98 4r with bad hesitation under acceleration

[Guy Bri]

98 runner 3.4 hesitant/surging until 3500 rpm

Hello. I have an issue with my 98 runner. 3.4 V6. When accelerating up an incline it feels under powered and it feels like it is slipping or hesitating until i reach 3500 rpms then it feels like a turbo has kicked in (It's not turbo'd). After 3500 rpm it's fine. Pulls good and solid. I don't think it's the tranny as why would it be bad under 3500 rpm then good after it? I have done spark plugs and it's still bad. Could it be a timing issue? If a coil pack was bad then i would have thought it would be bad regardless of rpm? I'd be glad of any comments/thoughts? Many Thanks!

 

[Jason B]

Similar issue in my 97. Will prob try new fuel filter as I have a brand new oem one sitting here. Is there a write-up for this? Just wondering. I usually like to add to the write-ups if a find a quicker way

 

[162435]

Another data point: I just picked up a one-owner '98 SR5 5-speed 4WD. The truck was 500 miles away, had a dead battery, and would not rev past 2,700 rpm.
The owner & I agreed that the issue was most likely the crank position sensor, so last Sunday I took a flight to NC, then installed a new battery and a new crank position sensor. Quick test drive around the neighborhood confirmed our diagnosis.
I then hopped in and drove it 500 miles home.


Andreas

 

[Jason B]

Similar issue in my 97. Will prob try new fuel filter as I have a brand new oem one sitting here. Is there a write-up for this? Just wondering. I usually like to add to the write-ups if a find a quicker way

Updated! Put a new fuel filter in. Truck definitely feels lighter on it's feet, a little more power, but the hesitation is still there under heavy throttle. I also just cleaned the maf wire see here:
Cleaning MAF 96-98 4Runner 3.4

But hesitation is still there under heavy throttle.