# 2004 Toyota Highlander - trouble starting **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** toyota, highlander\ **Created:** [August 25, 2019, 2:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-highlander-trouble-starting/147431 "2019-08-25T02:43:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GregBrowning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GregBrowning](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GregBrowning)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 2:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-highlander-trouble-starting/147431/1 "2019-08-25T02:43:09Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 10:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-highlander-trouble-starting/147431/2 "2019-08-25T10:52:35Z")
Manual or automatic transmission ? ---
**Author:** ![GregBrowning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GregBrowning](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GregBrowning)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-highlander-trouble-starting/147431/3 "2019-08-25T15:58:32Z")
automatic transmission ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 4:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-highlander-trouble-starting/147431/4 "2019-08-25T16:05:46Z")
Admittedly, this is not that likely as the cause of the problem, but… Does this Toyota have a remote start system? I ask because my friend’s 2008 Rav has a _genuine_ Toyota remote start system, and when it was malfunctioning, it led to all manner of bizarre electrical problems–including the clock resetting itself. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 8:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-highlander-trouble-starting/147431/5 "2019-08-25T20:20:59Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![GregBrowning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GregBrowning](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GregBrowning)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 12:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-highlander-trouble-starting/147431/6 "2019-08-26T00:39:34Z")
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 JOB…ANY AND ALL SUGGESTIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED…Thank-You… ---
**Author:** ![CapitalTruck](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/capitaltruck/32/16592_2.png) [@CapitalTruck](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CapitalTruck)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 1:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-highlander-trouble-starting/147431/7 "2019-08-26T01:08:34Z")
I’m betting on neutral safety switch. ---
**Author:** ![GregBrowning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GregBrowning](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GregBrowning)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 12:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-highlander-trouble-starting/147431/8 "2019-08-26T12:02:38Z")
Thanks for the comment…We ll see… ---
**Author:** ![GregBrowning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GregBrowning](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GregBrowning)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 4:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-highlander-trouble-starting/147431/9 "2019-08-26T16:29:31Z")
Well the problem turned out to be a defective, worn battery. The battery tested out at 12.6 volts, BUT…the cold cranking amps turned out to be 364…it should have been 795 cold cranking amps…Whew…I m so glad that it s fixed…MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO TRIED TO HELP…GOD BLESS AND MANY THANKS… ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 2:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-highlander-trouble-starting/147431/10 "2019-08-27T02:12:19Z")
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 Walmart’s less expensive version, around $50, and it has been working reliably for close to 3 years now. ---
**Author:** ![GregBrowning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GregBrowning](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GregBrowning)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 11:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-toyota-highlander-trouble-starting/147431/11 "2019-08-27T11:40:49Z")
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 good…Take Care…