Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
SYS.OK|MANUAL.DB● LIVE
HOMESERVICE MANUALSTOYOTA2001HIGHLANDER 2WD L4-2.4L (2AZ-FE)REPAIR AND DIAGNOSISTRANSMISSION AND DRIVETRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLESERVICE AND REPAIRAUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE REPLACEMENT
2001 Toyota Highlander 2WD L4-2.4L (2AZ-FE)
Automatic Transaxle Replacement
2001 Toyota Highlander 2WD L4-2.4L (2AZ-FE)SECTION Automatic Transaxle Replacement
REPLACEMENT
1. REMOVE ENGINE ASSY W/TRANSAXLE
2. REMOVE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT ASSY RH [43410 / 98-68]
3. REMOVE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT ASSY LH [43420 / 98-68]
4. REMOVE TRANSVERSE ENGINE ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKET (4WD DRIVE TYPE)
[12321A / 98-10]
5. REMOVE TRANSFER ASSY (4WD DRIVE TYPE) [36100 / 98-57]
6. REMOVE TRANSMISSION CONTROL CABLE CLAMP [33829B / 98-43]
a. Remove the bolt and control cable clamp.
7. REMOVE WIRE HARNESS CLAMP
a. Disconnect the wire harness from the clamp.
b. Remove the 3 bolts and 2 clamps.
8. SEPARATE WIRE HARNESS
a. Remove the wire harness.
9. REMOVE STARTER ASSY [28100 / 98-39]
a. Remove the nut and disconnect the starter wire.
b. Disconnect the connector.
c. Remove the 2 bolts and starter.
10. SEPARATE CONNECTOR
a. Disconnect the transmission wire connector.
b. Disconnect the park/neutral position switch connector.
c. Disconnect the speed sensor connector.
11. REMOVE TRANSMISSION CONTROL CABLE BRACKET NO. 1 [33823 / 98-43]
a. Remove the bolt and oil cooler tube clamp.
b. Remove the 2 bolts and transmission control cable bracket.
12. REMOVE TRANSMISSION OIL FILLER TUBE SUB-ASSY [35013 / 98-47]
a. Remove the ATF level gauge.
b. Remove the bolt and oil filler tube.
c. Remove the O-ring from the oil filler tube.
13. REMOVE OIL COOLER INLET TUBE NO. 1 [32921 / 98-56]
a. Using SST and spanner, disconnect the oil cooler inlet tube.
SST 09023-12700
14. REMOVE OIL COOLER OUTLET TUBE NO. 1 [32922 / 98-56]
a. Using SST and spanner, disconnect the oil cooler outlet tube.
SST 09023-12700
15. REMOVE TRANSVERSE ENGINE ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKET [12311A / 98-10]
a. Remove the 2 bolts and engine mounting bracket FR.
16. REMOVE FLYWHEEL HOUSING UNDER COVER [11361J / 98-7]
a. Remove the flywheel housing under cover.
17. REMOVE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE ASSY [30500 / 98-45]
a. Turn the crankshaft to gain access and remove the 6 bolts while holding the crankshaft pulley bolt with a wrench.
b. Remove the 9 bolts.
c. Separate and remove the automatic transaxle.
18. REMOVE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH ASSY [32000 / 98-46]
19. INSPECT TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH ASSY [32000 / 98-46]
SST 09350-32014 (09351-32010, 09351-32020)
20. INSTALL TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH ASSY [32000 / 98-46]
a. Install the torque converter clutch to the automatic transaxle.
b. Using calipers, measure dimension A between the transaxle and the end surface of the drive plate.
c. Using calipers and a straight edge, measure the dimension B shown in the illustration and check that B is greater than A measured in (b).
Standard: A + 1 mm or more
21. INSTALL AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE ASSY [30500 / 98-45]
a. Install the automatic transaxle and 9 bolts to the engine.
Torque:
Bolt A: 64 Nm (650 kgf-cm, 47 ft. lbs.)
Bolt B: 46 Nm (470 kgf-cm, 34 ft. lbs.)
Bolt C: 37.2 Nm (379 kgf-cm, 27 ft. lbs.)
b. Apply a few drops of adhesive to each 2 threads on the tip of the 6 torque converter clutch mounting bolts.
Adhesive: Part No. 08833-00070, THREE BOND 1324 or equivalent
c. Install the 6 torque converter clutch mounting bolts.
Torque: 41 Nm (420 kgf-cm, 30 ft. lbs.)
HINT: First install green colored bolt and then the 5 bolts.
22. INSTALL FLYWHEEL HOUSING UNDER COVER [11361J / 98-7]
a. Install the flywheel housing under cover.
23. INSTALL TRANSVERSE ENGINE ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKET [12311A / 98-10]
a. Install the engine mounting bracket FR and 2 bolts to the automatic transaxle.
Torque: 64 Nm (653 kgf-cm, 47 ft. lbs.)
24. INSTALL TRANSMISSION OIL FILLER TUBE SUB-ASSY [35013 / 98-47]
a. Coat a new O-ring with ATF, and install them to the oil filler tube.
b. Install the oil filler tube and bolt to the automatic transaxle.
Torque: 5.5 Nm (56 kgf-cm, 49 inch lbs.)
c. Install the ATF level gauge.
25. INSTALL TRANSMISSION CONTROL CABLE BRACKET NO. 1 [33823 / 98-43]
a. Install the control cable bracket and 2 bolts.
Torque: 11.8 Nm (122 kgf-cm, 9 ft. lbs.)
26. INSTALL OIL COOLER INLET TUBE NO. 1 [32921 / 98-56]
a. Temporarily install the oil cooler outlet tube.
b. Temporarily install the oil cooler inlet tube.
c. Install the oil cooler tube clamp and bolt.
Torque: 5.5 Nm (56 kgf-cm, 49 inch lbs.)
HINT: Install them so that the oil cooler tube cushion is positioned as illustrated.
d. Using SST and spanner, tighten the oil cooler inlet tube.
SST 09023-12700
Torque: 34.3 Nm (350 kgf-cm, 25 ft. lbs.)
27. INSTALL OIL COOLER OUTLET TUBE NO. 1 [32922 / 98-56]
a. Using SST and spanner, tighten the oil cooler outlet tube.
SST 09023-12700
Torque: 34.3 Nm (350 kgf-cm, 25 ft. lbs.)
28. INSTALL STARTER ASSY [28100 / 98-39]
a. Install the starter and 2 bolts.
Torque: 39 Nm (398 kgf-cm, 29 ft. lbs.)
b. Connect the connector.
c. Install the starter wire and nut.
Torque: 9.8 Nm (100 kgf-cm, 87 inch lbs.)
29. INSTALL WIRE HARNESS
a. Install the wire harness and bolt.
Torque: 25.5 Nm (260 kgf-cm, 19 ft. lbs.)
30. INSTALL WIRE HARNESS CLAMP
a. Install the 2 clamps and 3 bolts.
Torque: 8.4 Nm (86 kgf-cm, 74 inch lbs.)
b. Connect the wire harness to the clamp.
31. INSTALL TRANSMISSION CONTROL CABLE CLAMP [33829B / 9843]
a. Install the control cable clamp and bolt.
Torque: 11.8 Nm (122 kgf-cm, 9 ft. lbs.)
32. INSTALL TRANSFER ASSY (4WD DRIVE TYPE) [36100 / 98-57]
33. INSTALL TRANSVERSE ENGINE ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKET (4WD DRIVE TYPE) [12321A / 98-10]
34. INSTALL FRONT DRIVE SHAFT ASSY LH [43420 / 98-68]
35. INSTALL FRONT DRIVE SHAFT ASSY RH [43410 / 98-68]
36. INSTALL ENGINE ASSY W/TRANSAXLE
1. REMOVE ENGINE ASSY W/TRANSAXLE
2. REMOVE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT ASSY RH [43410 / 98-68]
3. REMOVE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT ASSY LH [43420 / 98-68]
4. REMOVE TRANSVERSE ENGINE ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKET (4WD DRIVE TYPE)
[12321A / 98-10]
5. REMOVE TRANSFER ASSY (4WD DRIVE TYPE) [36100 / 98-57]
6. REMOVE TRANSMISSION CONTROL CABLE CLAMP [33829B / 98-43]
a. Remove the bolt and control cable clamp.
7. REMOVE WIRE HARNESS CLAMP
a. Disconnect the wire harness from the clamp.
b. Remove the 3 bolts and 2 clamps.
8. SEPARATE WIRE HARNESS
a. Remove the wire harness.
9. REMOVE STARTER ASSY [28100 / 98-39]
a. Remove the nut and disconnect the starter wire.
b. Disconnect the connector.
c. Remove the 2 bolts and starter.
10. SEPARATE CONNECTOR
a. Disconnect the transmission wire connector.
b. Disconnect the park/neutral position switch connector.
c. Disconnect the speed sensor connector.
11. REMOVE TRANSMISSION CONTROL CABLE BRACKET NO. 1 [33823 / 98-43]
a. Remove the bolt and oil cooler tube clamp.
b. Remove the 2 bolts and transmission control cable bracket.
12. REMOVE TRANSMISSION OIL FILLER TUBE SUB-ASSY [35013 / 98-47]
a. Remove the ATF level gauge.
b. Remove the bolt and oil filler tube.
c. Remove the O-ring from the oil filler tube.
13. REMOVE OIL COOLER INLET TUBE NO. 1 [32921 / 98-56]
a. Using SST and spanner, disconnect the oil cooler inlet tube.
SST 09023-12700
14. REMOVE OIL COOLER OUTLET TUBE NO. 1 [32922 / 98-56]
a. Using SST and spanner, disconnect the oil cooler outlet tube.
SST 09023-12700
15. REMOVE TRANSVERSE ENGINE ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKET [12311A / 98-10]
a. Remove the 2 bolts and engine mounting bracket FR.
16. REMOVE FLYWHEEL HOUSING UNDER COVER [11361J / 98-7]
a. Remove the flywheel housing under cover.
17. REMOVE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE ASSY [30500 / 98-45]
a. Turn the crankshaft to gain access and remove the 6 bolts while holding the crankshaft pulley bolt with a wrench.
b. Remove the 9 bolts.
c. Separate and remove the automatic transaxle.
18. REMOVE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH ASSY [32000 / 98-46]
19. INSPECT TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH ASSY [32000 / 98-46]
SST 09350-32014 (09351-32010, 09351-32020)
20. INSTALL TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH ASSY [32000 / 98-46]
a. Install the torque converter clutch to the automatic transaxle.
b. Using calipers, measure dimension A between the transaxle and the end surface of the drive plate.
c. Using calipers and a straight edge, measure the dimension B shown in the illustration and check that B is greater than A measured in (b).
Standard: A + 1 mm or more
21. INSTALL AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE ASSY [30500 / 98-45]
a. Install the automatic transaxle and 9 bolts to the engine.
Torque:
Bolt A: 64 Nm (650 kgf-cm, 47 ft. lbs.)
Bolt B: 46 Nm (470 kgf-cm, 34 ft. lbs.)
Bolt C: 37.2 Nm (379 kgf-cm, 27 ft. lbs.)
b. Apply a few drops of adhesive to each 2 threads on the tip of the 6 torque converter clutch mounting bolts.
Adhesive: Part No. 08833-00070, THREE BOND 1324 or equivalent
c. Install the 6 torque converter clutch mounting bolts.
Torque: 41 Nm (420 kgf-cm, 30 ft. lbs.)
HINT: First install green colored bolt and then the 5 bolts.
22. INSTALL FLYWHEEL HOUSING UNDER COVER [11361J / 98-7]
a. Install the flywheel housing under cover.
23. INSTALL TRANSVERSE ENGINE ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKET [12311A / 98-10]
a. Install the engine mounting bracket FR and 2 bolts to the automatic transaxle.
Torque: 64 Nm (653 kgf-cm, 47 ft. lbs.)
24. INSTALL TRANSMISSION OIL FILLER TUBE SUB-ASSY [35013 / 98-47]
a. Coat a new O-ring with ATF, and install them to the oil filler tube.
b. Install the oil filler tube and bolt to the automatic transaxle.
Torque: 5.5 Nm (56 kgf-cm, 49 inch lbs.)
c. Install the ATF level gauge.
25. INSTALL TRANSMISSION CONTROL CABLE BRACKET NO. 1 [33823 / 98-43]
a. Install the control cable bracket and 2 bolts.
Torque: 11.8 Nm (122 kgf-cm, 9 ft. lbs.)
26. INSTALL OIL COOLER INLET TUBE NO. 1 [32921 / 98-56]
a. Temporarily install the oil cooler outlet tube.
b. Temporarily install the oil cooler inlet tube.
c. Install the oil cooler tube clamp and bolt.
Torque: 5.5 Nm (56 kgf-cm, 49 inch lbs.)
HINT: Install them so that the oil cooler tube cushion is positioned as illustrated.
d. Using SST and spanner, tighten the oil cooler inlet tube.
SST 09023-12700
Torque: 34.3 Nm (350 kgf-cm, 25 ft. lbs.)
27. INSTALL OIL COOLER OUTLET TUBE NO. 1 [32922 / 98-56]
a. Using SST and spanner, tighten the oil cooler outlet tube.
SST 09023-12700
Torque: 34.3 Nm (350 kgf-cm, 25 ft. lbs.)
28. INSTALL STARTER ASSY [28100 / 98-39]
a. Install the starter and 2 bolts.
Torque: 39 Nm (398 kgf-cm, 29 ft. lbs.)
b. Connect the connector.
c. Install the starter wire and nut.
Torque: 9.8 Nm (100 kgf-cm, 87 inch lbs.)
29. INSTALL WIRE HARNESS
a. Install the wire harness and bolt.
Torque: 25.5 Nm (260 kgf-cm, 19 ft. lbs.)
30. INSTALL WIRE HARNESS CLAMP
a. Install the 2 clamps and 3 bolts.
Torque: 8.4 Nm (86 kgf-cm, 74 inch lbs.)
b. Connect the wire harness to the clamp.
31. INSTALL TRANSMISSION CONTROL CABLE CLAMP [33829B / 9843]
a. Install the control cable clamp and bolt.
Torque: 11.8 Nm (122 kgf-cm, 9 ft. lbs.)
32. INSTALL TRANSFER ASSY (4WD DRIVE TYPE) [36100 / 98-57]
33. INSTALL TRANSVERSE ENGINE ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKET (4WD DRIVE TYPE) [12321A / 98-10]
34. INSTALL FRONT DRIVE SHAFT ASSY LH [43420 / 98-68]
35. INSTALL FRONT DRIVE SHAFT ASSY RH [43410 / 98-68]
36. INSTALL ENGINE ASSY W/TRANSAXLE
RENDER: 1.0x
NO RELATED
Recommended Tools & Savings
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.