2003 Toyota Highlander 4 CYL blows black smoke on startup!

The head gaskets blow out due to the head bolts pulling out of the block resulting in stripped threads on most of the holes in the block, there is no recall even though this is a known problem, Toyota did fix some of them under the normal power train warranty of 5 years/60,000 miles. There are several videos and instructions on how some people fixed this problem without replacing the engine block. In any case it's a very expensive repair,.

Rear

Cruise controls use Vacuum from the inlet manifold to operate the throttle linkage for cruising. If the hose that supplies the vacuum is not tight on the connections at either end, due to getting hard and/or splitting, the unit will not have enough vacuum to operate the linkage. Check the hose that supplies the cruise control, as well as all the hoses used for pollution control in the engine bay for poor connections. They should be tight, not hard or split and not be able to be removed easily.

Sounds like a bad head gasket, Your going to have to get that fix as soon as possible. The coolant that is mixing in with your oil is corrosive to the internal engine bearing as if left in there to long will cause you to have a new engine installed and not just the head gasket replaced.
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2000 toyota highlander just had oil changed and VSC lightis on.
what to do

Highlander 2001-2007 4 Cylinder has a timing Chain

after 100,000 miles you have wear in the transmission and rear end gears and bearings, it is not normal but it is not a real problem that can cause a breakdown, to fix this you could spend upwards of $3000.00, so in my opinion just live with it.

Reset the light by holding the trip odometer in while turning the ignition key on.(do not crank engine)Keep holding the trip button till the light blinks. This normally is shown in your car's handbook.

Google JDM Auto parts ie Japanese Domestic Market you can have one shipped to you.

Depending on the color of the smoke.....

Blue smoke = Burnt oil (Valve steam oilseals)
To fix you need them replaced can be done without removing the head.

Black smoke = Too much fuel (Running rich)
Tune-up replace air filter.

If its a turbo it could be the seals in the turbo but i doubt it as it stops smoking.
Hope this helps , Please rate me as feedback does help.