2004 V8 Loss of Power at highway speed

Hi All,

I have been rather busy and away for bit so I haven’t had a chance to post but…

Around Xmas the weather was really bad for a few weeks, freezing rain, rain, then the temperature would drop minus 40 Celsius and everything would obviously freeze solid. Anyways, I was driving at 100 km/h down the main highway which was in perfect condition since it was a sunny day for a change, when all of a sudden, I started to slow down. I pressed the gas pedal down, the RPM’s went up a bit, then back down to 1800 rpm or so. I was still slowing down, 90, 80 70, then at 60 km/h, I figured I would have to get off the highway immediately. When I made it to the off ramp I heard a cracking sound out of the back right corner, I looked in the mirror and saw tons of shards of ice go flying. I figure it came from the wheel well. After that, there was NO problem at all. I still cam to a stop to investigate and other then a slight smell of something like burning plastic, I couldn’t see any other problem.

I am assuming that the traction control or skid control thought that I was ‘skidding’ and applied the ABS but, the yellow warning skid control light didn’t come on and I didn’t ‘think’ I felt the brakes be applied. Also, at that point I was driving for 15 minutes on completely dry pavement at 100 km/h, and before that was driving on side roads for 20 minutes.

Could a piece of ice get caught between the wheel well and the tire and confuse the computer? I couldn’t see how considering the speed and sheer force that would be applied to the ice?

I didn’t lock the center differential to turn off the traction control, to be honest I didn’t think of it at the time. Then again, I am not sure I would want to apply it at 80 km/h on dry pavement! 

Can one of you think of what might have occurred?

Very perplexed,

The Feral

Scary stuff! I wonder if your trip on the local roads before the highway managed to build up enough ice between the tire and the mudflap to create some resistance and thereby confuse the ATRAC and VSC systems?

I just cant see how a piece of ice that gets trapped between the wheel well and the tire could confuse the computer, yet i cant think of any other explanation.

I cant see the ice slowing down the one tire, thereby causing the computer to think that the OTHER 3 tires where slipping causing the computer to apply the brakes to the 3 tires.

I think the VSC system would illuminate

If you got a piece of ice in between the tire and the wheel well, causing some friction against the tire, the VSC system should illuminate... Did you feel the vehicle pulling to one side or the other? It is unusual that something like that would happen, but not impossible, but it would most likely be all 4, not just one. One side building up would almost indicate that a specific tire was slipping and throwing snow/ice into the well.

Also, when you pulled off and smelled the burning smell did it smell like the brake pads? Aren't the runners equipment with ceramic pads? Your other 3 wheels should be coated with that nice black dust if you were driving that long with the brakes being applied...

You could always take it to the dealer and see if they will check the codes to see if there is any record of a malfunction of the VSC or ATRAC systems.

The VSC light did not illuminate and the vehicle didnt pull to any side, nor did i 'feel' the brakes be applied.

As an aside, I definately know the feeling of the VSC applying the brakes, seeing its winter.. and... occasionally when driving and the road is empty... and snow or ice covered... i floor it when turning corners. I never owner a 4wd before and doing power slides in 4wd is rather fun. Speaking of that, there was no beeping which also occurs when the VSC is engaged.

When i pulled over i didnt notice any black residue on any of the wheels, but i stupidly didint feel the discs to see if they were warm. One would assume they would have been if the brakes were engaged for a while. However, I did put my hand on the tires and they were all cold

To be honest, i coulnt place the smell. I am no expert, but i have smelt various car smells before. If the discs are ceramic, they would most likely emit a different kind of smell and maybe thats why i coulndt identify it.

I am fairly close to my next oil check up so i will go in and ask about that. i didnt realize that the computer would record those type of things.

don't feel those discs...

The pads are always dragging lightly on the discs, so those discs will be extremely hot to touch (definitely will burn your fingers).

Sounds like one of those anomolies (like Big Foot) which you have once but hope to never see again

Keep us posted what you find...

You need to move to a warmer climate I would quit running if it was that cold.

Any chance you forgot to release the emergency brake before you commenced driving.

I remember on the thrid day I owned the Runner I was driving around the suburban roads for about 15minutes, playing with the radio and watching the road (intermitently: ). I got onto the freeway and as I started increasing speed all of a sudden there was a horrible sound and I was sure I had broken a drive shaft or similar.

I pulled off the freeway and as I went to apply the emergency brake I realised it was already depressed

I got out and checked around the Runner and could see nothing major other than notice the smell of the brakes.

Just an idea.

no, i definately didnt have the emergency brake on.

I havent had the problem since, so i hope it was just a fluke!

As far as moving out of the cold... i would love too! This winter has sucked!!! Its my first winter with the 4runner and was looking forward to playing in the snow and... this year we have probably had the LEAST amount of snow in decades!!

Oh well, we seem to get nailed in march with heavy snow storms... so lets hope...

wouldnt you know it... March 1 and we got nailed with almost a foot of snow... the same day i had planned to go skiing with friends.

Lets just say we took a detour and had fun in the snow.

Man does the 4runner climb steep snowy hills well with BFG at/ko's!!

Was it the front right wheel well?

No, it was the right rear.

I mention it because the engine air intake vent is inside the front right wheel well, and it may have been covered with ice as well.

I never even thought of that.

That being said, I dont think it would have been the air intake. The engine's rpm where constant and it wasnt sputtering or anything.

Thanks for the idea though!

had a similar experience recently, though the rpm refused to go abbove 1500 or so..speed 30mph, turned off the engine..restarted and it driove fine, happened 2 more times on a 130mile drive.

i have a pending p420 code and a p0430 code that only comes up on highway drives.
could this e related?