That's funny. I was just reading about that 3.4 issue on a page dedicated to those tricky to solve issues, as I debate whether to pull my VSS tomorrow.

http://www.motor.com/article.asp?article_ID=271

 

Well, first off I wanted to say I appreciate all the advice and help, it got me further in fixing it. I got it to stop knocking so badly by cleaning the Idle air control (green block right under throttle body) it was carboned in a fixed position. I cleaned it really well and got it to no longer ping and knock, but still had the cutting out and nose over from 3/4 throttle up. I had someone make me an offer on it that I couldn't refuse, and I have sold it...which I'm sad to see her go, but after 10 years of never letting me down and 193K miles, I'm going to let someone else bitch at her.... LOL. I really think it was down to I needed a new a/f sensor and a crank or cam position sensor.

I'm still going to stay on here, at some point in the future I may get me an older Yota... one of the smaller p/u's... any recommendations on a good long running direction to take on that?

 

I like the 3.0 now that (or maybe because) I've gotten the hang of working on it, but you can't go wrong with Yota.

 

The Crank Postion sensor(CKP) is part of the igntion system. Normaly does not cut fuel as apose to "cutting spark." However If there is a fault with the CKP then it will cut spark slightly and when the computer sees "weak or improper burn time" then it cuts fuel.