I live in a northern Canadian climate...which is super cold this time of year. All was well with my 04 4Runner until the cord came apart for my block heater. The battere went dead. I had some other minor things going on such as a fuse that was gone and some head lights that weren't fixed when the new bulbs were installed. We put the battery charger on it over night and still it would not start. The lights on the dash came on but just clicking as I tried to start it.My boyfriend boosted the 4runner in order to get it into the garage. He installed a new battery and it started but it seems to be in a limp mode or a fail safe mode. We called the dealership here to see how to reset it..but they seem to think this doesn't exsist! I have done some reading and know that it is common for toyotas to enter this mode. Needless to say i'm not placing a lot of faith in them repairing my rig!Please help...i'm lost without my car!Thanks so much!Girliegirl

I've heard of individual systems going into a fail-safe mode, but not the car as a whole.

This thread will walk through some things you need to do when the battery is disconnected, but that's all minor stuff like power windows - nothing that would affect driving the vehicle.

What other problems are you seeing? Any specific indicator lights?

Well my boyfriend seems to think it might be a security feature...like the car thought someone was trying to steal it?

I have read that others have had the same issues after replacing a battery.

But thanks for that info!

My question is what makes you think its in a safe mode disconnecting the battery and putting a new one in won't put it in a fail safe mode. When you try and start it you say it just makes a click and nothing this could be a couple of problems first make sure the starter is good it could also be your main relay is bad. Starter relay, to much resistance on a battery cable, or low battery voltage cuased by a grounding issue draining the battery. Toyota's don't usually go into safe mode unless the ecu senses problems, have you pulled codes, or are any check engine lights on. Good Luck let us know what you find.

I just loaded my 4 runner on a flat bed to the dealer. Limp mode. i replaced the battery after a dead start, 30 mins with the radio, stock system. then started it and it needed a jump. jumped it and it only crawls like 5 miles an hour. no acceleration. It shifts really hard, and VSC and TC lights and check engine lights were on again. i took it in to the dealer to get the codes checked, and after driving my car and recharging the battery, they told me everthing was working fine. i had charged the battery by leaving it on for like 45 mins and a 30 min drive on the freeway. so i delivered it to them with a full battery, but it seems that after small amperage draws, it wont start. but my 2006 4runner has a limp mode, at least it starts and you are able to move it, but not drive it.