Replacing Fuel Injectors In 2002 Toyota Highlander 4-Cylinder Engines

how to replace fuel injector 2002 toyota highlander 4 cylinder

If you're experiencing issues with your 2002 Toyota Highlander 4-cylinder, you may need to replace the fuel injectors. Fuel injectors regulate the amount of fuel sprayed into the engine cylinders, and when they fail or clog, it can cause engine power to reduce, and the engine may stall or fail to start. While it's not recommended to replace fuel injectors yourself, there are a number of steps you can take to diagnose the issue. This might include relieving fuel pressure, disconnecting the negative battery terminal, removing the engine cover and air intake duct, and disconnecting electrical connectors. You can also purchase a wide range of affordable, genuine Toyota Highlander Fuel Injectors online.

Characteristics Values
Average cost for replacement Between $1,374 and $1,575
Labor costs Between $346 and $437
Part costs Between $1,028 and $1,138
Fuel injector function Spray fuel into the engine cylinder in the correct amount for the current load of the engine as per the specification of the air-fuel mixture
Fuel injector issues Poor idle, rough running of the engines with low power, poor fuel economy, damaging catalytic converters and oxygen sensors
Fuel injector lifespan Tend to fail after 80,000 miles
Fuel injector maintenance Clean the fuel delivery system and injectors
Symptoms of a bad fuel injector Engine power is reduced, misfires occur, the check engine light turns on, the engine may stall immediately after starting, fail to start, hesitate under throttle or vibrate roughly
Fuel injector replacement Not a DIY job, leave to a professional

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Disconnect the negative battery terminal

Disconnecting the negative battery terminal is one of the first steps to take when replacing the fuel injectors on a 2002 Toyota Highlander 4-cylinder. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Step 1: Before you begin, gather the necessary tools and safety equipment. You will need a wrench or socket set, gloves, and eye protection.

Step 2: Locate the negative battery terminal. It is usually marked with a "-" symbol and is typically black. It is often found on the left side of the battery, but this may vary depending on your vehicle's make and model.

Step 3: Once you have located the negative battery terminal, use your wrench or socket set to loosen the nut that secures the cable to the terminal. Do not remove the nut completely; simply loosen it enough so that you can detach the cable.

Step 4: Carefully disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal. Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection during this step to avoid any potential hazards.

Step 5: Set the cable aside, ensuring that it does not touch any metal parts of the car, as this could cause a short circuit.

Step 6: Check that the cable is not frayed or damaged. If it is, replace it with a new one before proceeding.

Step 7: At this point, you can continue with the next steps to replace the fuel injectors. Remember to exercise caution when working with fuel and electrical systems, and always refer to a qualified mechanic if you are unsure about any part of the process.

By following these steps, you will be able to safely disconnect the negative battery terminal on your 2002 Toyota Highlander 4-cylinder, which is an important first step when performing fuel injector replacement or other maintenance tasks.

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Remove the engine cover and air intake duct

To remove the engine cover and air intake duct of a 2002 Toyota Highlander 4-cylinder, you will need to follow a few steps. Firstly, relieve the fuel pressure and disconnect the negative battery terminal. This is an important safety precaution to avoid any accidents.

Next, you will need to physically remove the engine cover and air intake duct. This may involve disconnecting electrical connectors and removing any components that are in the way, such as the strut brace and intake manifold. Be sure to keep track of the order in which you remove these parts so you can reassemble them correctly later.

Once the engine cover and air intake duct are removed, you will have better access to the fuel injectors for replacement. Remember to exercise caution when working with fuel and electrical systems, and always refer to a qualified mechanic if you are unsure about any part of the process.

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Disconnect electrical connectors and remove the fuel supply line

To disconnect the electrical connectors and remove the fuel supply line from your 2002 Toyota Highlander 4-cylinder, follow these steps:

First, relieve the fuel pressure and disconnect the negative battery terminal. This is an important safety precaution to avoid any accidental sparks or electrical shorts. Next, remove the engine cover and air intake duct if they obstruct your access to the fuel injectors.

Now, locate the electrical connectors for the fuel injectors. These should be plugged into the fuel injectors or the fuel rail, which is the metal tube that the injectors are mounted on. Carefully disconnect these electrical connectors. They may have clips or locks that you need to depress or unlatch before you can fully detach them. Be sure not to drop anything into the engine bay, as retrieving lost parts can be difficult.

With the electrical connectors safely disconnected, you can now remove the fuel supply line. This is the line that carries fuel from the fuel pump or tank to the fuel injectors. It may be secured to the fuel rail or injectors with clamps or quick-disconnect fittings. Loosen any clamps and fully detach the fuel supply line from the fuel rail or injectors. Be prepared to catch any residual fuel that may spill from the line with a clean, absorbent cloth.

Once the fuel supply line is removed, set it aside in a safe place, away from any potential sources of ignition. You may now proceed with lifting the fuel rail and injectors as a single assembly, replacing the O-rings as necessary.

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Lift the fuel rail and injectors as one assembly

To lift the fuel rail and injectors as one assembly, start by relieving the fuel pressure and disconnecting the negative battery terminal. Next, remove the engine cover and air intake duct if necessary. Disconnect the electrical connectors and remove the fuel supply line and fuel rail mounting bolts. Now, lift the fuel rail and injectors as a single assembly, replacing the O-rings if necessary.

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Remove the strut brace and intake manifold

To remove the strut brace and intake manifold of a 2002 Toyota Highlander 4-cylinder, you'll need to follow a detailed process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the procedure:

Step 1: Prepare the Vehicle

  • Ensure the engine is completely cool before beginning any work.
  • Relieve the fuel system pressure and disconnect the cable from the negative terminal of the battery.
  • Remove the engine cover.

Step 2: Accessing the Intake Manifold

  • Disconnect the PCV hose from the valve cover.
  • Disconnect the ground strap, ACIS system components, electrical connectors, and vacuum lines from the upper intake manifold. Label each connector to ensure proper reassembly.
  • Remove the throttle body mounting nuts.
  • Unbolt and remove the upper intake manifold brace(s) at the back of the upper intake manifold assembly.

Step 3: Removing the Strut Brace and Intake Manifold

  • Remove the bolts and nuts mounting the upper intake manifold to the lower intake manifold.
  • Carefully lift and separate the upper intake manifold from the throttle body and lower intake manifold.
  • Disconnect the strut bar between the two shock towers.
  • Unbolt and remove the strut brace and, if necessary, the throttle body brace at the back of the upper intake manifold.

Now that the strut brace and intake manifold are removed, you can proceed with replacing the fuel injectors or performing any other required maintenance. Remember to follow the steps in reverse for reassembly, ensuring a proper connection of all components.

Frequently asked questions

When a fuel injector fails or clogs, engine power is reduced and misfires will occur. The check engine light will turn on and, as the issue progresses, the engine may stall immediately after starting, fail to start, hesitate under throttle or vibrate roughly.

It is not recommended to drive a vehicle with a fuel injector problem. These issues can cause the car to stall every few moments and accelerate unpredictably, creating a hazard. If the problem is bad enough, the vehicle may not even start.

On average, fuel injectors tend to fail after 80,000 miles and require little maintenance. To prolong the life of the fuel injectors, follow the scheduled maintenance schedule for cleaning the fuel delivery system and injectors.

The average cost for a Toyota Highlander Fuel Injector Replacement is between $1,374 and $1,575. Labor costs are estimated between $346 and $437 while parts are priced between $1,028 and $1,138.

The part number for the fuel injector set for the 2002 Toyota Highlander 4-cylinder is 23209-28080.

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