Starts but won't stay running?

Tiny
GORDHART
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 TOYOTA RAV4
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 59,000 MILES
This car keeps having a drained battery. As well as a lot of electrical issues. Lately after the battery was dead I tried to boost it but it would only turn over and run for as long as I had the key in the start positions then die as soon as I let it go. I have checked every fuse, 3-5 times, all good as far as I can find. Tried switching out the dead battery for a different one, didn't help. Any ideas?
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2015 AT 3:17 PM

65 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Have battery checked for condition including load test then try resetting security system. Then have it checked for a parasitic draw.
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Sunday, October 4th, 2015 AT 8:30 AM
Tiny
GORDHART
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
How do I reset security system?
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Sunday, October 4th, 2015 AT 10:59 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Look online or in manual if you have one
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Sunday, October 4th, 2015 AT 11:36 AM
Tiny
MATTHEWAARONREYES
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 TOYOTA RAV4
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 25,000 MILES
Car started to die out. We jumped it and tried to rev the gas. The rpm won't go past 1. Very low power. I forget the code that comes on but what it means is to take it to the dealer. After turning off car it dies out again.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,920 POSTS
Is the vehicle still under warranty? Also, I need to know what the code was they found. If it is emission related, it has a minimum of 5 years 50K miles.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GREYS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 TOYOTA RAV4
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 90,000 MILES
The car stalls and sometimes the revs drop down to 300 then go up to 1200 then rest at normal 800. When driving you feel the car jerk like holding back and the managment light flickers, these problems are all intermitent and have been gradually getting worse. I have changed spark plugs, air mass flow sensor, all four oxygen /fuel sensors. Ihave cleaned throttle body and idle control valve. Any advice would be much appreciated. Someone has told me to change the idle control valve, would this help with the holding back? Thanks
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Lets stat by getting the codes this guide will help.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VICTOR MANOSALVAS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hey Grays. I figured out what the problem was. I have a 2003 rav 4 and it starts but shuts off after 20 seconds. I l have replaced everything you've mentioned too and more. I had to get a used PCM to fix it.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CALZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 TOYOTA RAV4
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
WHEN ENGINE IS NORMAL RUNNING TEMPERATURE ENGINE SHUTS OF BY ITSELF
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hook up a fuel pressure gauge and monitor the pressure it will show up if its the fuel pump-If not start checking the ignition system components one by one-
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
1CDSMITH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 TOYOTA RAV4
  • 134,000 MILES
Hi, my daughter has a Toyota Rav4 that when she is driving on the highway her RPM's rev up and the car dies with hardly enough time to get off the highway. The Toyota dealer put a new computer in for $1000.00 and then she drove it for a week and the it happened again. They are saying she needs a new transmission for $4000.00 but we want a second opinion.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Scan for codes and check fuel pressure first. Then have a trans guy take a look at it. You might check your trans fluid level to make sure it is fiull and not brown or black. If it's brown or black then just have trans rebuilt.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SLARS019
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 TOYOTA RAV4
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 156,000 MILES
At stoplights when the car remains idle for awhile, I really have to lean on the accelerator to get the car to go, and after "revving" for a few seconds the car will lurch forward. After I've got the car going sometimes it'll do the same thing while I am trying to accelerate in the middle of driving, when the car is not idle. And sometimes my car trip will go by smoothly without any stalling. I was just wondering if you could narrow down the possibilities of what could be wrong before I take it in to a mechanic. Thanks!
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,920 POSTS
Is the check engine light coming on? Have you checked for engine vacuum leaks as well as the idle air control valve? As far as when you are driving, can you explain what is happening?
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TIMMER426
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 TOYOTA RAV4
  • 4 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Start up every time then stalls in about 5 seconds
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Clean out the idle air control valve and see what happens if it continues-check the fuel pressure to rule the fuel filter and fuel pump
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LMGLMG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 TOYOTA RAV4
My 99 toyota Rav4, with 110,000 miles, and v4 engine, has been shaking when I start the car. It feels like a little tremble. When I try to shift from park to drive it will sometimes stall. I also notice my gas mileage is decreasing. What could my problem be? Thanks
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARBOY
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
You may have a misfiring cylinder which could be caused by bad spark plug wire, plug, or intake air leak. Is the check engine light glowing? Reading the codes may move this from a general answer to a more specific one.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BIGGUY544
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 TOYOTA RAV4
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 95,000 MILES
I bought a used 99 Rav4 a few months ago and it ran fine for about a month or 6 weeks then the engine started cutting out when going up a hill or when you quickly accelerate. So I replaced the fuel filter and put some gas treatment in the tank because the car had been sitting for a few months before I bought it I figure it had dirt in the fuel. This didn't seem to help at all so I put in new plugs and wires. Still didn't help much so I had a friend check for any codes in the computer and it shows none. I've been told maybe it could be the coil pak or the fuel pump but I hate to keep buying parts on a maybe do you have any ideas?
Thanks
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the fuel pressure -this will determine if there's a problem with the pressure regulator and fuel pump-

Also inspect and test the throttle position/mass airflow sensors and check for exhaust restriction
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 11:45 AM (Merged)

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