rav 4 malfunction light come on

[pinkcowprint]

ok,i am a woman,i have a rav 4,(02),it has done 60,000 miles and the malfunction light has come up on the dashboard.looks like a little engine light.the manual only tells me that obviously there is a malfunction but how am i supposed to know what??it runs fine and has just passed its mot.will i have to take it to a toyota garage and get ripped off or will any normal garage be able to help me?thanks

[oldmaggie]

I have had various makes of car now own a Toyota and find that my main Toyota garage charges are very reasonable and on a par with other garages and they use genuine Toyota parts.

[Gazza61]

On some Japanese 4x4's (Isuzu Trooper for eg) they are set up for a warning light to appear automatically on the dashboard when the mileage passes the limit for the cambelt to be replaced. I think it's 60,000 on the Isuzu's and it may be the same on the Toyota. Your owner manual may have a section that tells you if your Rav 4 has a similar warning system.

[Nkakamasembe]

I recommend you start the diagnosis wth a Toyota garage.
If for instance you get fault codes P0420 or P0430 REQUEST for repair estimate. Should they include parts such as a catalytic convertor and or oxygen sensor you could be up for a warranty claim based on Toyota Service Buttetin of May 2005 .

[Hymie]

Anyone who owns a post 2000 vehicle should have one of these (or some thing similar), unless you know how to interrogate your vehicles display to get it to show the fault codes:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk...CI%26otn%3D2%26ps%3D6

You can buy cheaper versions – but if I did not own one already, this is the unit I would buy.

According to Darren, it will pay for itself after 2 diagnostic checks. Most will allow you to clear fault codes – should they return, you can be fairly sure you have a problem. You will also know that any garage is not telling porkies.

The diagnostic scanners are user friendly – being a girly should not put you off buying one. Check out where the OBD port is on your vehicle, normally they are located under the dash and look a bit like a TV Scart socket.

[pinkcowprint]

thanks guys!getting fault codes etc sounds too complicated i haven't got a clue what your on about!haah!
i didn't mean normal garages wouldn't rip me off but i always thought the main (toyota)garages would be more expensive.i will get it booked in with my local garage for diagnostic thingy and will let you know!