Why is my second generation RAV4 gear selector faulty?
Why is my second generation RAV4 gear selector faulty?
What you need to know:
- Problem Hi Paul, I recently upgraded from first generation RAV4 to a second generation RAV4 but why does it have problems with the steering wheel, the gears are hard to engage, the engine vibrates a lot when you start and gear number three makes a loud noise when it engages. This vehicle is a 2002 model with 80,000 kms on the odometer and has a pretty appearence on the outside but seems sick on the inside. Mbabazi.
Hello Mbabazi, like some pre-used cars we buy, the 2002 RAV4 you bought may have had a poor maintenance record by its previous owner so you inherited a car with defects. The good news is they are repairable.
1) Hard steering is usually a fault with the steering hydraulic system. This may range from leaking steering fluid to a defective power steering pump. Occasionally the steering gearing (rack assembly) may be faulty. I would start by checking the steering fluid level, condition and the steering pump.
2) Your description of gear and clutch engagement quality suggests that your RAV4 has a manual transmission. A hard clutch operation will point towards a faulty clutch kit (clutch pressure, friction plate and release bearing).
As you may know a clutch system helps to disengage the engine power from the transmission during gear shifts. If the clutch kit fails or suffers extreme wear and tear you will experience hard gear shifts and occasionally noisy shifts like your gear number three does. (refer to complaint no.4). You will need to ask a mechanic to check the gear oil level and quality. An evaluation of the clutch kit, shifting forks and gear synchronizers is pertinent. Mbabazi, car appearances are sometimes deceptive. So you may want to consider having it inspected properly and a costing of required repairs availed to you. This will reinforce your decision to sell or not to sell depending on the cost of repair.
