2001 4runner shut off while driving

[ironsights]

About a month ago, I left an ~8 hour meeting, got in my 4runner, let it idle for about 5 minutes then took off. Not 1000 feet down the road, the Check Engine, Battery, and Oil light came on and the car stopped. All the electrical worked fine, and the engine cranked but wouldn't turn over. I called AAA, and while on the phone, just out of frustration I tried to turn it back on, and it fired up just fine and I was able to get home. Once home, AAA sent a battery guy out to check on my battery because I noticed some corrosion on the actual battery itself, but the reading came back good.

My gas tank was almost empty (low tank light came on about 10 miles down the highway), the car had been sitting in the sun for a while, and I had my AC on full blast, but none of those have ever been issues in the past. I finally got some time this weekend and checked all the electrical connections and cleaned up my battery to looking new, and everything seems fine. I drove it to the store and back today and nothing seemed off Does anybody have any ideas about what may have happened?

 

[gamefreakgc]

Some 4Runners have faulty fuel gauges, yours might be one of them. I suggest not letting the tank get below 1/4 or use the trip odometer every time you fill up and don't go past 250 miles if highway, 225 if city.

Also double-check all grounds and look to replace your battery in the next year. Just because it reads good volts doesn't mean it's still good. I had a battery do that in my old Toyota, it would start fine but if I left lights on or any accessory for 10 minutes it was dead. Was all blue and corroded on top, the acid had leaked out.

 

[holen01]

This use to happen to me. I cleaned my throttle body out, which had so much gunk in it and the problem went away. Hopefully its something that simple for you. Good luck

 

[Tinigunner11]

This has happened to me as well. More so when it’s hot outside and I sit with the a/c on for 5 minutes or more. Not sure what the problem is but I suspect something with the throttle body or idle air control valve. I haven’t pulled it apart yet to check what’s the cause. I’ve just been not letting the truck sit idle.

 

[ironsights]

Thanks for the help guys, I'll look into the throttle body.