I've got my 3rd-gen 96 runner about 2 months ago. it's the limited edition with about 240k kms. I let the shop checked over it right after the purchase, and everything was fine until last night it stopped in the middle of the road. At a red light, the engine cut off with out and any notice (well, there might be was but I couldn't hear any thing because I was listening music) and all the light came out. I tried, immediately, to re-start the engine but no response at all. Got off the car, saw coolant(a whole lot of it) under the truck, steam came out from the hood. I'm a completely newbie, didn't know what to do; therefore, called the towing company to ship the car directly to the shop. They told me there might be something significant because cars don't normally stop on their own. I'm freak out, what's happening to my baby? Guys? Any thoughts, please?

 

first thought is the water pump, radiator hose, stuff like that. but i would think that it would still turn over.

give it a couple hours, when people get home from work.

 

Thanks jjrgr21. I certainly will stay here and wait. Hopefully the news for me won't be toooooo bad!

 

give a look at the engine. what doesnt look right?

see anything cracked? how low is your coolant? is it all drained?

it just shut off? no shaking? noises? boom? nothing?

are you a leadfoot? do you take care of your baby?

 

Damn until I saw the part about the coolant I was going to say you ran out of gas lol. You didn't notice your temp gauge showing hot did you? Let us know what they find. Hopefully it's nothing serious.

Rob

 

I did a quick look(last night in the dark) right after it stopped, couldn't see anything wrong visually. It just shut off, no shaking, no loud noises or boom but I'm not sure there was any sound before it shut off because I was playing loud music. I didn't expecting anything like this happen because the truck was performing well for the last two month. Car was checked and serviced 2 month ago, and I don't abuse it although I don't know what the previous owner did to it. (I've only got it for 2 month).

 

LOL, I was kind hopping that I just ran out of gas but the tank was full. Damn it, I just fill up after my final exams and ready to have some fun time since I don't have to go to the university anymore. and then, this e happen.
P.S. the temp gauge was showing normal temp.

 

i wonder about the timing belt?

 

Timing belt was changed at last service.

 

so will it not crank at all? May check fusible links, they can cause weird symptoms such have you have described.

 

well, it turn out wasn't too bad. took me 200 to repair the block heater and everything fine now. How did that thing blow off?