the ECM's circuit. The repair process includes replacing any damaged electronic part and reconditioning of the circuit, to avoid this from happening ever again.
May I have a copy of the bulleting distributed by Toyota about this?
Is it hard to remove the ECM from the vehicle? Is it a mechanic needed for the job?
Not really. It is a matter of removing several bolts. For doing so, a short Phillips screwdriver and 10mm socket head wrench will be needed. Other than that, you will need to disengage the glove compartment (easy) and disconnect the 4 plastic connectors attached to the ECM, by simply pushing a clip on each connector and pulling it out.
However, because of the small area where it is installed, it might be somewhat difficult to handle and remove from its place. If you are doing it yourself, take extreme caution not to cut yourself with any sharp edges around the area.
My ECM is not on the list shown. May I send it to you?
If it is from a 2001, 2002 or 2003 Toyota RAV4 with automatic transmission, either 4x2 or 4x4, yes, we will fix it. There are more ECM types affected than the ones listed on our page.
We have serviced units with the same problem, coming from North America, Canada, Australia, Africa, South and Central America, Europe and Asia and the Caribbean. All units serviced are for the 1AZ-FE engine, but some units serviced are for the 1AZ-FSE stratified direct injection engines.
Will my RAV4 pass the smog test (emissions test) when doing inspection of my RAV4 if I get this service?
Short answer, YES. Long answer, if it passed the emission tests before the problem showed up, it will then pass the test after the service. This service will not alter in any way the engine's combustion parameters, mixtures, performance or factory specifications at all. We have received reports of the vehicle performing better than before, but it is because of the transmission shifting properly now. It is the other way, if the ECM issue caused somehow to not pass the test, then after repaired it will pass without a problem.
What are the engine specifications of these RAV4 you are servicing their ECMs
Engine is 4 cylinder, 2.0L, either the 1AZ-FE or 1AZ-FSE Toyota engines.
Do I need to program or do anything else that require a trip to the dealer in order to use my repaired ECM?
No, not at all. Your ECM will be "plug and play" after you receive it back. That means that you just reinstall it in your RAV4 and it will be ready to use. No programming, no trips to the dealer and no towing your RAV4 to the mechanic will be needed at all. You will start enjoying your new-again RAV4 as soon as the ECM is serviced and reinstalled.
People tell me that these ECMs will lock once serviced and will need to go to the dealer so they can fix that. Is it true?
Short answer, NOT with us. Detailed answer, Yes, it might happen if the ECM has the immobilizer system enabled and the technician does not do the job properly or does not know how to handle it or the programming (other shop).
We always prepare our customers' ECMs so they are ready to start the engine as usual when installed and can be used right away. If your ECM has the immobilizer system enabled, it is not a problem for us. We will know just by reading the memory of the ECM and will program it accordingly so it works with your keys and only with your keys.
You charge an amount for the job, plus shipping. How does shipping work?
The shipping fee we charge is for covering the return shipment. That fee will pay the shipping service used when we return the repaired ECM to you.
I have more than one ECM. Do you offer combined shipping or any other discount?
Yes, we will ship up to 2 ECMs in the same box for the shipping charge of one, if shipped Internationally (outside of the USA). If shipped in the USA, we will ship up to 3 ECMs in the same box for the shipping charge of one. About the job charge, if you send 2 ECMs at the same time to be repaired, we will take off 20% ($50.00 out of $250.00) to the second ECM, if it is not in special price offer and the 2 ECMs are sent together.
What warranty do you offer and what does it cover?
We include a one year warranty. It covers the repair job itself. In the rarest occasion that your ECM fails with the same symptoms (have not happened yet), we will take care of it and if it is the same problem we worked on, we will solve it at no cost. We will even cover shipping charges.
"The same problem" in the above statement means that the circuit has the same part or parts damaged again and it was not an external cause. "External cause" is defined as a short circuit in the vehicle's circuitry, or if the ECM was used in the wrong car model, or if the ECM fell into the water or any other liquid, or if the ECM fell down from a considerable distance to a hard surface, where "considerable" in the previous statement means "enough to harm the circuit", or if the ECM was smashed, or any other case beyond our control and responsibility with this service.
How much time will this service take?
We generally take only one business day. On high workload days, we might take up to 2 business days. The rest of the time it will take, will be shipping transit time, which will generally be 2 to 5 business days if mailed inside the United States, US Territories and US Protectorates, and 6 to 10 business days if shipped to international destinations (outside USA) via FedEx.
How does this service work? Do you send an ECM after I pay?
No. Right after you order the service, we will be awaiting for your ECM to arrive, so it can be repaired, reprogrammed and tested and then shipped back to you. Payment can be done either before or after the repair is performed, but always before shipping it back to you. That said, you may even send your ECM before acquiring or paying the service, so some time is gained.
Is the ECM the same as ECU?
Yes, it refers to the same automotive part. ECM stands for Engine Control Module and ECU stands for Engine Control Unit, but refers to the same device.
If the ECU is "Engine Control Unit", why should I send it if the problem is not with the engine, but with the transmission?
In the case of the automatic 2001-2003 Toyota RAV4 models, the ECM controls both, the engine and the transmission. In other automatic car models and brands, there are two separated units, one for each part. The engine unit would be the ECM or ECU and the transmission unit would be the TCM or TCU.
Do you offer this service to XXX country?
Yes, we repair RAV4 ECMs from all around the world. All Countries are welcome.
How should I pack my ECM when shipping it to you?
Just send it in a small box, wrapped with some paper, plastic wrap or any packing material of your choice (newspaper is fine). The construction of this ECM is pretty tough and withstand moderate impacts. So far, all incoming ECUs have arrived OK, even those that came packed in a plain bag.
My RAV4 has the immobilizer system. Can you still service my ECM?
Sure! You will have no problems with the immobilizer or with starting the engine with your keys (transponder keys). It will be ready to use as soon as you receive it.
I depend a lot of my RAV4. What could happen if I keep using it like that?
Using your RAV4 with this issue may cause the transmission to have an internal failure and then, the ECM and the transmission will both need service. There are occasions, where the failure in the ECM makes the transmission to start in third gear, instead of first gear. In that moment, you will feel your RAV4 like if it is very heavy, hard to start moving from zero (at launch) and the RPMs go up and still it is slow moving. It is in that moment when the clutches and other parts inside the transmission start to burn and fail.
If you have ever ride a multi-speed bicycle, let's say 15 speeds, it would be like starting from zero in around 13th speed. The bicycle have no clutches, but you will feel the burning in your muscles in no time.
Is it really the ECM and not the transmission? It slips and jolts and feels like the transmission is really broken!
Yes. Remember that the ECM controls your RAV4's automatic transmission electronically, by doing the shifting through solenoids. These solenoids are electromechanical parts that are incorporated in the transmission body and do the physical shifting (mechanical movement) by receiving electrical pulses sent from the ECM. When the ECM is failing, it sends erratic pulses to those solenoids and make it so annoying that makes us feel that the problem is the transmission, but it is not.
However, in the unfortunate event that the transmission has been abused by been forced with this ECM failure, you will have a combination of both, the ECM and the transmission damaged. If your transmission is damaged, then your ECM is damaged. Remember that before the transmission suffers any internal failure, all begins with a faulty ECM and not instead.
Is there a chance that the transmission could be damaged besides the ECM?
Yes. Please see the answer of the prior question above. Our experience is that in a 98% of the cases, it is only the ECM. It is very important that once the ECM failure is present, you stop using your RAV4 and either replace or repair the ECM.
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