Hello,
I bought a 97 4-runner about 4 months ago. The engine light came on a couple of weeks ago, had it checked, it's the throttle sensor going out mechanic said. Plan to get it fixed asap, but in the meantime the engine light is not on all the time and this week a new issue developed of when I press the gas pedal there's a bad vibration happening. Only when I press the gas.
Is this related to the throttle sensor going out, or something else? If so, any ideas what and is it dangerous to be driving with that vibration? I can't get it fixed for a few more days.
THANKS!

 

Did you hear something snap and then it started happening or did it just come out of nowhere?

It only happens when your accelerating? Nothing coasting in drive?

 

Jason,
I don't remember anything snapping or anything unusual happening first...and it only vibrates when I accelerate.

 

I had the same throttle sensor problem, it came on intermittently, and when it did come on the only obvious effect was at highway speed it wouldn't down shift when you got on the pedal and was gutless. I ordered the part ($150), waited a week for it, and when I went to put it on, it was the wrong one (pep boys...). So I took it back. After I had tried to change it and ended up with the old one back in, I noticed the CEL did not come on, so I held off re-ordering the right one (it just seemed to wierd the way it was working then not working). Anyway, I went and cleaned up the wiring connections, made sure it was plugged in tight, etc. and I haven't had any problems for about 3 weeks. Moral of the story, check your connections...
About the vibration, sorry, that did not happen to me. Don't have a clue.
Does it vibrate like cylinders are not firing or somthing, or is it more like from down under or the rear end?

 

fyi...my mechanic said the throttle sensor would be $ 88.00, plus 1/7th (?) of an hour labor.
I know there are many knowlegable female mechanics out there, but I'm not one of them. I know just enough to be dangerous! So, I wouldn't know how to check those connections myself unfortunately, but I will ask my mechanic to before he replaces anything...
The vibration feels like the whole front end. I can feel it in the accelerator. I checked my tires, nothing wierd there...
Thanks!

 

The TPS (if that is what you are talking about) is very easy to replace.

You can see it in this pic just to the left of the TB opening (black sensor, held with 2 screws):

 

thanks jamie...
i see how easy it would be to change that sensor, or check the connections...I will be putting the 4 runner in the shop in the a.m. because of the vibration mystery and to go ahead and get the sensor replaced. I have a friend that 's a good mechanic and could do this work for me and save me some $$, but he's out of town and I can't wait any longer.
I will report back on the vibration problem..
thanks again everyone.