hesitation at highway speeds?

[keithcurtiss]

Hi, Im new to this, so here goes.. I have a 2000 4-runner SR5, a 6 cylinder and 4x4 (112k) pretty good shape... Just in the last few days I've experienced some out of the ordinary problems with accelaration at highway speeds. At first, I thought, because it had sat for a a day or so... and between the snow and the really cold weather that maybe that had something to do with it. But, yestersay it was plenty warm out and I noticed at 45 mph and then again at 65 mph it started to labor, falter, but when I accelerate through those speeds it goes away.. Im used it to it being strong and very reliable and it worries me. At first, I thought because it idles fine when I rev the engine it sounds strong, theres no misfire at all, & maybe it's was the tranny? Anyway, Im not sure what it is, but from what I've read on different sites this seems to a fairlya fairly common problem that people are dealing with, with not many idea. I 've heard plugs, wires, cap & rotor, to engine flush, to electronic? Please help!!

Keith Curtiss
Columbia, MD

 

[david_ray320]

Hi, Im new to this, so here goes.. I have a 2000 4-runner SR5, a 6 cylinder and 4x4 (112k) pretty good shape... Just in the last few days I've experienced some out of the ordinary problems with accelaration at highway speeds. At first, I thought, because it had sat for a a day or so... and between the snow and the really cold weather that maybe that had something to do with it. But, yestersay it was plenty warm out and I noticed at 45 mph and then again at 65 mph it started to labor, falter, but when I accelerate through those speeds it goes away.. Im used it to it being strong and very reliable and it worries me. At first, I thought because it idles fine when I rev the engine it sounds strong, theres no misfire at all, & maybe it's was the tranny? Anyway, Im not sure what it is, but from what I've read on different sites this seems to a fairlya fairly common problem that people are dealing with, with not many idea. I 've heard plugs, wires, cap & rotor, to engine flush, to electronic? Please help!!

Keith Curtiss
Columbia, MD

Have you replaced your timing belt recently? Dunno if this would be a related problem but it's just another thing to consider in addition to the other things people suggested it could be.

 

[Squirt]

Hi, Im new to this, so here goes.. I have a 2000 4-runner SR5, a 6 cylinder and 4x4 (112k) pretty good shape... Just in the last few days I've experienced some out of the ordinary problems with accelaration at highway speeds. At first, I thought, because it had sat for a a day or so... and between the snow and the really cold weather that maybe that had something to do with it. But, yestersay it was plenty warm out and I noticed at 45 mph and then again at 65 mph it started to labor, falter, but when I accelerate through those speeds it goes away.. Im used it to it being strong and very reliable and it worries me. At first, I thought because it idles fine when I rev the engine it sounds strong, theres no misfire at all, & maybe it's was the tranny? Anyway, Im not sure what it is, but from what I've read on different sites this seems to a fairlya fairly common problem that people are dealing with, with not many idea. I 've heard plugs, wires, cap & rotor, to engine flush, to electronic? Please help!!

Keith Curtiss
Columbia, MD

I realize this is a very old thread, but I'm currently having the same problem. I'm wondering what you found as the solution?

 

[bama16]

i had the same and replaced my plug wires...issue was resolved.

 

[Squirt]

i had the same and replaced my plug wires...issue was resolved.

I've done that and it is still having the same issue.
NEW:MAF
TPS
fuel pump/filter/screen
Plug wires
Checked & all plugs look great

 

[Weagle2]

check your catalytic converters. My '02 would hesitate/lunge at highway speeds especially on an incline. Both converters were clogged.

 

[brombomb]

I have a '98 V6 that was experiencing a hesitation or shutter at speeds over 45 mph or so. It felt like the bump when the cruise control settles in, though it happened with cruise control on and off. There was no RPM change or audible noise associated with the shutter. I tried a number of fixes, but the bottom line is that a bottle of Red Line fuel system cleaner likely fixed the issue. I also replaced the throttle position sensor (Dorman 977035) at the same time, but it's unlikely this had any impact. Prior to simply cleaning the fuel injectors with Red Line, I replaced the fuel filter (Napa FIL3319), cleaned the MAF, and cleaned the throttle body. None of the last three had any impact on the shutter.

The fuel filter r/r is straightforward, but it can become quite painful with non-Toyota parts. Timmy the Toolman and Faye Hadley have good videos. The throttle position sensor is also straightforward requiring only two screws, but they are not the easiest to access, and if it's the original TPS, they will be secured with JIS screws. Both repairs very doable for casual wrenchers.