Page 960 of 1354
IG0J3−02
− IGNITIONIGNITION SYSTEM
IG−1
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
IGNITION SYSTEM
ON−VEHICLE INSPECTION
NOTICE:
”Cold” and ”Hot” in these sentences express the tempera-
ture of the coils themselves. ”Cold” is from −10°C (14°F) to
50°C (122°F) and ”Hot” is from 50°C (122°F) to 100°C
(212°F).
1. INSPECT IGNITERS AND SPARK TEST
Check that the spark occurs.
(1) Disconnect the high−tension cord (from the ignition
coil) from the distributor cap.
(2) Hold the end approx. 12.5 mm (0.50 in.) from the
body ground.
(3) See if spark occurs while engine is being cranked.
NOTICE:
To prevent gasoline from being injected from injectors dur-
ing this test, crank the engine for no more than 5 − 10 se-
conds at time.
If the spark does not occur, perform the test as follows:
Page 961 of 1354

SPARK TEST
CHECK CONNECTION OF IGNITION COIL, IGNITER
AND DISTRIBUTOR CONNECTORS.
CHECK RESISTANCE OF HIGH−TENSION CORDS
TRY ANOTHER IGNITER Maximum resistance: 25 kΩ per cord (See step 2)
CHECK POWER SUPPLY TO IGNITION COIL AND
IGNITER
1. Turn ignition switch to ON.
2. Check that there is battery positive voltage at ignition coil
positive (+) terminal.
Check wiring between ECM, distributor
and igniter, and then try another ECM.
CHECK IGT SIGNAL FROM ECM
NO
BAD
OK
OK
OK
Connect securely.
Replace the cord(s).
Check wiring between ignition switch
to ignition coil and igniter.
BAD
BAD
BAD
(See page DI−100)
Cold Hot
0.36 − 0.55 Ω0.45 − 0.65 Ω CHECK RESISTANCE OF IGNITION COILOKReplace the ignition coil.
BAD Resistance: (See step 4)
Primary
Secondary
9.0 − 15.4 kΩ11.4 − 18.1 kΩ
CHECK RESISTANCE OF SIGNAL GENERATOR
Resistance: Cold HotOKReplace the distributor housing assembly.(PICKUP COIL)
(See step 5)
135 − 220 Ω175 − 255 Ω
CHECK RESISTANCE OF CRANKSHAFT POSITION
SENSOR
Resistance: Cold HotOK
Replace the crankshaft position sensor.
(See step 6)
985 − 1,600 Ω1,265 − 1,890 ΩBAD
BAD
OK
CHECK AIR GAP OF DISTRIBUTOR
Air gap: 0.2 − 0.4 mm (0.008 − 0.016 in.)Replace the distributor housing assembly.(See step 5)
BAD IG−2
− IGNITIONIGNITION SYSTEM
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
Page 962 of 1354

B11562
P17875
Ohmmeter
IG0147
Megger
Ground
N00917
− IGNITIONIGNITION SYSTEM
IG−3
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
2. INSPECT HIGH−TENSION CORDS
(a) Disconnect the high−tension cords from spark plug.
Disconnect the high−tension cords at the rubber boot. Do
not pull on the high−tension cords.
NOTICE:
Pulling on or bending the cords may damage the conductor
inside.
(b) Disconnect the high−tension cords from ignition coil.
(c) Disconnect the high−tension cords from distributor cap.
(d) Inspect the high−tension cord resistance.
Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance.
Maximum resistance: 25 kΩ per cord
If the resistance is greater than maximum, check the terminals.
If necessary, replace the high−tension cord.
(e) Reconnect the high−tension cords to distributor cap.
(f) Reconnect the high−tension cord to ignition coil.
(g) Reconnect the high−tension cords to spark plugs.
3. INSPECT SPARK PLUGS
NOTICE:
Never use a wire brush for cleaning.
Never attempt to adjust the electrode gap on a used
spark plug.
Spark plugs should be replaced every 100,000 km
(60,000 miles).
(a) Disconnect the high−tension cords from the spark plugs.
(b) Using a megger (insulation resistance meter), measure
the insulation resistance.
Standard correct insulation resistance:
10 MΩ or more
If the resistance is less than specified, proceed to step (d).
HINT:
If a megger is not available, the following simple method of in-
spection provides fairly accurate results.
Simple Method:
Quickly race the engine to 4,000 rpm 5 times.
Remove the spark plug. (See step (c))
Visually check the spark plug.
If the electrode is dry... OK
If the electrode is wet... Proceed to step (d)
Reinstall the spark plug. (See step (g))
Page 963 of 1354

S05308
16mm Plug
Wrench
Z00032
IG0152
IG−4
− IGNITIONIGNITION SYSTEM
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
(c) Using a 16 mm plug wrench, remove the 4 spark plugs.
(d) Visually check the spark plug for thread damage and insu-
lator damage.
If abnormal, replace the spark plug.
Recommended spark plug:
DENSOPK20R11
NGKBKR6EP−11
(e) Inspect the electrode gaps.
Maximum electrode gap for used spark plug:
1.3 mm (0.051 in.)
If the gap is greater than maximum, replace the spark plug.
Correct electrode gap for new spark plug:
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
NOTICE:
If adjusting the gap of a new spark plug, bend only the base
of the ground electrode. Do not touch the tip. Never attempt
to adjust the gap on the used plug.
(f) Clean the spark plugs.
If the electrode has traces of wet carbon, allow it to dry and then
clean with a spark plug cleaner.
Air pressure: Below 588 kPa (6 kgf/cm
2, 85 psi)
Duration: 20 seconds or less
HINT:
If there are traces of oil, remove it with gasoline before using the
spark plug cleaner.
(g) Using a 16 mm plug wrench, install the 4 spark plugs.
Torque: 18 N·m (180 kgf·cm, 13 ft·lbf)
(h) Reconnect the high−tension cords from the spark plugs.
4. INSPECT IGNITION COILS
(a) Disconnect the ignition coil connector.
(b) Disconnect the high−tension cord from ignition coil.
(c) Inspect the primary coil resistance.
Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between the
positive (+) and negative (−) terminals.
Primary coil resistance:
Cold0.36 − 0.55 Ω
Hot0.45 − 0.65 Ω
If the resistance is not as specified, replace the ignition coil.
Page 964 of 1354

B11565
B11566
B11567
− IGNITIONIGNITION SYSTEM
IG−5
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
(d) Inspect the secondary coil resistance.
Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between the
positive (+) and high−tension terminals.
Secondary coil resistance:
Cold9.0 − 15.4 kΩ
Hot11.4 − 18.1 kΩ
If the resistance is not as specified, replace the ignition coil.
(e) Reconnect the high−tension cord to ignition coil.
(f) Reconnect the ignition coil connector.
5. INSPECT DISTRIBUTOR
(a) Remove the distributor cap.
Remove the 2 bolts, and disconnect the distributor cap
from the distributor housing.
(b) Remove the rotor.
(c) Inspect the air gap.
Using SST, measure the air gap between the signal rotor
and pick up coil projection.
SST 09240−00020
Air gap: 0.2 − 0.45 mm (0.008 − 0.018 in.)
If the air gap is not as specified, replace the distributor housing
assembly.
(d) Disconnect the distributor connector.
(e) Inspect the signal generator (Pickup coil) resistance.
Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between ter-
minals.
Pickup coil resistance:
Cold135 − 220 Ω
Hot175 − 255 Ω
If the resistance is not as specified, replace the distributor hous-
ing assembly.
(f) Reconnect the distributor connector.
(g) Reinstall the rotor.
(h) Reinstall the distributor cap.
Install a new packing and distributor cap with the 2 bolts.
Page 968 of 1354
IG0J5−02
− IGNITIONDISTRIBUTOR
IG−9
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
REMOVAL
1. REMOVE AIR CLEANER CAP ASSEMBLY (See page ST−4)
2. DISCONNECT DISTRIBUTOR CONNECTOR
3. DISCONNECT HIGH−TENSION CORD FROM IGNITION COIL
4. DISCONNECT HIGH−TENSION CORDS FROM SPARK PLUGS
NOTICE:
Pulling on or bending the cords may damage the conductor inside.
5. REMOVE DISTRIBUTOR
(a) Remove the hold−down bolt, and pull out the distributor.
(b) Remove the O−ring from the distributor housing.
Page 972 of 1354
IG0J9−01
B11573
B11574
− IGNITIONDISTRIBUTOR
IG−13
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
INSTALLATION
1. SET NO. 1 CYLINDER TO DTC/COMPRESSION
Turn the crankshaft clockwise, and position the slit of the intake
camshaft as shown in the illustration.
2. INSTALL DISTRIBUTOR
(a) Install a new O−ring to the housing.
(b) Apply a light coat of engine oil on the O−ring.
(c) Align the cutout of the coupling with the line of the hous-
ing.
(d) Insert the distributor, aligning the center of the flange with
that of bolt hole on the cylinder head.
(e) Tighten the hold−down bolt.
Torque: 19 N·m (195 kgf·cm, 14 ft·lbf)
3. CONNECT HIGH−TENSION CORDS TO SPARK
PLUGS
Firing order:
1 − 3 − 4 − 2
4. CONNECT HIGH−TENSION CORD TO IGNITION COIL
5. CONNECT DISTRIBUTOR CONNECTOR
6. INSTALL AIR CLEANER CAP ASSEMBLY
Page 976 of 1354

LU060−04
S01260
Oil Pressure Gauge
P13638
Adhesive
− LUBRICATIONOIL AND FILTER
LU−1
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
OIL AND FILTER
INSPECTION
1. CHECK ENGINE OIL QUALITY
Check the oil for deterioration, entry of water, discoloring or thin-
ning.
If the quality is visibly poor, replace the oil.
Oil grade:
API grade SH, Energy − Conserving II multigrade en-
gine oil or ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended viscosity is as shown in the illustra-
tion.
2. CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL
The oil level should be between the ”L” and ”F” marks on the dip-
stick.
If low, check for leakage and add oil up to ”F” mark.
3. REMOVE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH, AND INSTALL OIL
PRESSURE GAUGE
4. WARM UP ENGINE
Allow the engine to warm up to normal operating temperature.
5. CHECK OIL PRESSURE
Oil pressure:
At idle
29 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3 psi) or more
At 3,000 rpm
245 − 490 kPa
(2.5 − 5.0 kgf/cm
2, 36 − 71 psi)
6. REMOVE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AND REINSTALL
OIL PRESSURE SWITCH
(a) Remove the oil pressure gauge.
(b) Apply adhesive to 2 or 3 threads of the oil pressure switch.
Adhesive:
Part No.08833−00080, THREE BOND 1344,
LOCTITE 242 or equivalent
(c) Reinstall the oil pressure switch.
7. START ENGINE AND CHECK FOR LEAKS