Toyota Rav4 P2187:  Bank 1 A/F Mixture Too Lean”

P2187 is a DTC code that can occur in the Toyota Rav4.  It indicates the air fuel mixture is too lean at idle. The technical definition for P2187 “System Too Lean at Idle: Bank 1”.  The code is thrown after your Rav4’s oxygen sensor on Bank 1 (usually sensor 1) has detected that the air … Read more

Toyota Rav4 Overheating While Idle: Causes + Fix

There are a few reasons why your Toyota Rav4 would be overheating when idling.  The most common ones include a bad thermostat, water pump, electric fans, and low coolant level.  This guide is intended to help you find the cause of this overheating in the most efficient way possible.  So, let’s start with what’s easy … Read more

Toyota Rav4:  P0068 MAP/MAF Throttle Position Correlation

P0068 in the Toyota Rav4 is a generic OBD II code.  In layman’s terms, it means that the MAP (manifold absolute pressure) and/or MAF (mass airflow sensor) are providing the Rav4’s computer contradicting data compared to what it should be in relation to the throttle position sensor. The throttle position sensor tells the computer how … Read more

Toyota Rav4: Engine Smoking Causes + Diagnosis

A smoking engine is a serious thing.  If your Toyota Rav4’s engine has smoke coming from it, it needs to be addressed right away.  It can be caused by quite a few different problems, none of which should be ignored. The most common reasons why your Rav4’s engine would smoke include overheating, burning oil, or … Read more

Toyota Rav4 Hesitating to Start (5 Most Common Reasons)

While it may not leave you stranded, a vehicle that hesitates to start can be very concerning. There are a few reasons why your Toyota Rav4 may not be starting, such as a bad starter, a bad battery, bad alternator, and more.   Toyota Rav4 Hesitates to Start: Causes Here are some of the most … Read more

Toyota Rav4:  Bad Sway Bar Links (Common Symptoms)

Sway bar links are responsible for connecting your Toyota Rav4’s sway bar to the chassis.  The job of a sway bar is to eliminate body roll by helping the tires keep better contact with the road, which improves the handling characteristics of your Rav4.  If you have a bad sway bar link, your vehicle will … Read more

Toyota Rav4 Shuts Down While Driving (Common Causes)

If your Toyota Rav4 is shutting down while driving, it’s a real safety hazard.  Vehicles are a lot harder to control without power brakes or steering. Below is a list of the most common reasons your Rav4 would randomly die while driving.  Before looking at anything, is the check engine light on?  If it is, … Read more

Toyota Rav4:  Brake Lights Not Working Diagnosis

Brake lights are one of the most critical safety features that your Toyota Rav4 has.  They let other drivers know when you are slowing down, and that they need to slow down too.  If your brake lights aren’t working, you’re way more likely to get rear ended than normal.  The good news is that troubleshooting … Read more

Toyota Rav4: What’s Causing That Rotten Egg Smell?

One of the most undervalued diagnostic tools is the human nose.  There’s a lot our nose can tell us about a vehicle with a few quick sniffs.  If you happen to smell a rotten egg smell coming from your Toyota Rav4, it is certainly a cause for concern.  It is most commonly associated with a … Read more

Toyota Rav4 Dies After Starting Diagnosis

It can be very disconcerting if your Toyota Rav4 is starting and then dies.  It is most likely caused by some type of issue with the electrical or fuel system.  But, there can be other causes as well. Your Rav4’s engine needs 3 things constantly and in the proper proportion to keep running. Air Fuel … Read more