Responding to your points:
1) I am not aware of any replacement Denso heater failing. The original ones furnished have a relatively high failure rate, but not as high as some of the Tesla components, lol. ISTR that there is a part number change, but I can't find that info right now.
2) I looked at my replacement receipt from 2019, and 87101-42010 was $2,775; my usual source says $2,200 today. eBay has a "New -- Other" one on offer for $1,330 (plus tax).
3) Referring to pics I posted on this topic last December, IIRC, when using a Leaf unit as a replacement, you cut the D15 harness from the failed unit and adapt it to the Leaf unit, as the leaf has only a hard connector, and it's different (and, per Vlad, has pins that are unused on the RAV4 EV). I don't know of a public success story installing the Leaf unit to the RAV4 EV, so . . . this would be a pioneer job? It's sure seems like the least expensive thing to try . . . if one knew for certain that the Leaf unit you purchased was a later revision with the better heater element/PCB interface; the early Leaf units suffer a similar problem to the early RAV4 EV ones, and if the early units can be avoided . . . best done. But I have no info on how to do that; some research over on the Leaf forum would be req'd, I assume.
User ph2 installed a Ford Focus unit, and the wiring adaption was straightforward and I think he used both LV & HV harnesses harvested from the old heater, no adaption of the vehicle side wiring was required, so it could be put back to stock if desired.
4) addressed above
I don't, but wouldn't that be wonderful knowledge to have?
1) I am not aware of any replacement Denso heater failing. The original ones furnished have a relatively high failure rate, but not as high as some of the Tesla components, lol. ISTR that there is a part number change, but I can't find that info right now.
2) I looked at my replacement receipt from 2019, and 87101-42010 was $2,775; my usual source says $2,200 today. eBay has a "New -- Other" one on offer for $1,330 (plus tax).
3) Referring to pics I posted on this topic last December, IIRC, when using a Leaf unit as a replacement, you cut the D15 harness from the failed unit and adapt it to the Leaf unit, as the leaf has only a hard connector, and it's different (and, per Vlad, has pins that are unused on the RAV4 EV). I don't know of a public success story installing the Leaf unit to the RAV4 EV, so . . . this would be a pioneer job? It's sure seems like the least expensive thing to try . . . if one knew for certain that the Leaf unit you purchased was a later revision with the better heater element/PCB interface; the early Leaf units suffer a similar problem to the early RAV4 EV ones, and if the early units can be avoided . . . best done. But I have no info on how to do that; some research over on the Leaf forum would be req'd, I assume.
User ph2 installed a Ford Focus unit, and the wiring adaption was straightforward and I think he used both LV & HV harnesses harvested from the old heater, no adaption of the vehicle side wiring was required, so it could be put back to stock if desired.
4) addressed above
I don't, but wouldn't that be wonderful knowledge to have?
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