redhawk427

I have a 98 4runner and recently it will randomly die when stopped. as if it was a carbed motor that wasnt adjusted to the right idle. but thats not all, while driving, it will drop rpms from 2k down to 500 and straight back up. the engine temp also wiggles which makes me think its electrical. the radio turns off for about 3 seconds every 5 or 10 minutes. The battery is a brand new optima replaced on warranty. i think the computer might be messed up and heres why. i was wheelin a couple weeks ago and my battery shifted too much....thus touching the positive terminal to the battery mount, shorting it out, it died, smoke poured out the hood and the top of the battery melted. could that have fried my computer? my alternator? also a couple days ago my ebrake light flashed on when hitting the brakes....im stumped..any help is greatly appreciated!

Edit: It starts right back up no problem, and have bled the brakes..all 4 and the brake fluid is full

4rx

I had a similar experience. I went for wheeling in the snow and saw spark coming out the hood (gap between fender and hood) then it died. I went out to open the hood and disconnect battery fast. I was ripping the wire off the battery cable. The battery mount was loosening. Lucky I didn't burnt any electrical or catch on fire

redhawk427

yes very lucky lol. It's pretty freaky when you see actual smoke, not steam, coming from the hood. luckily i do carry a fire extinguisher just in case. well i discovered that my main ground wire, is completely fried, as in not connected. i have 2 smaller like 14 guage wires that are grounded but im thinkin thats not enough ground, so maybe thats my problem right there. im gonna replace and see what happens yee haw