2004 Toyota Highlander - trouble starting

Maintenance/Repairs
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1

Car would not start as it normally does, seemed like a possible dead battery. I shook the shifter back and forth and vehicle started.
Noticed that the clock had set itself to 1 o clock, i reset clock to proper time. I shut the vehicle off and once again had to move the shift lever back and forth and then the vehicle started.
I noticed the clock once again had rest itself to 1 o clock again.
Any thoughts as to what is possibly wrong?..Thank-You.

2

Manual or automatic transmission ?

3

automatic transmission

4

Admittedly, this is not that likely as the cause of the problem, butā€¦
Does this Toyota have a remote start system?

I ask because my friendā€™s 2008 Rav has a genuine Toyota remote start system, and when it was malfunctioning, it led to all manner of bizarre electrical problemsā€“including the clock resetting itself.

5

Loose or corroded battery connections could cause this. Disconnect and clean the battery posts (with an inexpensive battery post tool, and the connectors, then re-tighten. Might work. If not do the basic alternator/battery check. Before first start of the day the battery should measure 12.6 volts. Immediately after starting the engine, 13.5-15.5 volts. A problematic transmission neutral safety switch may be involved also.

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6

MANY THANKS FOR ALL THE INPUT. BATTERY CONNECTIONS ARE CLEAN AND TIGHT. TOMORROW MORNING I WILL CHECK THE BATTERY CONDITION AS WELL AS CHECK TO SEE THAT THE ALTERNATOR IS DOING ITS JOBā€¦ANY AND ALL SUGGESTIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATEDā€¦Thank-Youā€¦

7

Iā€™m betting on neutral safety switch.

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8

Thanks for the commentā€¦We ll seeā€¦

9

Well the problem turned out to be a defective, worn battery. The battery tested out at 12.6 volts, BUTā€¦the cold cranking amps turned out to be 364ā€¦it should have been 795 cold cranking ampsā€¦Whewā€¦I m so glad that it s fixedā€¦MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO TRIED TO HELPā€¦GOD BLESS AND MANY THANKSā€¦

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10

Good diagnosis job there OP. Glad you are back on the road with a reliably cranking Highlander. BTW, Last time I bought a new battery for my Corolla I decided to try Walmartā€™s less expensive version, around $50, and it has been working reliably for close to 3 years now.

11

Thanks for the reply. Being that there is so much electronics, I went ahead and purchased a 5 year battery. Batteries here in Az. are known for a rapid deteriation factor because of the heat.
All is goodā€¦Take Careā€¦