I just purchased a 2002 4WD V6 Tacoma with 24000 miles. I love the truck. However, I was driving to work today when the engine just cut off. To be more precise, I was doing about 60 when it happened. No stuttering, no choking, nothing. I just went to apply gas and nothing happened. Looked down and noticed that the engine had cut off. I coasted to the side of the road and restarted without any problem and haven't experianced it again. Any of you have a clue as to what it could be?

 

I would check all electrical connections in the engine bay. Battery, alt, etc. Very strange indeed. Do you have an alarm w/ a kill switch of some sort?

Dont rule out fuel delivery issues either, though unlikely.

 

I had a loose cable on the positive post. I thought I had tightened it down. Is it possible that it came loose, then reseated itself. I was under the impression that if the battery did fail the engine would keep running. No?

 

Well not necessarily. The alt recharges the battery. So, you theoretically could have dropped below the required voltage to run the engine because the cable was not "touching."

That should take care of your problem.

 

Dirty fuel or filter? At 24,000 miles your filter should be fine though. You would have prolly sputtered if it was fuel delivery related.

Do you notice a high pitched whining noise? Might be your fuel pump. I had a 2000 Ford Exploder that had the fuel pump in the gas tank die.

 

If your negative batt terminal was loose, it would be like disconnecting the battery and the books say never disconnect the batt. while the engine is running. Probably caused a nasty hickup in the electrical system. A search would probably find the details I don't remember, but apparently electrical damage can result, so you may be lucky.

Alan

 

certain vehicles might be different but I dont think disconecting the battery would kill the truck. My buddy had a k5 blazer. We jumped the truck without a battery and let it run for a few minutes. I wouldn't suggest this (I was told it would really screw with your alt, I dunno if it throws it on full charge or whatever) but just thought I would throw that out there.