my 4runner doesn't start on occasion

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hey everyone, I've posted this in the problems section, but no one has responded, so I thought I'd post. I hope there's someone out there that can help...

here's the post:

hello everyone, as I'm sure you all can see, I just joined because for the first time in 125k miles, I have a problem I can't figure out, so maybe you can help!

I have an 01 4runner sr5 4x4 with a manual transmission. It's great, but has recently been stalling at two awkward times.

1. the first more common occurrence: right upon start-up, the engine will fire up right away as usual, and as the rpm comes down to idle, it steadily falls to zero, stalling the car.

This either happens numerous times in succession while trying to get the car started, or not at all - and the car starts right up.

One strange thing I've noticed is that after the engine initially starts up, IF the fans don't come on immediately the engine will immediately die as described above (and if the fans do come on right away- then the car will start up). Also, if I notice that the engine won't stay started, I can give it enough gas to get the rpm's going over 3.5 or 4k and it'll be all right - the engine will stay running, otherwise it will die as the rpm's fall steadily to zero.

The weird thing here is that this can happen after the car sat for 10 mins after an hour or two of driving, or after a night of not being driven, there doesn't seem to be a pattern as to when this occurs.

2. the second more rare occurrence: I've noticed a few times while driving that the engine will die. I THINK this only happens when I'm shifting, or coasting, out of gear, and the rpm has a chance to fall - but don't hold me to that, as this has only happened 2 or 3 times, when I was distracted...

Lastly, I've cleaned out the throttle body and the valve inside, and tried fuel injector cleaner, too. I don't know if this is related, but just thought I'd let you all know.

any thoughts or suggestions of what to do/where to look would be greatly appreciated! let me know if I wasn't clear or something.

thanks in advance.
 
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First off, I am also a owner of a 3rd gen 5 speed (2000), but have never had this problem; however, My roommate has a 5 speed nissan altima from the late 90's and he had what sounds like the exact same problem as you! He thought it might be bad plugs n wires, but it was not that! Then he was thinking maybe some type of gas or intake problem, but never really had the money to get it checked out. Eventually after about a month and a half of just dealing with it, the car just fixed itself! Anyways, im sorry this doesn't help much, but its kinda interesting to hear about someone having the same problem!
 
Allright, here goes:

haddix - it's also silver with a nice mud brown interior

bgmac - great suggestions, I'll definitely give them a try

916 - very strange, but your post gives me hope that if I sit on my ass, all of my problems in life will be solved!

ray double - the truth is, I'm not sure. I've noticed that when I start (normally) the car there is a loud fan(s) that always come on, and after a minute or two it/they shut off on automatically. It's when I start the car and the fan (or fans) do not come on that I experience the above problems...

Thanks everyone for the great responses!
 
Thats great about the whole color thing but 2000 was the last year for the 5 speed option in the 4runner.
 
ray double - the truth is, I'm not sure. I've noticed that when I start (normally) the car there is a loud fan(s) that always come on, and after a minute or two it/they shut off on automatically. It's when I start the car and the fan (or fans) do not come on that I experience the above problems...

Thanks everyone for the great responses!

I'd check and clean the battery connections and grounds first.
 
Hi, first off, do you have a check engine light? And secondly, did you check the connection at your maf sensor? I've seen a couple of maf not fully plugged in that did this...
 
I actually recall cleaning the MAF and throttle body about (and whatever else is included in the whole unit) inside and out around 10k miles ago, i'll do that again, and report my results. (i find it strange that the unit would work fine for about 100k and then need cleaning every 10k miles after that...)

No check engine light. I'll check the grounds to the chassis, as well.

thanks.
 

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