Tranny on 2007 Rav4 not downshifting

A few years ago, Toyota distributed a Technical Service Bulletin regarding a problem like this. The TSB sounds as if it fits your RAV4 exactly. The problem is this: it looks like something else, but it really isn’t. The symptoms you listed are classic transmission slippage. They indicate there could be a problem with the clutches and bands or clutches, bands and gears or the torque converter, clutches, bands and gears. Then again, the problem also looks like the transmission solenoids are failing, as well.

Issues like this, when something happens that is actually caused by something else can be confusing. If you think you are confused, your RAV4s Engine Control Computer (ECC) is as well. It is firing components when they should be fired and then acting normally.

What is happening is that the ECC is failing and has to be replaced. The failing ECC can cause the solenoids to act erratically. The solenoids fire erratically and can be damaged by the misfiring sequences.

Have your technician pull the error codes from the ECC. If you see P0750, P0753, P0755, P0758 and/or P1760, then you have a good idea that the ECC is failing and has to be replaced.

It may seem as if you can fix the problem by replacing the solenoids but they are the symptom, not the cause. The cause is the ECC.

Since the ECC is a key part of your car’s engine control system, you are looking at a $1,400 pricetag for its replacement. Granted, it is a hefty cost, but think about this, if you had to have your car’s transmission replaced by a rebuilt unit, you would be paying about $3,200 in total. The $1,400 is less than half, so it is a little better. Let me know what happens, if you would, I’d be interested.