1997 4Runner

[Takemetotheriver]

My automatic 1997 4Runner a just stalled and died on my while driving at slow speeds. Wouldn't crank over after(starter just clicked), and battery seems weak when putting on hazards and rolling up windows. Battery actually started acting weak the past couple days with Windows and crank power on start. Any ideas what it may be? I replaced the contacts on the starter a couple years ago, could that cause it to stall and die? Could they have failed and caused this, or more likely an alternator, battery, coil, or wire issue. Could it be a fuel issue in conjunction with an electrical problem?Any advice would be appreciated as to where I should start looking and what I should start replacing. Thanks for the advice in advance.

 

[mtbtim]

Your alternator could be bad. When it's not charging the battery anymore, you'll eventually drain the battery and you won't have enough volts to run the vehicle and it will die.

I think some auto parts stores will test your alternator for free but I can't remember if they can do it when it's still attached to the motor or you have to pull it out and hook it up to the special machine they have inside the store. I'd call around to your local auto parts stores and see if they can help you test it.

 

[jgue467]

I would ask how old the battery is? Most don't make it past 3-4 yrs in severe cold or heat.

I'd give it a quick voltage test, must be at least 12.7 volts, if not its weak either due to age or poor charging as already stated. If it 'passes' this test then I'd take to your favorite auto zone or walmart to have the battery Load tested, where they check how much current it can push to start. Then go from there on what is found. Luck. :cowboy:

 

[lbhsbz]

Jumpstart it and put a voltmeter on the battery, if you see less than 13V with the engine running, you need an alternator. Fully charge the battery before firing it up with new alternator.

 

[JudeThaddeus]

My automatic 1997 4Runner a just stalled and died on my while driving at slow speeds. Wouldn't crank over after(starter just clicked), and battery seems weak when putting on hazards and rolling up windows. Battery actually started acting weak the past couple days with Windows and crank power on start. Any ideas what it may be? I replaced the contacts on the starter a couple years ago, could that cause it to stall and die? Could they have failed and caused this, or more likely an alternator, battery, coil, or wire issue. Could it be a fuel issue in conjunction with an electrical problem?Any advice would be appreciated as to where I should start looking and what I should start replacing. Thanks for the advice in advance.

Were your headlights or radio on when this happened? Did they dim or stop working? If so, your alternator or voltage regulator has died which drained your battery and stalled out the truck. To confirm this, Auto Zone can test the alternator under load. I believe the alternator has to be out of the vehicle to do this however (don't quote me on that). Make sure to have them test it more than once. I usually have them run the test three times. If it fails even once, it's kaput.