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Toyota Highlander Check Engine Light

114 messages,  Last post on Mar 17, 2013 at 11:32 AM

You are in the Toyota Highlander Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, SUV

Messages Page 12 of 13

#103 of 114 sensor problem by lgiblin

Oct 17, 2011 (9:40 am)

I have a 2004 toyota highlander. ~ 6 mos ago had a check engine light come on and changed the air sensor. The check engine light has come on periodically since and goes out after an hour or so. It has not come on for ~ 2mos. Today had an inspection and although there are no error codes the emission will not pass because multiple sensors say 'not ready'. There has been no battery changes or jumps in hundreds of miles. The car has also developed some hesitation with acceleration...any thought?

#104 of 114 Engine running out of oil causing blown engine by dm0812

Nov 25, 2011 (8:19 pm)

We had a 2001 Highlander 6 cyl, 150,000 miles, owned it for 3 years, purchased used, great vehicle until it left us stranded. We had just taken it in for service at the dealership due to the check engine light coming on and we were going on a trip, so we had oil changed (always had it changed religiously), sensors changed, and some other work done to the tune of $963.00. Took off on vacation and about 1200 miles into the vacation I heard a knock in the engine, pulled into gas station and it took 4 quarts of oil !!!, limped to dealership 1.5 miles away, told engine was ruined. I called the first dealership about what was happening before I found out engine was ruined, the Service manager said they were hearing of problem when traveling at highway speeds. Never mentioned it before. Wife posted our being stranded on facebook and a close friend said they had the same thing happen to them while on a trip with their Highlander and they had to get a different vehicle also. Beware if going on trips, check oil when stopping, it may save you from getting stranded. Service manager said something failed in engine to let the oil out or burn it up as they saw no evidence of leak, crack or anything else. This was strange as we never had any problems before until we ended up stranded. Going through that much oil when it never did before leaves me with a lot of unanswered questions. Now that I think back I saw small specs of something on the back of the vehicle when filling up but thought it was from some other vehicle we passed or the road. Most likely it was oil but never did get a chance to check it out once we were stranded as we junked the vehicle. I am posting this as a warning since the service manager mentioned something to me (sorry he waited). Oil light only came on when we pulled off freeway. Only comes on when low pressure not low oil volume.

#105 of 114 Re: Engine running out of oil causing blown engine [dm0812] by jrfiero

Nov 26, 2011 (7:10 am)

Replying to: dm0812 (Nov 25, 2011 8:19 pm)
If you search this and the maintenance forum for "oil consumption" and "PCV" you'll find numerous instances of high oil consumption at highway speeds, fixed by replacing the PCV valve. It's a known issue and a competent dealer should be aware of it.
I'm suspicious of the timing of your problem just after a service. If a PCV valve was on their laundry list I'd discuss that with them.
What did your engine do after you put four quarts in it? What do you mean by "limped?" Were you just being careful or did the car not run right? Exactly why are they saying it's "ruined?"

#106 of 114 2003 Toyota Highlander 4cyl. AWD 52k miles, check engine light by kungyal

Nov 29, 2011 (1:04 pm)

I had done the transmission oil & engine oil change at Valvoline instant oil change service station and right after 50 miles the check engine light was on. I came to this forum for some idea and there is lots of solution that other owner had shared about sensor problem, oil change, spark plug etc. But I went back to Valvoline service station and compliant about the problem and they inspected the vehicle with (U380 OBD2 LCD Car Diagnostic Scanner Fault Code Reader) and the check engine light is gone. Hope it doesn't pop up again. Saved some bucks from going to dealer and paying diagnostic charges.

#107 of 114 Re: 2003 Toyota Highlander 4cyl. AWD 52k miles, check engine light [kungyal] by bikeman3

Nov 29, 2011 (1:21 pm)

Replying to: kungyal (Nov 29, 2011 1:04 pm)
I think there is a vacuum hose that sometimes comes off. Pennzoil usually knocks it off, but Valvoline is pretty good.
You probably wont have a problem, if you do just take it back there and make sure they reattach it

#108 of 114 U-joint diagnosis by tom154

Dec 19, 2011 (9:32 am)

I have been getting a little shimmy on my 03 Highlander 140,000 miles. At first I thought it was the transmission. I took it to Toyota and they said that its the Rear U-joint on front drive shaft binding. When I looked under the car I didnt feel any play on any of the drive shafts. Toyota wants $1800 to change it out (Tough Call). Could it just be out of balance? How do I have that checked or is there something else I should look for?.

#109 of 114 Re: 2003 Toyota Highlander 4cyl. AWD 52k miles, check engine light [bikeman3] by phrosut

Dec 19, 2011 (11:53 am)

Replying to: bikeman3 (Nov 29, 2011 1:21 pm)
There IS a hose that can be easily disconnected when checking/changing the air filter. It is a hose directly connected to the charcoal canister. It WILL set the CE/VSC light within a few days if it becomes disconnected.
 
After some mice ate a few wires and those lights came on, I assumed the 'norm'. Much troubleshooting and learning later, apparently the critters must've shorted a computer circuit.
 
So now... I can't pass smog with the CE light on. I worked on it for a year (before my next smog test) with no luck. Sometimes the CE light would be off for awhile and I'd think the problem was fixed. Sometimes not, and I'd begin the next step and pulling my limited hair out.
 
I replaced the charcoal canister, some solanoids, other stuff... sometimes the light would stay out, but eventually it'd come back on.
 
THEN I connected with a mechanic that understood the "system".
 
The computer runs a test on the evap system at startup. But it doesn't run the test "IF" the fuel tank is more than 3/4 full ( and the computer has been reset by disconnecting the battery for a few minutes). It isn't supposed to run the test if the fuel is below 1/4 AND the engine is warm.
 
My evap system has been mostly replaced, and the rest verified to be working correctly. But the test fails. To me, the mice must've shorted out a circuit in the computer than controls this test.
 
So to pass the CA smog test, I gotta fill the tank, disconnect/reconnect the battery, then get my test before the tank goes below 3/4.
 
Maybe this'll help someone with the same problem.
 
Phil

#110 of 114 Re: Highlander Check engine light [kenabr] by blazingtartan

Aug 31, 2012 (1:00 pm)

Replying to: kenabr (Jan 05, 2007 4:06 pm)
If tightening the gas cap doesn't get rid of the CEL, there's no need to disconnect the battery to reset it. Just locate the "EFI" fuse and remove it for 30 seconds.

#111 of 114 Re: To clear maint reqd lite [hwhit26] by gwyniesmom

Sep 06, 2012 (1:15 pm)

Replying to: hwhit26 (Nov 17, 2008 12:11 pm)
Just had an O2 sensor replaced several weeks ago because of Check Engine light coming on and it just came on again. Read this post and it worked!!! Am so excited - thanks for the information.

#112 of 114 Re: check engine light by riversmiles

Nov 30, 2012 (7:16 pm)

Replying to: lgiblin (Oct 17, 2011 9:40 am)
In the owners manual for the 2004 Highlander, it says when the check engine light comes on, change the oil. It comes on around every 3500 miles.

Messages Page 12 of 13

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