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 If it is outdated, we will install the latest update available from Toyota for your specific ECM.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.
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.