2005 highlander want to add remote lock

Trying to figure out if I DO or DO NOT need the bypass to add remote locks to my 2005 highlander. I have a 2005 w/the V6 engine & 4WD & the 3rd row (this was optional in 2005). I have the basic model car otherwise & do not have automatic locks - this is something I would like to add to my car. Since I live in the Midwest, I thought I'd get the remote starter installed also - and everyone is telling me I need the bypass installed which runs around $80-100 A DOOR - just for the remote door locks & not including the auto start! I do drive kids & it would be nice, but I am looking for a cheaper way. 2 of my 3 buttons on the left side of the steering wheel are blank. I bought this used & the dealership ran the VIN when I bought it & said that there is #1 no chip in my key & #2 it was not missing a remote - it was never installed.

Does anyone have any insight on this?

I am ignorant on a most of this including the features of your vehicle, but I am pretty confident that you don't need a "bypass" in the chip sense.

Do you have a button in the car that will lock all of the doors when the car is off? If so, adding the locking should be relatively easy.

First, a bypass is for bypassing the immobilizer key,and has nothing to do with locking the doors. If you are stating your car has no power locks at all then the cost per door is to add actuators to make them power. If this is the case then 80 to 100 is not unheard of for dealer pricing. I have never seen a Highlander with no power locks, didn't know they made them. As for the auto start, i think only the Limited needed a bypass for immobilizer.

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Mike M2
Tech Manager
CS Dealer Services

After checking www.about.com they state power locks as standard on all 2005 Highlanders. Are you saying you do NOT have a switch on the window control that locks ALL doors at the same time?

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Mike M2
Tech Manager
CS Dealer Services

Thanks for the speedy reply - I do have a lock that will lock all my doors, on the drivers side. What I want is to be able to walk to my car with a remote, and unlock the doors. This is especially helpful because we get sleet/super cold temps & opening the outside of my door manually, sometimes the lock freezes & I can't get in my car.

You say that all 2005 highlanders have automatic door locks - does this mean I can get a remote & program it to my car?

Just because all Highlanders have factory power door locks, does not mean that they all had factory keyless entry.

Besides, by the time you buy an (expensive) factory remote and pay the dealership to program it to the car, you're already halfway toward having an aftermarket remote start/keyless system professionally installed.

How many keys do you have for this Highlander?

Since you have power locks i don't know what your dealer is telling you. Keyless entry with remote start requires no extra parts(other than a few relays) and is an install any good installer can do in well under 2 hours. The door lock connection is a little different as it not only requires negative pulses it also needs to interrupt a third wire and all this takes place in the drivers door. There are data modules that do this for you so you need not go in the door for anything, but i personally think it is just as much work to wire it up either way. Maybe you should just get it installed at a local shop...

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Mike M2
Tech Manager
CS Dealer Services

You can get a unit that does remote locking, starting, and also add alarm for about $400 installed. You could get a lesser unit for less.

What the experienced installer can do for 1 or 2 hours of labor will probably be more than what an inexperienced person would take 10 or 20 hours for. So unless you think this will be a fun thing, or you are really trying to be frugal, a local alarm place can probably give you good value.

One of the things that the installer will do is to hook into the wires that go to that lock/unlock switch to let the unit remotely control the action.

Regarding just the frozen locks, injecting isopropyl Heet (red container) into the lock (maybe mixed with a little ethylene glycol antifreeze) before very cold weather will displace water. Many recommend WD-40 for that. They also sell little containers for locks for the purpose.