ryanb

Problem vehicle is a 2002 Tacoma v6 4x4 with about 45k on the clock. My wife's truck is exhibiting some bizarre engine problems. Originally the problem was the vehicle would continue to run the engine after you let off the gas pedal. If you let off the gas at 30mph, the truck would continue to drive itself at that speed, sometimes accellerating.
It got so bad that she was at a stoplight with full brakes pressed and the truck was still creeping forward. She shifted it into neutral and the truck immediately redlined itself, and she shut it off. Started it again and it immediately redlined again, restarted one more time and it was back to normal.
That problem is now overshadowed by the fact that if you attempt to give the truck more than 1/4 throttle, it will sputter and usually stall. Further attempts to start it will also result in stalling. Eventually it will start up ok.

Anyone recognize the problem?

Thanks -
Ryan

rimpainter.com

Sounds like something is keeping the TB butterfly stuck open. Something could be lodged in there. That or the TPS is toast. Those are my two best guesses.

I would inspect the TB, then the TPS.

As far as redlining goes, every now and then wont hurt anything since you have a rev limiter.

rimpainter.com

By the way, you are still under powertrain warranty, so I would let the dealer know. They should even cover the towing costs. Just make sure its nothing that you did...modifications, etc.

ryanb

Thought I would post the results of the trip to the dealer for anyone searching on this...

Problem turned out to be a squirrel or mouse who had taken up residence in the engine compartment. I'm sure when my wife got home from work, the nice still warm engine bay was very enticing compared to the subfreezing temps outside. He envidently did some reasonably serious damage, chewed a hole in the air filter, and was caching nuts in the ISC (Idle speed control?). End result was ISC replaced, truck runs fine.

MTL_4runner

Squirrel eh?........those little raskals
Glad you got it fixed.