'97 4Runner 5VZ-FE drowning in fuel

[BN-2B]

I'm not sure if the TPS can just die without warning, or if it always takes a while. I have a 'bad' TPS. I had a CEL that alerted me, and then it went away the next day. So 'bad' but not completely shot, it seems.

And absolutely no offense to the more knowledgeable senior members, but if you want to 'throw parts' at it, go for it. It's your money. The MAF was mentioned (or at least 'liked') several times by different people and your CEL refers to it. If you can find a cheap aftermarket one (with good reviews) that WILL ship to you, I say have at it.
Worst case scenario, you have $13 invested in a spare part for when it actually DOES go bad, and you have to keep looking.
Best case scenario, a $13 part solves all your problems, and you can decide whether or not you want to buy a proper OEM part. You've not paid a mechanic $100 an hour to potentially tell you you have a bad MAF and then stick in an aftermarket anyways (unless the stealership) and charge you out the ass in parts markup.
Throwing around parts usually is not good practice, but when all (most) signs point to it, sooner or later you have to bite the bullet and replace the part and hope for the best.

You said that the old OEM coil pack keeps her running at least? Why/when did you get the new aftermarket one? I may have misunderstood; I though you simply swapped locations. So you got a whole new one?

Logical case for the MAF. I agree.
But we still do not know what the CEL is pointing at.
The $100 saved on mechanic fees have been invested in fresh OEM IAC and FPR. The old parts were fugly and I learned my way around the 'plenum'.

My buddy has a code reader, which he lent to his friend, who put it in another car, that went to another island.
So, we are on hold until the arrival of a scan tool from eBay. Illumination is on her way. Hopefully.

I was going to reinstall the OEM coil pack that I switched out in January due to a cylinder 4 misfire code. Just to see if the aftermarket coil had failed.
Then I recalled... When she has fired up recently, with dry plugs under full throttle, she runs strong without hesitation. Sounds like all six roaring.
Release the throttle, she's gone. Instantly. Drowned in her own fuel.

Your contribution is much appreciated.
I look forward to celebrating in the light at the end of the tunnel.
...At the beach!

 

[BN-2B]

Solution!

I'd try another code reader to see if it connects. If not, then you may have an electrical issue.

Any CEL's?

Thank you LittleCaesar, this was the successful course of action.

First, found the best OBD2 scanner for earlier Toyota.
U480 OBD2 LCD Car Diagnostic Scanner Fault Code Reader
...More economical on eBay.

All it had to say was, "Linking Error!".

Next, I located a "Pull Off ECM" in Santa Monica, California for a ridiculously low price and went for the swap.
BTW, 'rndparts' on eBay rocks!
They got the part from the Pacific to the Caribbean in two days!

Plugged it in and noticed when the key was on, there was no IAC rattle as before.
Then the U480 scanner began linking.
Then, without touching the throttle at all, turned the key and she fired up in an instant as if nothing had ever happened.

What a relief.

Sometimes computers have issues.
Determining what made the ECM fail that way is another story.
Upon visual inspection it looks perfectly fine, inside and out.

Serious Big Thanks Again to LittleCaesar.
Grateful to All the Contributors on the invaluable resource which is this Forum.