- #166 of 768
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Re: Is this the "droning" sound you guys speak of? [wolfx]
by silveravin
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Jul 31, 2006 (3:23 pm)
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Replying to: wolfx (Jul 21, 2006 10:03 am)
the sound that I hear is faint most of the time and only noticeable when the car is at a standstill, transmission in park or drive. I have heard it, barely, while driving at low speeds, but the sound is drowned out by the road noise. Also air conditioning does not effect it one way or the other. One night while running an errand it was louder and definitely audible to the point of annoying and while driving, but it has since quieted to the normal low hum, only audible about half the time I start the car...I think usually when it's cool outside.
I called the Toyota dealer and he said to wait until it was more prevalent b/c the mechanic needs to diagnose it and reproduce it while it's happening. He didn't know of any specifics about this issue and said it may be a belt that needs lube or tightening. Also said it shouldn't be an issue other than inconvenience b/c it'd be under warranty. It doesn't seem to have an effect on performance.
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- #167 of 768
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Re: Is this the "droning" sound you guys speak of? [wolfx]
by ihammer
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Jul 31, 2006 (9:25 pm)
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Replying to: wolfx (Jul 21, 2006 10:03 am)
Ihave about 5,000 miles on my 2006 4x2 6cyl RAV4 and the droning noise happens everytime I drive the car - usually not when I start the car for the first time on any given day. It usually starts after I've been driving for awhile. It mostly is heard at lower speeds, but I have heard it driving on the freeway even with the radio on. If I leave home in the morning and drive 40 miles to work, drop my things at the office and then go to move my car to the parking garage the drone usually starts up immediately after turning the engine on to go to the garage. When I get to the garage and put it into reverse to back into a space the drone goes higher in pitch/tone and if I shift back into park the drone goes lower in tone/pitch. I duplicated that drone pitch change 8 -10 times sitting in the parking garage this morning just shifting back and forth from park to reverse with the car idling and the handbrake on. Very disturbing to say the least. So it seems to have gotten worse over time even though it started shortly after I got the car. I have had it at the dealer and they could not figure it out even though the mechanic could hear it and duplicate it. Now Toyota customer service is involved and some Toyota district service tech is supposed to call me to set up an appointment to check it out. The woman who returned my call from customer service mentioned something about a fuel pump/fuel line - probably because I had given the mechanic at the dealer a copy of ofelia's email in which she mentioned that her fuelline had been replaced due to the droning noise. I told Toyota customer service that I didn't want them experimenting with my car - that I wanted them to know what the problem and fix was before they do anything to my car as I don't want to have to go back more than once. I also told them that if they replace a part I want to be sure that the new part is not from the same bad batch that caused the drone problem to begin with. I worry that I may be in for a long drawn out ordeal since it has been a month and a half since I first took the car to the dealer. And I wonder if whatever is doing the droning is causing other parts to wear out.
Besides the drone, there is a piece on the dashboard (plastic around the emergency flasher button) which rattles and the carpet behind the driver's seat springs back up when you push on it. Also,it would be nice if Toyota would design an insert for the poorly designed cupholders so that cups don't flop around every time you go around a corner or start up quickly. My 2004 RAV4 had great cupholders and was perfect - sorry I traded it in now, but I wanted side curtain and side airbags and more power. This 2006 is a blast to drive - handling and acceleration wise, but if I had known about the problems I have encountered I would not have given my 2004 up.
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- #168 of 768
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Re: Is this the "droning" sound you guys speak of? [ihammer]
by quilldriver
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Aug 01, 2006 (5:49 am)
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Replying to: ihammer (Jul 31, 2006 9:25 pm)
I posted an e-mail here a couple of weeks ago to say I am a potential 2006 Rav4 buyer but was waiting for this "droaning" noise problem to be resolved by Toyota. I also wrote to Toyota HQ about it. Yesterday (July 31) I received their reply, which said: "As of today's date, Toyota does not have a SSC (Special Service Campaign) regarding a 'droaning' noise."
It sounds serious enough, based on all of your combined comments, and as ihammer just said, I'd be concerned about possible impact on other parts of the engine. But even if this is a harmless (albeit annoying) noise, it flies in the face of Toyota's trademark reputation for a smooth, quiet ride. I would think they'd want to protect this reputation by addressing this issue head-on...never mind this is one of their hottest selling vehicles. As for my choice, I'm particularly sensitive to noise, so I won't be buying one unless they fix it.
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- #169 of 768
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Fume Cannister Defect
by edinstk
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Aug 01, 2006 (3:54 pm)
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New to this forum, but want to inform as many owners of a major defect that has a simple solution. An unprotected fume canister located underneath the vehicle on the driver's side has been documented as having been torn off after the vehicle was driven  50mph over a 1/2 inch puddle. You can easily see the black canister (square 5 inch x 5 inches with several hoses connected to it) without jacking up the vehicle. The US version does not have the protective plate. If the canister is torn off, there is a hazard of fire and mechanical damage if the vehicle is continued to be driven. Replacement canisters are expensive and not readily available. (3 week wait) Some owners have documented this problem with NHTS so far Toyota US has not made any movement to correct this problem nor do they consider this a warranty issue. Several owners have fabricated a protective shield as a protective measure. RAV4 world has a forum topic that discusses this problem and has pictures. Strongly recommend that if you or a friend have the skills, that you fabricate a simple 2 bolt shield.
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- #171 of 768
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Re: AC Efficiency [jarek]
by dalec
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Aug 03, 2006 (5:54 pm)
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Replying to: jarek (Jun 29, 2006 7:58 am)
Before buying my 2006 RAV4 2.4L (has 250 miles on it)I test drove a 2006 RAV 4 V-6 that had a "frigid" AC - Very disappointed in my ac- does not blow cold. (Is it the engine that makes the difference?) Took it back to dealership, and they state that nothing is wrong, etc. My '98 RAV4 is much colder than my new RAV. Good thing that I am usually the one person in the vehicle - all others would not be too cool, especially in back seat. Any suggestions?
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- #172 of 768
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Re: AC Efficiency [dalec]
by jaxs1
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Aug 03, 2006 (6:22 pm)
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Replying to: dalec (Aug 03, 2006 5:54 pm)
It may the the engines. The V6 might have a bigger A/C unit, but maybe the weather conditions just were not the same when you used the A/C.
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- #173 of 768
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Re: AC Efficiency [dalec]
by wwest
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Aug 03, 2006 (7:56 pm)
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Replying to: dalec (Aug 03, 2006 5:54 pm)
Of fairly recent times Toyota has discontinued the use of the engine cooling hot water shutoff valve to block the flow of heat to the AC system. If you use the max cool position and then the blower manually to regulate your comfort level is the best policy to get the most efficient cooling.
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- #174 of 768
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Re: Door Dings - No Rub Strips!
by impsrule
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Aug 04, 2006 (10:33 am)
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Replying to: jimd4 (Jul 22, 2006 2:14 am)
Overall, I love my new 2006 Rav 4 Limited. It seems solidly built, it's as fast as they claim with the V-6, I like the added length. However... although I usually park in the middle of the parking lot (with any car I drive) in order to avoid door dings, I was unable to do so recenly. I returned to my car with a SEVERE door ding  , and it hit me: unlike RAV4's of year's past (with the dart-shaped body cladding to protect it), our new Rav4's have NO RUB STRIP at all to protect against door dings. I've checked with the dealer and written the Toyota website, but it seems there's no plan for a door rub-strip kit. It just seems odd to me...  Has anyone else gotten a supermarket 'hit' yet?
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- #175 of 768
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Re: Fume Cannister Defect [edinstk]
by jimdrew
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Aug 04, 2006 (5:18 pm)
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Replying to: edinstk (Aug 01, 2006 3:54 pm)
Why should the new owners of a Toyota have fabricate anything? C'mon, these cars aren't exactly cheap....this is a definate safety issue....I for one will send a note to Toyota and complain...I have grandkids and sure don't want them to be riding in a potentially dangerouse automobile.
Jimmy Drew
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