New Owner needs help with hesitation issue.

[Leviathan]

Hey all, been lurking here for months reading and enjoying the pics. This forum helped me find what I was looking for. Just picked up an '04 SR5 with 143k on it. I've had the truck for one month and until yesterday not one single issue, she drove like a dream.

But now, when I come to a stop light, take my foot off the brake and try to accelerate she hesitates, then lurches forward. Like it takes a second for something to catch. While sitting still at the light I could feel an almost gentle "bump" forward. It was barely noticeable. Then it's press...1, 2...go.

What could be the cause of this? I did some searching on here, but everything I read seemed like most owners were dealing with something like this from the start. But for me this was NOT happening at all before yesterday. She was extremely smooth driving. The only odd thing was maybe 20 mins before cuz of some idiot I had to brake hard to keep from hitting them. Other then that all was well.

 

[gtb129]

Can you work on the truck yourself? Your throttle body could be getting stuck from 11 years of grime. I would clean that, check your air filter and fluids. If you dont know the vehicle history it could be time for a tune up. Do you know if your timing belt has been changed?

 

[blind squirrel]

Welcome to the 4runner world. Is it a v6 or v8? The v6's do not have a timing belt they have a chain. Are they the original spark plugs? Like GTB says, may just be time for a quick tune up.

 

[Leviathan]

Thanks for the welcome, it was reading here which made me settle on a 4runner. Love it! Never worked on a car a day in my life unless you count changing a flat, but I am mechanically inclined and a quick learner.
It's a v6, and Nah the only history I know is that it only had one owner. I'm just gonna go off the assumption that nothing was done. So I know I need to make sure all the maintenance is up to date. I was just curious if me slamming on the brakes like I did (actually skidded a little) would have anything to do with it cuz I've been driving my new love everywhere since I got her last month and this only started after that.

 

[sonerick]

Could be that the slip yoke on the rear driveshaft needs a little bit of lube.

 

[gtb129]

IF you have/had siezed calipers, and had to lock the breaks, the calipers could be siezed in a tighter position now. Obviously this would make the truck more sluggish off the line. I suppose its possible. Right?

Did it start happening immediately after you locked your breaks, or 1,2,3 days later?

Edit: The 'gentle "Bump" forward' could be your rotors breaking free from the siezed/tightened calipers.

 

[Leviathan]

I suppose so. I just joined the Toyota Owner's website, entered my VIN but no history on the vehicle showed at all.

It started almost immediately, slammed my brakes to keep from hitting an idiot, pulled over to a 7/11 to grab a slushy to calm my nerves, was in the store maybe 5 mins, drove about a block to the next stop sign...then it happened for the very 1st time. Pressed on the gas, there was MAJOR hesitation. Like the truck wanted to go forward but was being held by something......then release.

As I've said before she drove smoothly before that moment. Now it's still happening, although not as extreme as the 1st time. I notice it only happens when I have to press the brake down hard, then accelerate. The rpms go up a little then she jerks forward, and drives normally.
It doesn't happen when I pull off from being parked, or if I let the truck coast softly to a stop or apply light braking pressure, then accelerate.

 

[blind squirrel]

Yeah, sounds like a stuck caliper. Good call GTB. You can find out which one it is a few different ways.

1. jack up each wheel one at a time with the car in neutral and spin the wheel by hand. ( make sure the other wheels are blocked so you runner doesn't...well run )
2. after driving it use a little spray bottle of water, spray on each rotor and if it sizzles... there's your guy.

This is a very common thing that happens on our runners. Your options are to remove it and rebuild it, cost about 5 bucks for the parts or you can buy a new one. Not sure on the cost, but much more than 5 bucks.

 

[gtb129]

Yeah, sounds like a stuck caliper. Good call GTB. You can find out which one it is a few different ways.

1. jack up each wheel one at a time with the car in neutral and spin the wheel by hand. ( make sure the other wheels are blocked so you runner doesn't...well run )
2. after driving it use a little spray bottle of water, spray on each rotor and if it sizzles... there's your guy.

This is a very common thing that happens on our runners. Your options are to remove it and rebuild it, cost about 5 bucks for the parts or you can buy a new one. Not sure on the cost, but much more than 5 bucks.

Thank you sir.

The new Calipers are 80ish plus a core charge at autozone. Dont ask... We'll just leave it at "I tried to make 15'' wheels fit".

You can also take the wheel off and pry each caliper pistons open. If it doesnt pry, then it's the one seizing. (I recomend checking all of them. There could be more than one")

 

[brendan1026]

It started almost immediately, slammed my brakes to keep from hitting an idiot, pulled over to a 7/11 to grab a slushy to calm my nerves, was in the store maybe 5 mins, drove about a block to the next stop sign...then it happened for the very 1st time. Pressed on the gas, there was MAJOR hesitation. Like the truck wanted to go forward but was being held by something......then release.

As I've said before she drove smoothly before that moment. Now it's still happening, although not as extreme as the 1st time. I notice it only happens when I have to press the brake down hard, then accelerate. The rpms go up a little then she jerks forward, and drives normally.
It doesn't happen when I pull off from being parked, or if I let the truck coast softly to a stop or apply light braking pressure, then accelerate.

I've had the same exact thing happen to me after very hard braking. I thought I had a blown trans. It's almost like the computer is confused or something. Haven't had it happen in a few months, everything seems to be fine. My brake calipers are good, fronts had been replaced and the rears are fine. it's definitely a trans or computer related issue.