Various 2004 and 2009 Toyota Highlander models are commonly having issues with the automatic transmission. In many Highlander models, the problem is a failing ECM (Engine Control Module) and we can successfully fix it for you.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a REPAIR AND RETURN service. After you order, you will need to send your faulty ECM to our location. As soon as it is repaired and reprogrammed, it will be shipped back to you through any of the services we have available for you to choose from (USPS and FedEx).
This ECM module controls the engine and the automatic transmission of your Toyota Highlander. Our professional solution is backed up by a 1-year warranty.
FREE USPS Priority Mail shipping (5-7 business days) is offered to all 48 U.S. states, Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, USA Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. For faster (paid) shipping, you may use our shipping rate calculator, available upon adding this service to your cart.
Why sending it to us?
It is simple. We offer the most complete service for these units and go further than all of our competitors to make sure that you will have the best experience with us and to make sure that this issue will not happen again to your ECM.
We do not only repair the problem, but we also reprogram the ECM and fix minor issues that the customer might not even be aware of. As with all other Toyota ECM services we provide, the ECM will be checked for having the latest software version. If it is outdated, we will install the latest update available from Toyota for your specific ECM.
How does it work?
After you complete the order, you will need to disconnect and remove your ECM from your vehicle and mail it to our location. We repair, rebuild, and reprogram the ECM and then it is shipped back to you.
The following are the most common symptoms, but there could be other symptoms not listed here:
- Hesitation or harsh shifting, especially in 3rd gear
- Shifting erratically
- Harsh engagement in reverse, often slamming into gear
- Sometimes it feels like it is braking by itself
- One day it magically works okay and the other day, all the issues are back
- Issues show up only when cold or only when hot
- When stopping at a red traffic light and starting to move again, it feels very heavy or sluggish
- In many cases, the check engine light does not turn on (no codes)
This issue will affect:
The 2004 and 2009 Toyota Highlander, either 4WD (4×4 or AWD) or 2WD (4×2 of FWD), either the 4-cylinder (2.4L) models or the 6-cylinder (3.3L/3.5L) models.
Servicing the ECM of these models is something to be treated with an urge, to avoid damaging the automatic transmission once the symptoms start showing.
Below is a partial list of the Toyota part numbers affected. This number is shown on the label of the ECM.
| 89661-48650 | 89661-48660 | 89661-48690 | 89661-48691 | 89661-48692 | 89661-48710 |
| 89661-48711 | 89661-48712 | 89661-48740 | 99661-48750 | 89661-48761 | 89661-48770 |
| 89661-48A81 | 89661-48A91 | 89661-48B40 | 89661-48B50 | 89661-48B51 | 89661-48B70 |
| 89661-48B72 | 89661-48F20 | 590-50627 | 590-50866 | 590-50867 | 590-51608 |
| 590-51935 | | | | | |
Where is the ECM located?
Below is a picture showing the location of the ECM in the 2004 and 2009 Toyota Highlander:
WARRANTY
The included warranty is shown at the top of this page, near the picture and title.
Turnaround Time
Our TAT is only one business day, plus shipping transit time.
1. COVERAGE
a. The included service warranty term (stated at the top of every product page) covers the service job done and any parts replaced.
b. The basic shipping insurance for the unit when shipped is $100. If the customer desires higher-value insurance, please let us know before ordering so we can send an invoice for the extra insurance.
c. In the extremely rare occasion that the serviced product fails (related to the service), showing either the same or similar problems as before, we will consult the customer first and if we determine the problem is related to the service done, the unit will be taken back for revision at no cost to the customer for the new job or new parts to be replaced. If on the other hand, the customer decides to get a refund because of this, we will issue a refund after revising the unit. If we do not revise the unit (the customer does not send it back), we. unfortunately, won’t be able to issue a refund.
2. SHIPPING COVERAGE IN WARRANTY CLAIMS
a. In cases described in the above paragraph, inbound and outbound shipping costs coverage will depend on the case, as described below.
b. Warranty cases where shipping IS covered:
If a warranty claim is filed anytime within the warranty period and the problem is caused by something we did wrong (any error in the service process), we will cover shipping both ways if the warranty is claimed within the first 30 days after the customer receives the serviced unit. This applies to shipments within the USA and USA Territories. Inbound shipments are not covered in warranty claims for any service done to an international location. However, outbound shipments will be covered in these first 30 days.
c. If a warranty is claimed after 30 days of the customer receiving the serviced unit, we will only cover outbound (return) shipping. This applies to shipments within the USA and USA Territories. Inbound or outbound shipments are not covered after 30 days of any warranty claim for any service done to an international location.
d. Warranty cases where shipping is NOT covered:
If a warranty claim is filed within the warranty period, but after 30 days or more after the customer receives the serviced unit, we will still cover the service and parts but the customer must cover shipping both ways.
3. NO WARRANTY COVERAGE CASES
a. The warranty for this service is limited and has an expiration date, as stated at the top of this information page. No warranty will be covered after the expiration date.
b. If a warranty is claimed within the warranty term, coverage will be subject to our warranty-accepting conditions defined in our Terms and Conditions page, in section five, “D”. An example is, if the warranty seal is removed, the warranty will be voided, among other rules. We recommend checking the previously mentioned section for all the conditions.
4. PROGRAMMING SERVICES
a. The service warranty described on this page also applies to programming services. In these cases, the coverage is for the programming job only, except in cases where parts needed to be replaced. In those latter cases, parts will be covered under this warranty too.
These programming services are offered and done assuming that the ECM or unit you send for programming is in good working condition. We always do some minor tests and check for corrosion, broken areas, broken or missing parts, etc., and do a complete visual inspection to have a certain assurance that the ECM is good, but no full tests are done in programming services. The tests done are to ensure that the programming was done correctly. We are not liable if the unit you sent is not in good working order before the service.
b. In the extremely rare event that the programmed unit fails (related to the programming service done), we will consult the customer first. If programming is suspected or determined to be the culprit, the unit will be taken back for revision and reprogramming if needed, at no cost to the customer for the new job. Shipping will work the same as in section #2 above.
Finally, if the serviced unit fails (except for programming services), and the issue is not related to what we did previously, we always stand by our customers and we can take a look at it in good faith and repair or correct the problem if possible, at no charge to the customer for the job and/or parts. In these cases, shipping must be covered by the customer.
The shipping fee charged for the services is for “return shipping”. That is, to cover the expenses of returning the serviced unit to the customer. Shipping the unit to be serviced to our location must be done by the customer once he or she receives the address where to send the unit to be serviced.
Once we receive your unit to be serviced, we will notify you, either through email, text, or both. When your unit is completed, usually the next business day, the unit will be returned and we will notify you and provide the details and the tracking number.
You may also receive a text (SMS) message with the same information as an alternative way of ensuring that the sent message reaches you. For this, it is optional but recommended, that you enter a mobile phone number when ordering.
SHIPPING TO THE USA
There is a FREE shipping option (through USPS Priority Mail) for locations in the USA and USA Territories. This covers the USA’s 48 contiguous States, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
Delivery time for the offered free shipping option to USA locations will be 3 to 5 business days. On the other hand, the faster (paid) USPS and FedEx options for USA locations will deliver the next business day for FedEx Priority, or 1-3 business days for USPS Express and FedEx Economy.
PO (Post Office box) and APO (Army Post Office box) addresses are accepted but only for the USPS shipping services.
INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS (OUT OF THE USA)
We ship to international locations covered by FedEx and in some selected cases, by USPS Express. Transit times vary with the location. For most locations served by FedEx, transit time is from 3 to 10 business days. USPS to selected international locations is less expensive but may take from 6 to 15 business days but it is not as secure as FedEx due to the way the package is handled. Once USPS brings the package to the destination country, the package is then handled by that country from that point on.
Import Customs clearance in the destination country may add one or more days to the delivery time when shipping to international locations.
RATES
You can calculate the exact shipping rates available for your location with the provided shipping calculator, shown in your cart when you Add-to-Cart this service.
It is important that the country, city, and postal code (if applicable) are entered into the calculator so you get accurate rates. Rate calculations will often be way off the actual rate if the needed information is not entered or is not accurate.
We DO NOT profit from shipping. Any rate shown by the provided calculator is passed to you directly from USPS and FedEx through our connection with both companies.
We accept PayPal. You can pay your order with credit or debit cards through PayPal and have the strong PayPal’s buyer protection.
PayPal Payment Process Example
Once you complete your checkout, you will be automatically redirected to PayPal for completing the payment. Once the payment is completed, PayPal will send you back to our website to the payment and order confirmation section.
For countries that are not covered by PayPal, we are accepting offline payments, like Western Union or MoneyGram. We are a trustworthy Company and your offline payment will be treated the same as a PayPal payment. Your payment will be safe with us.
drue2283
Hello everybody, as you may already have read on other treads that many Toyotas have issues with there ECM, I have fallen victim to mine going bad and it’s not a good thing.Now here’s the story our family’s 2004 Toyota Highlander started experiencing issues with the transmission at 260,000 miles. Shifting poorly and throwing out that check engine light.So after scanning the Highlander it gave me the infamous code P0776 for a bad solenoid not engaging , so here’s what I did, I bought a set of all refurbished solenoids with warranty along with pan gasket and filter. After installing the solenoids, refilling the transmission with new ATF I took it out for a test drive.To my disappointment the issue did not go away. I scanned it once again but this time did not throw any codes or check engine light .I was almost sure the transmission was going bad and not a solenoid problem. I got in contact with my local jdm dealer and bought a used jdm transmission. Here’s the where I lost my mind and almost went crazy, the same problem occurs after installing a low mileage used jdm transmission.Weak take off from a complete stop and very harsh shifting as well as a very bad shift when it was put in reverse. Now after doing some research I came across technical domain and found out its possible to have an ECM problem. I got in contact with Richard, he explained to me the details of a service he offered that can get my ECM as good as new. I felt very trustworthy of him and his service so I decided to ship him my ECM. I experienced great communication with him thru texts and emails and received my ECM very quickly, the turnaround time was only 7 days, this includes the time I sent it out on my end. I installed my freshly serviced and reprogrammed ECM on our family Highlander and it’s running great! Jdm engine and transmission powered by a freshly serviced ECM thanks to Richard at Technical Domain 👍🏼 I recommend him to anyone and everyone.
Angel S Santiago
From: A. Santiago, Garner, North Carolina, USA
My daughter’s 2004 Highlander was having problems with very hard shifting from what appears 1st to 2nd (which later I learned that the transmission was really trying to start in 3rd and then a hard shift to 2nd) and an engine code P0776, which indicated problem with one of the selenoids. I tried flushing the transmission and changing the filter but that did not solve the problem. I checked the selenoids in the transmission with an ohm multimeter and all of them checked OK. Looking for a solution on line I found a thread in Toyota Nation that several people indicated that for this vehicle and others from Toyota during that period of time (2002 to 2009), 9 times out of 10 those problems were caused by a bad ECM, in simple words, the computer.
I found Technical Domain in a Google search, and after starting the order I changed my mind and found a Company in Ebay that would repair the ECM with fast turn around time. But once I placed the order they sent me an email indicating that it would take ten days to do the work. That time in addition to the shipping to and from the company would put the total time of shipping and repair into almost 3 weeks that I didn’t have since I was going to travel in 15 days.
When I received the email from the company I went back to Technical Domain and placed an order with them, after talking to its representative who assured me that the repair would not take more than day.
I shipped the EMC by Priority Mail with the USPS and Technical Domain received it four days later. They repaired the unit and shipped it back via USPS Priority Mail the next day. The estimated delivery date was 6 days later, but I received it 3 days later for a total turn around time of 8 days.
I installed the unit and the Highlander transmission is back working perfectly.
I was really impressed with the service and fast turn around time.
I recommend Technical Domain for anyone who needs an ECM unit repair. Include the vehicle VIN number and they will program it into the computer.
To Technical Domain, thanks for a your excellent service.
aszaki
Hi All,
I would like to comment on my recent service to repair my ECM for my Toyota Highlander.
The problem started with sudden rough shift on transmission between 1-2. Also, very rough shift to reverse. It produced a check engine light with solenoid 1 need replacement. I ordered the parts, got my Mechanic to replace the solenoid, checked all the wiring and change transmission oil. The problem persisted but the car was smoother after 2nd shift. I was very concerned that it could be the transmission. However, I always changed the Trans oil every 30K miles. So, my mechanic told me it could be the ECM. So, he took it out. It took 20 minutes to take it out behind glove box.
I looked online, and came across this service. I was apprehensive for a while at first because there was no reviews on Highlander but some reviews on RAV4. So, I called. Rick answered and gave me details on exactly what the problem is. I was very surprised because he described it accurately.
So, I mailed him the ECM on the same day (Wednesday afternoon) by priority mail. It arrived Friday which was a big surprise to me. Rick Txted me telling me it arrived and he will work on it right away. He fixed it, flashed the software and sent me detailed report on what he fixed.
It arrived (again to my surprise), on Monday. So, the turn around was really quick.
My mechanic installed the ECM and he drove the car for a bit to make it learn it again. I picked it up and drove it home, and it was shifting very smoothly.
I promised Rick to write this review because I was very impressed with how he responded to me and how courteous he is in taking the time to answer my questions (since I am an Engineer).
I would like to Thank him for this service and I highly recommend him for any ECM fix. The service is very professional. Kudos to priority mail for their fast service.