I have a 2001 toyota rav 4. The A/C switch on the

Bad shifter, shifter cable, or neutral safety switch.

Do you have the dash light dimmer control turned down by chance?

It's either faulty ignition lock or the switch at the bottom of the gear stick which I've had twice before

Yes I would agree the trans selector switch has failed, provided the wiring is good.
The license plate lights would be on a different circuit tied into the regular tail lights.

This Toyota Rav-4 1998 to 2000 - Radio Installation / Stereo Installation coudl helped: InstallDocs/Toyota/PDF/869029.pdf

Good luck.

Click this link directly to get the complete service repair manual. http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/9011913-toyota-rav-4-2001-2005-service-repair-manual --------- Keep updated for any more queries.

You probably have a stuck or misadjusted brake light switch. The brake light switch located under the dash next to the brake pedal lever.

We took out the top dash cover and the bottom one. With an electric drill a whole was made which helped to push the pin and then we could remove the damaged ignition.

Keep gently trying while moving the steering wheel and jiggling the shifter. Is the car actually in park. If no luck then to the shop it must go. If you get it out do not put that key back in....get a new one at the dealer made from the vin.

I work for Toyota, and I will be glad to provide you with the actual answer:

The RAV/4 product is available in two models, a 4WD model and a 2WD model.
The difference between the two is on the 2WD model, there is no driveshaft going under the vehicle to the rear wheels, and no rear differential. There is no "RAV/2"; both models are called RAV/4's.

There is a lot of common confusuion about how the 4WD works. It is full time 4WD. In other words, it is always in 4WD. It does not "kick in/kick out/automatically engage", or anything like that. It is 4WD all of the time. But, when I say "4WD", that is sometimes mistaken for "all wheel drive", and, in this case, the RAV/4 is not "AWD". What this means is that if you raise the RAV/4 up on a lift, and put it in gear, 1 rear and the other side front tires will spin. True "all wheel drive" would have ALL 4 wheels spinning. This is not the case with the Rav/4. What the RAV does have, making up for not having "True AWD" on the 5 speed model, however, is a switch that locks the center differential in the transfer case, which, when engaged, applies a method of "locking" the 4WD system for maximum traction, but it is still not AWD. The automatic version doe not have this ability.
The last "true AWD" vehicle for purchase was a 1970's International Scout.
If you are considering purchasing a RAV/4, that is a very good investement. They hold their value quite well, and are virtually bulletproof; I do not make any "money" off my RAV/4 customers...
Just "gas station work". Very nice cars. I hope that this helps you, please feel free to comment back with any otherr questions...Glad to be of assistance.
Toyota Ed