Engine just shuts off... its just plain dangerous

[4Runner_96_SR5]

My 96' v6 4speed Runner's engine has adopted a habbit of just shuting off on me. Its happened on 3 occasions, and is definatly a problem. Every time it has happened the ECT has been on and it was being floored. One time it happened at only around 45, the other two times at 70. The engine shuts off some time after my foots off the accelerator and on the brakes. I thought i was prepared for it this last time, i put it in neutral and attempted to restart it (something i have done before when turning the engine off on purpose while in motion) although it didn't work. I couldnt hear if the starter motor was trying to turn it or not, but the key didnt feel like it was turning normaly (might have been my imagination). I put on my flashers and turned onto a side street with no power steering, not too horrible of a task, altho the wheel and brakes then lock, i had to use the hand brake to get to a complete stop, put it in park and it was just fine. Anyone have any thoughts as to what the problem is? Also, why the hell do the steering and brakes lock? Im sure that there is a good reason, but to me it seems like a rediculous feature. Thanks to anyone that can help.

 

[khooper]

The most common cause for this failure is old/stale untreated fuel or perhaps a sheared flywheel key (ignition timing). If untreated fuel is more than a month old, this fuel will start to break down and engine stalling (in addition to fuel system component gumming) can result.

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[bft4.7]

I had a old buick that did the same thing, but I was never going that fast! I don't think it had any relation to hitting the gas, i.e. their was not pattern. I think I remember that it was just the fuel filter. Which can be related to what khooper said about bad fuel. I would try replacing the fuel filter and maybe adding some thing to the fuel itself (octane booster, fuel cleaner, etc) and see if that helps.

 

[4Runner_96_SR5]

Thanks for the input, hopefuly it is just stale gas. Do you think that having 91K miles on the stock spark plugs might be part of the problem?

 

[4Runner_96_SR5]

Ok, so today it happened again today. I accelerated prety hard to a little under 70, and then brought it down to 40. I went 40 for a while, engine was still on, but i smelled a horrible smell that i cant quite describe.. kinda burning exaust (i had all the windows down). I stoped for a stop sign and my engine shut off, leaving a check engine light. I tried with no avail to restart her. i put on my flashers and sat there for a minute and finaly got her to start back up. I went into a neiborhood and shut the 4runner off, and it had some trouble restarting.

I have ruled out the stale fuel, i filled it up yesterday and all of the old tank had already been used up since then. Could it be the spark plugs? Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance, T4R.

 

[maine runner]

Dude- Stop driving it around and take it to a good mechanic.

 

[4Runner_96_SR5]

Its only when i accelerate with the throttle wide open for more than is ever nessicary, driving normaly i have not had a single problem. I would rather try to find out the problem before i get charged to hell by a mechanic.

 

[afx604]

did your whole vehicle start to vibrate before the engine cut off? My mom's old 97 chrylser voyager did that. We sold it asap, I would look into the engine rather than the fuel...

 

[banker1]

Could be the ignition switch... a guy I work with had a similar issue with his Honda Accord ('97). For one reason or another the car would shut off, he also had a similar "shut off and failure to restart" at a stop sign.

Like someone else said though, stop driving it and take it to a mechanic. There is no way you're going to figure out what the problem is by responses to a post on the internet. You'll be in some shit if you get into an accident because your car has been shutting off and you're still driving it... :bash: