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.
General Information
A large number of ECU controlled systems are used in the Highlander. In general, the ECU controlled system is considered to be a very intricate system requiring a high level of technical knowledge and expert skill to troubleshoot. However, the fact is that if you proceed to inspect the circuits one by one, troubleshooting of these systems is not complex. If you have adequate understanding of the system and a basic knowledge of electricity, accurate diagnosis and necessary repair can be performed to locate and fix the problem. This information is designed through emphasis from the above standpoint to help service technicians perform accurate and effective troubleshooting, and is compiled for the following major ECU controlled systems.
The troubleshooting procedure and how to make use of it are described in the articles linked to the Troubleshooting table.
| System | Refer To | |
|---|---|---|
| SFI System (2AZ-FE) | SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - 4-CYLINDER | |
| SFI System (1MZ-FE) | SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - V6 | |
| ABS With BA & EBD System (Bosch Made) | ABS WITH BA & EBD SYSTEM - DIAGNOSTICS | |
| ABS WITH EBD & BA & TRAC & VSC SYSTEM | ABS WITH EBD & BA & TRAC & VSC SYSTEM | |
| ELECTRONIC CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION [ECT] | ||
| U241E | DIAGNOSIS - U241E | |
| U140E & U140F | DIAGNOSIS - U140E & U140F | |
| AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM | ||
| Automatic | AUTOMATIC A/C HEATER SYSTEMS | |
| Manual | MANUAL A/C-HEATER SYSTEMS | |
| Supplement Restraint System | AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS | |
| AUDIO SYSTEM | AUDIO SYSTEM | |
| COMBINATION METER | COMBINATION METER | |
| POWER WINDOW CONTROL SYSTEM | POWER WINDOW CONTROL SYSTEM | |
| POWER DOOR LOCK CONTROL SYSTEM | POWER DOOR LOCK CONTROL SYSTEM | |
| WIRELESS DOOR LOCK CONTROL SYSTEM | WIRELESS DOOR LOCK CONTROL SYSTEM - DIAGNOSTI | |
| SLIDING ROOF SYSTEM | SLIDING ROOF SYSTEM - DIAGNOSTICS | |
| ENGINE IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM | ENGINE IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM | |
| THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM | THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM | |
| BODY MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION SYSTEM | BODY MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION SYSTEM | |
| Cruise Control System | CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS | |
FOR USING OBD-II SCAN TOOL OR HAND-HELD TESTER
- Before using the scan tool or tester, the scan tool's instruction book or tester's operator manual should be read thoroughly.
- If the scan tool or tester cannot communicate with ECU controlled systems when you have connected the cable of the scan tool or tester to DLC3, turned the ignition switch ON and operated the scan tool, there is a problem on the vehicle side or tool side.
- If communication is normal when the tool is connected to another vehicle, inspect the diagnosis data link line (Bus®line) or ECU power circuit of the vehicle.
- If communication is still not possible when the tool is connected to another vehicle, the problem is probably in the tool itself, so perform the Self Test Procedures outline in the Tester Operator's Manual.
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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.