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Toyota RAV4 Diagnosis and Fix You Can Do

Are you seeing multiple check engine light warnings on your dash display? Before going to a mechanic, here is a good lesson on how to diagnose on your own. Plus, why this is so important this fall season.
Easy Toyota RAV4 Check Engine Warning Diagnosis

Only some can enroll in an automotive class or have the time to devour multiple repair manuals on how cars work and how to do repairs successfully. There is just too much to learn for most of us, who barely have the time to meet our daily needs and demands, let alone add "mechanic" to our resumes.

However, this does not imply that you should roll over and play dead whenever a problem with your car develops as you turn your vehicle over to a mechanic and wait for what seems like forever to get your car back.

In fact, sometimes car problems are right there in front of your nose. A little know-how can either solve the problem or at least make sure whoever is working on your car is on the right repair track and not just trying to pad your repair bill.

Toyota Maintenance YouTube Channel to the Rescue

That is the between-the-lines message behind a recent Toyota Maintenance YouTube channel episode where the host, Peter, faces a 2009 Toyota RAV4 with a customer complaint of check engine and wheel slippage indicator warning lights on his dash display.

This video's value is that one of the best ways to learn how to do anything is to watch someone who knows what they are doing, do it. Plus, you can learn a little something more about your Toyota RAV4.

Related article: Common Problem on Toyota RAV4 Many Owners Fix Incorrectly

First Things First

The added value of one of Peter's videos is that he often tackles a repair with some first-things-first instruction that often can lead you to correctly diagnose a problem with your car that is right under your nose. In today's case, it was an obvious rodent problem ( a common cause of engine problems during the fall and winter seasons) and a loose hose in the air/fuel system that was causing the engine to run too lean and cause a check engine light warning.

Follow along with the host as he demonstrates some basic automotive detective work you can apply to your vehicle that you should do yourself before turning your car over to a mechanic.

In the video, you will learn:

  • Why just popping open the hood and looking carefully can explain a lot.
  • Where to find the OBD port for plugging in a scan tool just to see what kind of codes are indicating possible problem sources.
  • Two common engine codes and what they mean or indicate.
  • What scan tool the host used on this model.
  • About a common problem with the coolant system in this model of RAV4.
  • Why the check engine light came on and how it likely happened.

Toyota Check Engine Light, 4WD, Slip Lights On

 

Additional Useful Information Related to the Video

  1. While the host did not specifically address this―and in case you do not know―when a check engine light appears on the dash and you plug in an OBD I/II scan tool, you will sometimes see P-codes that do not necessarily mean a problem referenced by the code is actually there. However, once the actual problem is resolved, those pesky extra P-codes often disappear as well. This is why some techs who do not learn proper automotive diagnostics and typically rely on what the scan tool says, run into problems and fire the parts cannon at a vehicle hoping something will stick and fix the problem. In other words, a scan tool is a tool and not an infallible answer machine. Presumably, the host used this older scan tool because it was designed for this era of cars, rather than using the modern (and much more expensive) scan tool he sometimes demonstrates on Toyota vehicles.
  2. The host used a Craftsman model #20899 scan tool, a basic and affordable model from the mid-2000’s. If you are new to scan tools and own an older RAV4 model, you can find these for a decent price. They are a good introduction to using one on your car. Just be aware, however, that this model no longer has updates, and you will need an older computer to use the software to link to the Internet.

Here is a useful video demonstrating the Craftsman model #20899 in use as a diagnostic tool:

Craftsman 20899 Scan Tool Review. (Innova 3140)

 

2009 RAV4 Common Coolant Problem

As mentioned by the host, the 2009 RAV4 was known for a cracking plastic part in the coolant system. Here is a useful video showing the problem in one owner's RAV4 and how it was fixed just in case you have an aging RAV4 (or looking to buy an older model RAV4) that will develop this problem you can repair yourself.

DIY How to Fix and Replace Radiator Hose Coolant Leak Toyota 2009 RAV4

 

For additional articles related to the Toyota RAV4, here are a few for your consideration:

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWritesfor daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

Image source: Deposit Photos

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