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Toyota Highlander Maintenance and Repair

5315 messages,  Last post on May 21, 2013 at 11:28 PM

You are in the Toyota Highlander Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, SUV

Messages Page 314 of 533

#3124 of 5315 Bad mildew and mold smell with 2001 Highlander by rusty14

Oct 13, 2005 (6:43 pm)

Is anyone aware of a recurring problem with earlier highlanders concerning a severe mold and mildew smell within the interior? I have seen this problem referenced with older Sienna's and other Toyota vehicles.
 
I have tried flushing the air intake with water and spraying can after can of lysol, plus baking powder placed on the carpet and nothing is helping.
 
I have seen other references to needing to clean out the evaporator system with products such as BG?
 
Toyota dealer has not returned my phone calls which is no surprise. I can't wait until the next Consumer Reports questionnaire so I can provide additional feedback on this problem.
 
Have had a bad oil burning smell with the vehicle since the beginning and now it's equally smelling on the inside.
 
Last time I buy a Toyota.

#3125 of 5315 It isn't.... by wwest

Oct 13, 2005 (6:56 pm)

just Toyota owners that are having mold and mildew problems. If you check the lincoln Aviator thread you will see that Ford just repurchased someone's car over this.
 
Mold and mildew and instances of unexpected windshield fogging throughout the industry can be pretty much laid at the feet of a Japanese company by the name of NipponDenso, Denso US, in the US.
 
Some manufacturers now provide a means of disabling the A/C indefinitely, Toyota and Lexus via a C-best option. In the past I avoided these problems by disconnecting the A/C compressor clutch during the cool or cold winter months when it is virtual useless and can actually be harmful.
 
It also helps if you leave the windows down in the garage each night if you have used the A/C during the day.
 
Google for: EED "Electronic evaporator dryer" for more detail and a possible long term solution.

#3126 of 5315 2001 Highlander - Auto Heating System needs to be replaced??? by bex

Oct 19, 2005 (8:05 am)

Anyone else have this problem? I have a 2001 V6AWD and the symptom is that the "Temp" knob is stuck at 65 degrees! I am told that the whole Heat/Air Panel needs to be replaced - not just the switch for the knob - since it the is "auto" style heating system. It only has about 62K miles on it. Seems too soon for this to be happening??

#3127 of 5315 Backup Light Brightness by vlanman25

Oct 19, 2005 (11:20 am)

Does anyone find the backup lights on an 2005 Highlander not bright enough? My back windows are tinted and yes my eyes arn't what they used to be either but that aside I find them almost useless. My Corrola lights shine with what seems to be twice the brightness. Does anyone know if the bulbs can be changed for brighter ones?
 
Regards to all,
 
Ken

#3128 of 5315 Re: Backup Light Brightness [vlanman25] by wwest

Oct 19, 2005 (12:21 pm)

Replying to: vlanman25 (Oct 19, 2005 11:20 am)
One of the very first things I do when taking delivery of a new vehicle is swap out the ~12 watt backup bulbs for halogen, 50 watt on the driver's side and 20 watt on the passenger side.

#3129 of 5315 Re: Backup Light Brightness [wwest] by goldston

Oct 19, 2005 (12:26 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Oct 19, 2005 12:21 pm)
If you don't me asking, where did you find the brighter replacement bulbs?
I've never thought or knew that there were brighter bulbs available and I think this is a great idea.
 
Best regards,
 
Philip

#3130 of 5315 Re: Why Not Give Us A Break? [hylyner] by splatsterhound

Oct 19, 2005 (12:32 pm)

Replying to: hylyner (Oct 12, 2005 6:18 am)
This forum is to search for fellow drivers who might have some advice. If Highlanders have a hesitation issue -- and some obviously do -- then let people talk. My relative's Highlander has what I think is dangerous hesitation. It seems that the dealer is in denial. Putting a muzzle on people doesn't help.
 
I'm personally struck by how many people ARE complaining of hesitation issues -- and it gives some of us ammunition when going to a dealer.
 
Case in point: a friend of mine has an Acura mdx. It had the transmission fail prematurely. The dealer wanted $3500. I did some research and pointed out to my friend that the mdx has had a problem with early tran. failures. He went to dealer with the information and was quietly told that, oh, gosh, Acura would cover most of his repair cost after all.

#3131 of 5315 Forum use by grahampeters

Oct 19, 2005 (2:50 pm)

Please direct comments on the hesitation issue to the specific board addressing them. On each occassion that the topic appears on these pages, the invective raised drives away many readers/posters. As a case in point, I avoid posting on this board because it is devalued by the lengthy rehashing of the same issue.
 
Graham

#3132 of 5315 Re: Forum use [grahampeters] by wwest

Oct 19, 2005 (4:37 pm)

Replying to: grahampeters (Oct 19, 2005 2:50 pm)
Grapham, good idea, really good idea.
 
Now, since it was your idea would it be okay if we made you reponsible for contacting all those with the hesitation symptom. All those newbies who have never been "here" yet and let them know that it's not appropreate to post questions on that particular subject on this thread.
 
Going "first" to the most obvious thread is not PC.
 
Or maybe the host can retitle the thread...
 
"Do not post questions of engine/throttle hesitation here."

#3133 of 5315 Re: Forum use [wwest] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 19, 2005 (5:40 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Oct 19, 2005 4:37 pm)
We've been through this already. If a newbie comes in with a hesitation type post, please someone (or me if I see it first), direct them to the Engine Hesitation Forum.
 
People who are regular posters in the Engine Hesitation Forum can invite newbies to that forum but should not be posting their problems here, as this is a general topic for the Highlander.
 
So basically anyone who isn't a newbie, and who is posting lengthy messages about the Engine Hesitation Problem here, may have their posts removed, as per Host's best judgment on keeping the peace.

Messages Page 314 of 533

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