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Toyota RAV4 Battery and Electrical Problems

132 messages,  Last post on May 06, 2013 at 1:01 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, Engine, SUV

Messages Page 12 of 14

#110 of 132 More battery and electrical problems by rav4blahs

Aug 06, 2012 (6:29 pm)

Battery problems again! This battery is still under warranty, about a year old. After the last batch of problems, I always turn the lights off. This time I came back after a two week trip. The remote worked, the overhead light came on and nothing on start-up. Got it going with a jump start. Took the freeway home, at the first red light the electronics died. I shut off all the extra systems A/C and radio, and fortunately traffic started moving, so the car kept working until I got home. Turned it off, then tried to turn it back on to raise the window. Nothing, the panel was black. Next morning, I had dome lights and the a few panel lights.
 
Dealer said the clock ran it down, or the person jumping it fired the fuse and it wouldn't charge. The replaced the battery and the fuse for free. The other repair guy said its just the heat. Sorry, but if clocks and heat killed new batteries in two weeks, there would have been a major overhaul in the systems. I like the Rav4 for size and drive-ability, but I need a car I can trust.
 
I read the other posts, and gather there are ideas but nothing solid to go by. Dealers seem to rely only on the machine tests--would the electronics in the steering wheel show a problem if that is the drain?
 
Thanks!

#111 of 132 2007 Rav4 went dead on highway by edmundsdave77

Aug 06, 2012 (7:31 pm)

When my 2007 Rav4 was exactly 3 years old it went commpletely dead when driving on the interstate. No power, no radio, no lights no anything. I did manage to pull over and AAA towed me to the nearest Toyota dealership after hours. I left the vehicle there with a message regarding the problem and went to a hotel. When I returned the next day they had it fixed but were evasive about answering WHY this would have happened and what they did to repair it. They said they thought it was the battery and replaced the battery but then it wouldnt start so they "replaced some fuses". But unable to tell me what fuses, and there was no charge on the bill for fuses, just the battery, labor and $8.55 for 'shop supplies'. Total $248.83. Now I live in fear that this will happen again. Anyone have any insight?

#112 of 132 Re: 2007 Rav4 went dead on highway [edmundsdave77] by chopper_steve

Sep 11, 2012 (5:05 am)

Replying to: edmundsdave77 (Aug 06, 2012 7:31 pm)
Bought an 07 RAV4 (6cyl) new. Currently on the 4th battery, including the original Toyota at 60,000 miles. Orig Toyota battery lasted 18,000 mi and 2 yrs, 1st Diehard lasted 2 yrs, 2nd Diehard 1 yr. (good warrantee on Diehards allowed for lower cost replacement). Towed to dealer this time, when I tested battery, showed 12.6V. Successful jump, but wouldn't restart. Back to a Toyota battery. Live in Texas with extreme heat. Was told that kills them, but 4 batteries in 5 years is ridiculous. Other cars can go 3-4 years on Diehards. Something is up on this car.

#114 of 132 mystery electrical problem by 99rav

Sep 19, 2012 (10:14 am)

my 1999 rav4 is having some strange electrical issues. the gauge cluster has stopped working along with the turn signals i also cant use power locks or power windows and i am unable to shift my automatic transmission into drive. the head lights still work. any ideas what this could be?

#115 of 132 RAV 4 fuse/battery problems by ellen2012

Oct 15, 2012 (1:54 pm)

My RAV 4 is a 2005 model. I've only had it two years, but I've had many problems with batteries dying. So, new batteries, new alternator....and it seems to all be because of one of the twelve fuses found behind the ashtray down by the steering wheel (not the main fuse box). A fuse keeps blowing, this in turn stops relaying to the alternator which stops charging the battery. Eventually the juice runs out and the car dies. mechanics have all been wrong -- hence the new batteries, alternator. A few times I've realized something's blown -- usually the heater, but other times no clue until it's too late. So, the big question is....why does it keep blowing??? Ring any bells for anyone?

#116 of 132 2006 Toyota Rav 4 Fuse issue by rav4lorri

Oct 28, 2012 (2:43 pm)

I have a 2006 Toyota Rav 4 -- 4.2 L 4 cyl. . We often have to replace the fuses to get the accessory outlets to work... increasing the sizes of the fuses so they don't blow immediately.
We just had to replace the alternator (how did the original get a bent shaft and make so much noise?). Everything is charging properly but the former flashing battery light is now shining all the time. Some say belts, others fuses? Any suggestions?

#117 of 132 2010 RAV4 4x2 by ramseyp

Dec 19, 2012 (3:03 pm)

i tried to start the vehicle with no success. I can turn everything on with no sign of power issues. When i try to start the engine, all i get is a ticking sound and it even start to shake the whole car. The first time this happened i added gas, replaced the battery and nothing. left it alone for a few hour and it started. It had been running fine for about two months until is happened again, about 6 days ago. Has anyone else experience this problem and have any suggestions? Any Help?

#118 of 132 Re: mystery electrical problem [99rav] by nani4gbb

Jan 12, 2013 (10:11 pm)

Replying to: 99rav (Sep 19, 2012 10:14 am)
Hello, I just bought a used 99 RAV4 and it just did the same thing you described. I went to start it and the battery light flickered then all electric things inside went dead. No doorlocks, no windows, no tail lights, no radio, no turn signal, no wipers, no ac/ blower, etc. The engine was running fine and Ihad headlights. I has the fuses tested and no sign of problem there. Did you have any luck finding or fixing the problem?

#119 of 132 Re: 2010 RAV4 4x2 [ramseyp] by johngodlewski

Mar 16, 2013 (4:01 pm)

Replying to: ramseyp (Dec 19, 2012 3:03 pm)
2010 Rav4 -- I too recently experienced the same problem with my battery. It occurred at just under 61,000 km. All the Toyota dealer said was it was a defective battery and replaced it for free with a heavy duty Toyota battery. However, ever since I've been uneasy with my Toyota and now always thinking the battery may die again without notice since I've gotten no reason for the battery dying in the first place. Given this experience I'm not sure I'd want to buy another Rav4 when the dealer cannot explain why it hppened in the first place. I'm reading that many others have experienced the same issue with the battery. the first time in my life that I've experienced a car battery dying so early in its life. And what I've noticed since is that when I start the car and begin accelerating the lights dim momentarily (head lights, dashboard). The Toyota dealer cannot explain if this is normal or unusal. They're still discussing it and I'll be calling back for an up-date next week. Stay tuned.

Messages Page 12 of 14

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