Temporary loss of power ... need your help!

[Igoboe]

Hi guys,

I drive 99 4runner w/5speed and occasionally the engine loses its power for a few seconds (even minutes) ... On the last time it happened that I was leaving stop sign and going on the 1st gear would be impossible, even after flooring the gas engine would not go more than 2000 RPM and the car was very jerky, going no more than 5-8 miles per hour ... went on neutral but the engine was still (barely) running, shifted into 1 - 2 gear same thing for like a mile or two, then everything went back to normal. WTF!?!? Also, the ENGINE CHECK light didn't go on.

I noticed it happens when I go uphill and the fuel tank is less then 1/4 of full.

I got this truck like 6 months ago with around 180 K on odometer and performed some basic tune up.

Please, let me know if you experience anything like that and how to fix it.

Thank you all,

IL

 

[bergs]

Do not take this post as a certainty but, to me, it sounds a lot like a bad ECU

 

[Doc2012]

Or your gas guage is really off, or your pump is going bad.

Start with the small stuff.

Your gas tank, filter, injectors, yadda, then go from there.

 

[bergs]

Oh dear! Forgive me but I missed the part about having 1/4 tank and going uphill.

Fill 'er up and add a bottle or two of dry gas.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I would tend to think it's starving for fuel. Perhaps a bad, clogged pick up on the fuel pump.

 

[Igoboe]

Thank you guys,

What is ECU?

Sorry ....

IL

 

[Doc2012]

ECU is the computer above your glove box that controls the motor and the transmission, as well as monitors the emissions.

It's what throws CELs.

Electronic Control Unit.