4Runner died while driving!

Dementedfish

Dementedfish

New member
I was driving north on I-25 the other night and my 4Runner without warning lost all power and wouldn't let me give it any gas. Had it towed home, and now when I attempt to start it, it dies. At first I thought it may be some fuel delivery issue but the car starts every time (even if just for a couple seconds) so it's holding some pressure. I then pulled the spark plugs and they're fine (do have some oil on them though which I found weird) and ran an OHM meter on the coil packs and those seem to be ok as well. A friend suggested it's possible that it's skipping a timing belt tooth which could be the issue as well. I'm hoping it's an easy fix because I'm really tempted to sell it and buy something else. Anyone have any suggestions? Here's a video of what happens when I attempt to start it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk1igLWk4yo
 
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I would first look at grounding issues. Shake the grounding wires by the batteries, and where the leads are going.

What you are describing really looks like a grounding issue, even if it's a long shot here with so few details.
 
I don't think this is electrical. It starts well.

How old is the fuel filter? It may be clogged. Get an OEM fuel filter.
 
I replaced the fuel filter 500 miles ago, so I know it's not that. Checked the MAF sensor and it seems to be fine, no CELs.
 
If you've recently cleaned your TB check the IAC. Do a search on IAC here and see if the symptoms match.

I stalled at highway speed and couldn't get her to keep running.
 
I had this exact problem. Entered a highway a gave some gas to merge and all the sudden no throttle response. Then it just died. Would start then immediately die. Had it towed home. Next morning same thing. Thought it was fuel pump. Pressure tested fine. I then tried to start it and gave it gas (something your not supposed to do with fuel injection) It started and seemed to want to stay running longer. I repeated this about 3x, each time stayed running a little longer, then all of the sudden it started and ran perfectly fine. Never had that issue again. I had just cleaned the throttle body. I think the IAC was a fault for this somehow, but I was never sure.
 
The more and more I think about it, I think it may be a bad fuel pump but I won't know for sure until I test it. What is the easiest way to test to see if the fuel pump is going bad?
 
Pressure testing on a 3rd gen requires special equipment.

My fuel pump started acting up but only after it got hot. Turned out to be corroded wires inside the tank.
 
I'd say the fuel pressure is a good place to start. Sounds like the ignition is fine. Could very well be the regulator or pump.
 
dealing with a similar issue on my 85 right now.
it starts if I spray carb cleaner in the intake, so the ignition is fine.

next step is to check for power at the pump. if power, then that circuit is good, and it needs a pump. if no power, then I start looking deeper.

im lucky, and have an access panel for the pump, it will be easy to test for power. I don't think you have that option, at least not easily. but it may be worth looking into, prior to the pressure test.
 
This could also possibly be caused by the cam/crank position sensors.

It seems to me that I read the fuel pump will run for a couple of seconds to pressurize the system, but then needs to see the engine spinning to continue to pump. That could be why you get the short run time.

Maybe someone with the FSM can verify that?
 
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