What are the symptoms of a faulty fuel injector in the Highlander?
3 Answers
When the fuel injector in the Highlander malfunctions, it can lead to increased engine carbon deposits, unstable idling, higher fuel consumption, sluggish acceleration, difficulty starting, and excessive emissions. Below are specific details about the Highlander: 1. Vehicle Positioning: The Highlander is a large-sized SUV produced by Toyota. 2. Configuration: It is equipped with a 6.1-inch central control display screen, flanked by physical buttons, supporting a basic Bluetooth multimedia entertainment system. It also features the TSS (Toyota Safety Sense) intelligent safety assist system, which includes PCS (Pre-Collision System), DRCC (Dynamic Radar Cruise Control), LDA (Lane Departure Alert), and AHB (Automatic High Beam) functions. 3. Chassis: The Highlander uses a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear double-wishbone independent suspension.
The symptoms of a faulty Highlander fuel injector are quite noticeable. The most direct thing I felt was severe engine shaking, especially during startup or low-speed idling, where even the steering wheel vibrated, making it feel like sitting on a massage chair but without any comfort. Then, fuel consumption increased significantly—previously, a full tank could last 500 kilometers, but now it struggles to reach 400 kilometers, leading to higher expenses. Acceleration became particularly sluggish; even with the pedal floored, the speed wouldn’t pick up, and climbing hills was even more challenging. Once, the engine light came on, and I immediately had it checked—sure enough, the trouble code indicated a fuel injection issue. This problem can easily lead to incomplete combustion, causing black smoke from the exhaust pipe and increased harmful emissions. If you notice these signs, get it checked as soon as possible to avoid minor issues escalating into major repairs, which could compromise driving safety.
If the fuel injector is faulty, the Highlander will run rough in various ways. At idle, the engine speed fluctuates unstably, and you can even feel the body shaking when stopped at a red light. Fuel consumption increases significantly - I've calculated an extra 1-2 liters per 100 km, which hits the wallet hard. Acceleration becomes sluggish with delayed throttle response, making overtaking dangerous. The constant engine warning light is an alarm signal, possibly accompanied by strange odors or noises. Ignoring it long-term can damage the catalytic converter, causing repair costs to skyrocket. It's recommended to first check fuses and wiring connections yourself. If that doesn't work, replace the fuel injector. Regular cleaning during maintenance can prevent many such issues.
