Hello Everyone,

Today I stopped at a coffee shop to meet a friend for about 30 minutes, and after leaving, went out to start the truck. It started normally, and I threw it in reverse, and began moving. At this point, without any warning, the RPMs dropped, and the truck stalled.

I tried restarting the truck, and it would crank, but wouldn't fire. I thought it was dead and would have to be towed. I let it sit for about 30 seconds, and tried restarting it, it cranked for a few seconds, then reluctantly started back up.

I tried duplicating the incident after I got the truck home, to no avail -- the truck starts, stops, reverses, and does everything normally, and I'm understandably a little worried.

Where would you guys start looking to see what could be wrong. This is the first time the truck has ever stalled, and as far as I'm aware, is in otherwise good shape.

Would you guys be worried, or would you consider it a fluke -- I wouldn't want to be stranded somewhere with a temperamental truck, or worse, be stuck in the middle of nowhere!

The truck in question is an '86 4Runner, 22RE, auto, with about 85,000 original miles on the vehicle. It's in otherwise great shape.

Applicable items I can think of which would matter:

* Fuel filter changed in 2006 (about 20,000 miles ago)
* New spark plug wires in 2007 (about 15,000 miles ago)
* New air filter in 2007 (same mileage)
* Spark plugs cleaned and gapped about 2 weeks ago, they were last replaced in 2006.
* Fuel injectors ultrasonically cleaned and balanced by RC Fuel Injection about 7,000 miles ago in 2008.
* Timing and valve clearance done last year in 2008.


A friend suggested the truck may have gotten flooded, then cleared itself -- I'd like to do some digging regardless!

Thanks a lot,
Khany2002

 

dunno much about 22 series motors, but id start by checking all your grounds... then check the fuse panels and the ECU...

 

if it makes you feel any better, i stalled my truck for the first time in 6 months at a stop sign. Then again, that was because i didn't give it enough gas and... yeah. More of an operator error though.

As for your problem, make sure that your AFM is plugged in fully, as it can run for up to 30 seconds without it plugged in, and then, stall. Other than that, dont worry about it too much. Worst comes to worst, start it with the old second gear downhill starting technique, or just get some friends who can tow your truck at 20 mph.

 

It looks like you've taken the right precautions for the most part. You may have to chalk it up as a freak incident.

 

Poltergeists. Damn poltergeists.

I suggest you sacrifice a goat, or something like that.

 

There are lots of possibilities, but one that occurs to me is a deteriorating fuel pump, which just didn't start running when your truck failed to start. You can directly test the fuel pump by jumpering FP and B+ on the diagnostic connector. You might consider doing that now (when there is nothing to diagnose) so you are familiar with the sound of your pump. (The pump is in the fuel tank, so you need to listen carefully.)

If it fails again, stick in the jumper. If you hear nothing, you'll know that your fuel pump is not running. (Which also means you can't push-start it.)

Good luck.

 

an injector might have gotten stuck and dripped.
I wouldn't worry unless it happens again

 

Was it raining? Mine used to have a problem when it would rain, I would get water condensation in there and it would die, depending on how bad it was it would take up to a half hour but then it would dry out and start right back up. Check the o-ring and replace it if it looks bad (and you can find one) I just used some silicone to seal it up

 

I'd check out the fuel pump.

 

Sorry for the late reply!

I am quite familiar with using the jumper for the fuel pump -- when I got home, first thing I did was check for codes, then jumpered the fuel pump connection just to hear and smell if there were any fuel leaks. It sounded the same as it always does, and, there were no leaks. There were also no codes registered.

It wasn't raining, and was completely dry out -- and, the truck is an automatic, so push starting isn't an option!

Thanks for the help guys -- it hasn't done it since, and was hopefully an isolated incident! I'll keep you guys updated if it does.

 

My 88 would do that sometimes. If I didn't give it time to settle before trying to go it would stall and sort of flood. Then I would crank with the throttle open and it would go.

 

If fuel pump is fine i'd let it go until it happens again. Might be a freak occurrence.

 

I would check that the plug wires and coil wire are on like they should be .

I think I was reaching for the back spark plug from the side and just moved the coil wire enough that when i hit a bump it lost contact enough to stall

An idea anyhow

Sure most be nice to still have a middle of no where close by