08 rav4 stalling when put into p/n

I just installed a remote car starter and am afraid I messed something up with the gear shifter. Here's what happens with my 2008 Rav4 Sport: -Car is in park, starts fine. However, backlights for dashboard (speedometer, etc) do not come on. -Car put into reverse, backlights for dashboard come on and reverse normally. -Car put into neutral, stall, dashboard lights go out. -Car starts in neutral the same way it starts in park (above). When put into Drive or Reverse, works normally. However, when put back into park or neutral, stall and blackout again. I have spent 3 days trying to figure this out and I am exhausted. Does anyone have any ideas Anything is really appreciated.

If you used any relays, disconnect the coil of the relays one at a time till you find the one that is causing the stalling.

Where did you connect your ignition wires to on the starter? Make sure you take them directly at the actual ignition. If I remember correctly, there are similarly colored wires in the main harness that goes down that are a much smaller gauge and can cause numerous problems if you connect the wrong ones. Also, where did you ground the unit? Did you forget to reconnect a factory ground? Also check through every fuse with a DMM... not just visually.Kenny

Owner / Technician

KKD Garage LLC

Albany, NY 12205

offroadzj wrote: Where did you connect your ignition wires to on the starter? Make sure you take them directly at the actual ignition. If I remember correctly, there are similarly colored wires in the main harness that goes down that are a much smaller gauge and can cause numerous problems if you connect the wrong ones. Also, where did you ground the unit? Did you forget to reconnect a factory ground? Also check through every fuse with a DMM... not just visually.

I connected them directly at the ignition. The car remote starts just fine. Also, when I put it into drive or reverse (after a stall, of course), it drives normally also. Everything is grounded properly, it seems as though the ECU is getting the blackout signal whenever I put it into park and neutral -- which doesnt make sense because it lets me start the car in those positions...I will have to check fuses also..

I disconnected the basic remote starter ignition and starter wires and the car functions NORMALLY. meaning, I probably had the wrong wire connections.. My problem is that here are TWO ignition and TWO starter wires. Two of which are the same color but different thicknesses. I only have one wire on the install for a starter wire. Do I connect both?

yes and isolate with a relayKevin Gerry

Certified Electronics Technician

MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer

Classic Car Audio

since 1979

Finally folks, proof of why we always tell people to isolate multiple starters and ignition wires.

I must admit, I was one of the skeptics wondering what the true reason was behind isolating additional ignitions/accessories. Starters I ALWAYS used a relay, but I have done a few ignitions/accessories with just a jumper. Now I see why we do not do that... lolKenny

Owner / Technician

KKD Garage LLC

Albany, NY 12205