Engine dies unless I apply throttle

[T4Rschwarz]

I've only had my '98 4Runner SR5 for a couple of weeks, and it's always run perfectly since I've had it. I went out for a drive tonight and the engine died while coasting after a quick getaway from a traffic light. I ended up having to drive the rest of the way home braking with my left foot while keeping the revs up with my right one to keep the engine from dying.

After reading a few threads on this topic, I went back out to the garage and it started right up and idled as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. I pulled it out of the garage and drove it a short distance down the alley before returning it to the garage, and normal service was resumed.

In other threads, I noticed that people who had this problem mentioned rough idle and other clues that something wasn't quite right, but this happened without any warning signs and disappeared just as quickly. Based on this information, can someone suggest what I should look at first? I'm going to pick up the appropriate cleaning supplies for the throttle body, IAC, and MAF tomorrow.

I should also mention that the Check Engine light is on, and the code is P0136: oxygen sensor bank 1, sensor 2. That's the one after the cat, right?

 

[CDN RUNNER]

Seeing how you have both codes I would say mass air flow.

 

[BlackCat914]

Mine will die intermittently after a WOT run, but I do it so seldomly I haven't looked into a fix. I would try with cleaning the IAC valve.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Investigate and solve the code first. If the O2 sensor needs to replaced that is easy but you must buy the exact same part. Not NAPA or AutoZone.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Generally the IAC will not throw a code even when dirty/old. I just replaced mine after years of this issue. If you have a code fix it first.

 

[T4Rschwarz]

Thanks for the replies. The Denso website shows part# 234-4154 as the rear O2 sensor for my truck (V6, auto trans, 4WD) and my nearest auto parts store should have it for me tomorrow.

I've read threads here about some people getting Denso O2 sensors to replace the one after the cat and the wires not being long enough to reach where it plugs in. Does anyone reading this have experience with that or know someone who has? It seemed to be a part number mix-up by Denso or somebody else from what I could tell.

I still plan to clean the throttle body, IAC, and MAF after installing the new O2 sensor; recommendations/links about products and techniques for cleaning these parts are welcome and appreciated.

 

[T4Rschwarz]

I replaced the O2 sensor, reconnected the battery, and the Check Engine light is off. I took it out for a drive tonight, and purposely took a side street with lots of stop signs on the way home so I'd have plenty of opportunities to accelerate quickly. It went like a champ up until the second-to-last stop sign, where the engine died. When I started it back up, it refused to idle again, so I pulled over and shut it off. After waiting for 5 minutes, I started it up and it ran perfectly again. I accelerated quickly away from the last stop sign with no problems.

I got CRC cleaning sprays for the MAF and throttle body today. Which one is better to use on the IAC?

Any other ideas about what's causing this?

 

[1blink]

use throttle body cleaner on the IAC

 

[T4Rschwarz]

use throttle body cleaner on the IAC

Thanks, will do.