Wow, it is quite expensive looks like it is a 7.2 Hrs labor and the cable it self is $325 so if you find a Toyota specialist instead of dealer you may save couple bills but i am not sure if that will worth it tbh. I mean there is so many parts needs to be removed it is not even funny so i don't think you can get a big short cut. Just for curiosity i checked the 3rd gen and it is even worse now it is 8.2 hrs. Good luck man.

 

$325 for a cable, and 7+ hours to replace.
First the cable must be made of pure unobtanium
(Unobtainium: Most expensive stuff in the universe)
Second, the guy who did the job for the flat rate manual
had been readying himself for the ordeal by drinking
himself into a stupor every morning & evening for two weeks.

2 weeks ago I needed a new half shaft (CV joint) for my Avalon.
Mr. Service guy at NTB told me it was a tricky job,
so labor quote was frankly high at $425, plus the part at $210.
I stopped at Advance Auto - part was $89.23
Guy at counter suggested I go to his cousin's garage.
I dropped in, got it done for $225 parts & labor.
Watched the process.
Total elapsed actual work time: 1 guy and about 45 minutes

Get a clue, there's a reason they call them $tealers!

Talk to a good mechanic, and if all it needs is grease
& a new cable-end, find someone to weld a new
cable- end on, and grease up the assembly.

 

09 Highlander hybrid shifter getting very hard to move.

Diagnostic advice anyone???

200,000 miles. We have been getting hammered with snow but this isn't an issue of just cold hard to shift....It's just as challenging when warm.

You have to press hard on the brake and you can move it but it has more resistance. When it's in drive it doesnt always catch and I have to juggle it....

How to I move forward to determine what's going on?

Shift cable?

Shifter solinoid ?

Battery cap blocking the shift cable?? (I've read that)

How do I remove the shifter handle to remove the trim?

 

**we replaced the shift cable ($1500) and it took care of the issue. Our 2008 Highlander Hybrid has 185,0000 miles on, great vehicle. 100% worth the money spent. It had been going bad for a long time. The cost is high due to the labor, they have to take the dash apart. About 8 hours of labor. We took ours to the Toyota dealership.

 

Shifter knob - it's in the console, right? - you simply twist off. Trim should be clipped in, you need trim removal kit, Harbor Freight, it's like 6 bucks, very useful.

 

Is this the best forum for this? Can I repost in 08 and newer Highlander forum?

 

I say you should. HyHi-s are ridiculously reliable cars and not much going on here repairs wise.

My wild guess will be cable needs to be removed and lubricated though when you mentioned that you really need to step onto brake pedal, it may be brake pedal sensor.

 

I have a problem like this with my 2008 HiH.It goes very hard between the gears, no matter how hard i depress the break pedal. Also, i can not go to B. I go with the stick over there, but it is not staying there and it does not switch from D to B light. . So no B for me..... I bought it like this...
Any ideea ... ??

 

We just took out 2008 Hybrid Highlander to the local Toyota dealership for service. Repair/replace: replace shift cable.

Last year, we replaced the bushing after having the same issues(difficulty shifting into drive), and lubricating the shift cable.

We began having the same issues about 60 days ago, but shifting into drive became even more difficult than last year and while stopped at a stop light the vehicle slipped out of gear into neutral. We also began having issues if we were parked on an incline shifting into drive.

The cost to replace $1550. Our Highlander has 180,600 miles and has been one of the most reliable vehicles I’ve ever owned next to my Nissan Maxima. We decided to have the repair made.

 

My 08 HiHy (228K) had same issue after a couple winters in Syracuse. I was quoted same for cable R&R, but mechanic was able to access where cable ball end meets transmission, clean and lubricate. Apparently road elements/spray have a pretty direct path to it. Shifter worked fine for about 16K miles over winter, then started to stick again. Repeat clean and lube, and it works fine again. They recommended clean and lubricate every 2-3 months during winter months. Good luck!

 

Any update on this solution? My 09 Highlander Hybrid is hard to shift from Park to Drive and keep it in drive. Then, vice versa placing it into Park. When trying to start the car to drive next time it won’t start since it’s not being placed into Park previously. I tried to wiggle it just right etc and this only happens when it is cooler outside...under 40 degrees or so.

 

Ok great news everyone. This is an easy solution!

Don't take apart the interior or mess around with the shifter in the center console! (i did that first)

The problem resides outside the car in an incredibly easy place to get to.

Its under the car near the front bumper (hybrid at least).

The shifter linkage comes off the cvt and its a linkage on a ball that moves when you move the shifter. It has a little rubber accordian boot on it.

It corrodes and doesn't move freely.

Lie on your back with a can of wd40 and squirt this linkage.

Go into the car and move the shifter back and forth to work it into there.

You can have an assistant shift while you spray too.

You will be AMAZED at how simple this frustrating problem is to get restored to normal original functionality.

Mine seems to need lube every 12 months in the fall.... I did it last year this time and i just this week noticed i need to do it again with temps in the 30s and 40s.

Once i lube it up im good.

I sprayed with wd40 or pb blaster to loosen up the crude them i hit it with silicon spray to lubricate it last year.

Wd40 is truely a solvent not a lube keep in mind.

I can try to get Pics if anyone needs them

 

Ok great news everyone. This is an easy solution!

Don't take apart the interior or mess around with the shifter in the center console! (i did that first)

The problem resides outside the car in an incredibly easy place to get to.

Its under the car near the front bumper (hybrid at least).

The shifter linkage comes off the cvt and its a linkage on a ball that moves when you move the shifter. It has a little rubber accordian boot on it.

It corrodes and doesn't move freely.

Lie on your back with a can of wd40 and squirt this linkage.

Go into the car and move the shifter back and forth to work it into there.

You can have an assistant shift while you spray too.

You will be AMAZED at how simple this frustrating problem is to get restored to normal original functionality.

Mine seems to need lube every 12 months in the fall.... I did it last year this time and i just this week noticed i need to do it again with temps in the 30s and 40s.

Once i lube it up im good.

I sprayed with wd40 or pb blaster to loosen up the crude them i hit it with silicon spray to lubricate it last year.

Wd40 is truely a solvent not a lube keep in mind.

I can try to get Pics if anyone needs them

PLEASE! Pictures would be appreciated very much. My car is in the second shop as the first couldn't get it into park and refused to do anything. The second is currently looking over the shifter rod and seeing if a fix on that would work. The alternative he mentioned...removing the tranny to disconnect it since it's placed right in the middle for at least $2,500 !!!

 

After talking to the mechanic, the first remedy he tried was to spray the linkage as he saw rust underneath. Unfortunately, this wasn't a solution for our own car.

 

hello,please somebody post photos of that rubber boot or location what need to repair.thx

 

Just posted photo for you

 

hello,my 2008 hihy hybrid have a problem-sticky /hard to move selecting gears with selector this winter.Earlier i saw some posts about this issue and how to fix it,but no one doesn't tell where is that location exactly is.What need to lube,where is that rubber boots or something else.Can anybody explain what need to lube,and add pics where is IT?Because dealer want earn so crazy money...need help....best regards friends!

 

You figure anything out yet? I'm experiencing the same issue with my mother-in-law's 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited. Also on one very cold morning it wouldn't go into gear. I'm hoping it's an easy fix like the other thread stated.

 

Also here's the link to the previous thread since there's some information in it. 09 Highlander hybrid shifter getting very hard to move. Diagnostic advice???

 

Here's another link talking about the same fix Shift linkage cable corrosion

 

i read them before write this?yeah they talk a lot ,but where is that location to lube?no location no pics....under front bumper there so many locations....is there some one who done this and have pics???

 

Have a friend shift while you look for the link. Make sure the emergency brake is holding good and the throttle is not accidentally hit BEFORE you get under the car.

 

Had the same problem used dura lube works great now thank you.

 

For those asking where is it located... It's located in the front of the car, driver's side, underneath. To access it, you have to take off the plastic cover under the front bumper. The "accordion" on the picture is positioned vertically.

 

I just started having a similar problem a few months ago. Noticeably harder to shift, but not always. Today, it seemed to go into "limp home" mode for my wife, and she couldn't get it out of the driveway. I played a little bit with it, not much luck. Tried pushing the shift lock button (the 'hidden' one) and maybe that was it. It worked well enough to get it back into place in the garage. ANYWAY, I crawled underneath to try to find the shift linkage boot so I could lube it as suggested. No luck. So here's my request:

*Can someone please describe the location of this linkage? Is it on the driver's side, centered, passenger side? As far back as the oil pan, further back, or more forward? The photo that Ned845 posted is somewhat helpful (I know what I'm looking for) but there isn't any clue as to the location - this could be at the back of the vehicle as far as anyone can tell. Did you need to jack up the car to see it?

Thanks in advance!

 

This is what I am seeing. Nothing that looks like a cable link/boot. This is just behind the radiator support cross-bar on the drivers side. To the front, things are hidden by a shroud. 2008 Highlander Hybrid Limited. 140k

 

Same question.

 

I have a 2008 Hih. We don't drive much same problem just removed the cable at trans installed a nut and spun it with an impact gun to free corrosion.

 

I have the same issue. Can someone share the exact location where to spray the lube please ?

 

I saw one picture that was helping but not super clear . Wondering if someone has another pic or video they can share for this issue ? My 2008 hihy is also exhibiting exactly this issue ..hard to shift into D even when warm.

Any other products work ? White lithium grease maybe or is that too thick ?