THE IDLE AIR CONTROL (IAC) VALVE CONTROLS THE IDLE SPEED BY METERING AIR AROUND THE THROTTLE PLATE, UNDER CONTROL OF THE ENGINE COMPUTER. THE IAC VALVE ON MY VEHICLE STICKS WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD, REQUIRING ME TO HOLD A SLIGHT THROTTLE PRESSURE TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING AFTER CRANKING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AS I WAS EASING THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AT IDLE, THE IAC VALVE UNSTUCK AND CAUSED THE CAR TO SURGE AHEAD. THIS IS VERY ABRUPT AND DISCONCERTING, BUT IT HAS NOT (YET) CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE A TOYOTA FACTORY SHOP MANUAL, AND I MADE THE RESISTANCE AND VOLTAGE CHECKS CALLED OUT FOR THE IAC VALVE; ALL WERE SATISFACTORY. SINCE THE VALVE'S COILS APPEAR TO BE OKAY, AND THE ENGINE COMPUTER'S COMMANDS APPEAR TO BE OKAY, I CONCLUDE THAT THE IAC VALVE SIMPLY STICKS WHEN IT IS COLD. THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY WITH A WARM ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, AND IT NOW OCCURS AT ALMOST EVERY MORNING START. I COMMUTE ABOUT 25 MILES PER DAY. *AK
2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. NO POWER AND THEN A SURGE CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK. HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP INTO FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. THE ECM IS DEFECTIVE AND TOYOTA WAS FORCED TO ADDRESS THIS AFTER CLASS ACTION SUIT SEE RAV4ECMSETTLEMENT.COM, ALTHOUGH THIS RESULTED IN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY RATHER THAN A RECALL. MY CAR IS 4 MONTHS PASSED THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY ALTHOUGH IT HAS LOW MILEAGE. THE FAULTY ECM CAN CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND UNFAIR SITUATION FOR THOUSANDS OF OWNERS. TOYOTA DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF THIS ISSUE. *TR
