My Daughter-inlaw has a '99 'runner she drove off of the lot NEW. Lilke my '89 toy truck and my wife's '99 taco, it has proven very reliable. My son has changed the t belt, h2o pump, o2 sensors and more recently the MAF to clear the CEL (cleaning the old one would only clear it temporarily). Now the'runner has developed another problem. My Daughter-inlaw told me she would drive for a while, park it and turn it off, then return, start it and it would immediately shut down. She would go through this several times when the vehicle would start but die. She would then start it, gun it and throw it in gear to keep it running. This doesn't particularly sound safe, especially since they're transporting my first born grandchild.

I told her to ask my son to hook up the scanner to pull any possible codes. It's 10 degrees and windy there. Is there any other direction I suggest he look? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

This is for sure an Idle Air Control valve problem. All that needs to be done is to clean it. Its attached, right below to the throttle body.

I've cleaned mine twice now. 4 bolts to take off the TB, 3 cooling hoses. Spray carb cleaner/brake cleaner inside the IAC, you can tell the mechanism gets sticky.

 

X2. Thats where I would start

 

Same problem, just did it this morning. Works as advertised. Easy job.

Pull off the intake tube, remove the four bolts for the throttle body, take it out and there are 4 screws for the IAC. Use carb cleaner. Should take about 30-40 minutes.