Hi everyone, am having problem with my 4unner and was wondering if anyone can help. My check engine light just came on when I'm in drive but stopped, my truck will have a very rough and shaky idle (like it wants to die or something). It doesn't then I can continue to drive normally. Its started to do it in reverse when stopped also. Now its doing it when Im going very slow (like just letting my foot on the brake). Nothing is overheating or anything. Need help. Places want to charge over hundred dollars to check it. Was wondering if its something I could figure out. If anyone can help, I could use it. thanks
rough idle when stopped but in drive.....
- Thread starter hdoggie24
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noelaninoelani
New member
I'm curious too....because mine was doing the same thing. My uncle cleaned the throttle body, and so far it hasnt stalled. Knock on wood that this was the fix?
took truck to autozone to get engine light checked and it said cylinder 2 misfire. The guy told me that I probably need a tune-up and install new wires, sparkplugs, etc. I am glad to hear nothing major is wrong. I might try to do this work myself or might just take it in to a shop to do it.
wolfgang
New member
Check other threads here before wasting you $ on cheap aftermarket plug wires and even plugs. Stick with TOYOTA wires and NGK/Nippon plugs (order from online discount mailorder dealer to save 20-30% or at least use a local dealer coupon). Most OEM plug wire sets come with the distributor cap attached so very easy to install. Be cautious of folks using the "ya just need a tune up" as with new computer controlled engines the word "tune up" is obsolete. Nothing really to adjust (ok maybe timing - but even that is rare) - just replace plug wires, air filter, plugs distributor rotor, change oil & filter, clean throttle body and maybe a bottle of Chevron TECHRON FI cleaner in gas tank. Good time to check drive belts, vaccuum and radiator hoses too. Top up radiator too. If radiator hoses are cracked replace them as well as thermostat and radiator cap - along with a radiator flush and new coolant.
changed the spark plugs with toyota brand. everything went good. unhooked battery. when started 4runner. everything went smooth and check engine light didn't come on. after it ran for like 10 minutes, we started to drive away and after a few minutes the engine came on again and it once again is rough idling when stopped and in drive. what should i do next to hopefully fix this problem. if there are things i could do before paying someone $100 to see what is wrong, i would like to try first. thanks for any help.
I've noticed this happening lately on my 2004 4Runner. The check engine light doesn't come on and it seems to run fine, but for example when I'm at a stop light, and the car is in drive but I'm on the brake, it does idle pretty rough, gets pretty loud.
Anyone have any luck with fixing this or any suggestions? I haven't taken it in yet, as I was hoping for some more thoughts from you guys so I don't waste my money doing something that isn't really necessary.
Thanks everyone...
Anyone have any luck with fixing this or any suggestions? I haven't taken it in yet, as I was hoping for some more thoughts from you guys so I don't waste my money doing something that isn't really necessary.
Thanks everyone...
update...changed the spark plugs and spark plug wires with all oem toyota parts. still getting misfire in cylinder 2. i believe code says 0302 misfire cylinder 2. is there anything i could do to try to fix this or am i gonna have to take it in to get looked at. should i get new coil packs. can you switch the coil packs to see if the code will change if that is the problem. any help would be great. thanks, i also have a code reader to check so no needing to go to autozone all the time. thanks
pat161
New member
hotrodguitarist
New member
i dont think its the coil pack, but go spend $20 ish bucks at autozone/walmart and get a volt/ohm checker and I'll send you what level ohms its supposed to read to check the coil pack. I've spent $1300 and counting on this same problem but mine is 0301,0304,0305, and 0306, not even toyota can tell me whats causing it. the ecu checked fine and so have all the sensors. hopefully you can find whats wrong before spending the same amount as me. I think its a common problem with 3rd gen 4runners. I've seen alot of people on here who have had the same problem and only a few have fixed it and it's stayed gone. Let me know if you need those readings I'll post them on here for all to see so everyone can test their coils....
RUNNINIT
New member
I am having the same exact problem it drives fine but when i'm just idling it shakes and jumps like it wants to die. i just replaced the PLUGS,MAF,AIR FILTER,FUEL FILTER about 6 weeks ago and the truck was running fine then one night after i got home from work amd pulled into the garage i noticed it running rough but the check engine light wasnt on i figured it might have something to do with it being so cold like -20 but the next day when i started it to let it warm up i noticed the cel was on and still idling rough not sure what it is need to go to autozone and have codes read. will let you know what i find out.
esb_t4r
Member
Def sounds like it could be the ignition coil pack. I had my ignition coil go bad on my 95 Jimmy (back in the day) and it ran similarly to the symptoms you are describing. It ran, but very poorly, idled really crappy and had no power. Luckily I was close to my house and made it back. It's a pretty cheap part and should be an easy replacement.
On a side note (and this may be way out in left field) but the real rough idle and poor driving performance also reminds me of a clogged/broken EGR valve. I'm not sure if the 4Runners have an EGR valve, but when mine got clogged on my 95 jimmy, the car idled horribly, and the engine sounded very tinny. However, when I had my foot on the pedal the car ran a little better because the valve was open like it was supposed to be. However, you'd probably be getting some sort of code for the EGR valve if that was the problem (again, i don't even know if yours has one).
Anyways, good luck!!!
On a side note (and this may be way out in left field) but the real rough idle and poor driving performance also reminds me of a clogged/broken EGR valve. I'm not sure if the 4Runners have an EGR valve, but when mine got clogged on my 95 jimmy, the car idled horribly, and the engine sounded very tinny. However, when I had my foot on the pedal the car ran a little better because the valve was open like it was supposed to be. However, you'd probably be getting some sort of code for the EGR valve if that was the problem (again, i don't even know if yours has one).
Anyways, good luck!!!
drmorbius
New member
Try running some injector cleaner in your tank.
I had a cylinder 3 misfire up until recently. I also did the whole bit -- changed ignition parts, changed the fuel filter, etc. -- no improvement. But then I put a long screwdriver tip to the base of the cylinder 3 injector, while the engine was idling roughly, and I rested my ear on the handle. The lack of a ticking sound meant the injector was not firing. So I replaced the injector and voila! No more rough idle or hesitant acceleration.
Alternatively, your injectors may just be dirty. This may be remedied by adding injector cleaner to your tank or by getting a professional fuel system flush.
Good luck with your diagnosis.
conedodger
New member
I realize this is an old thread but I thought I would add some knowledge I gained from a good friend who is a Toyota mechanic. He says that when you wait too long on tuning a 3rd generation 3.4 the gap on the plugs will grow and the coil packs have to work harder. This can cause a misfire and wear out the coil packs.
