Engine Light Ding, stall then nothing

[NikP]

I need some advice on a strange issue. I’ve had a couple of occasions when the dash dings, the CEL illuminates, the vehicles stalls while going slow in a parking lot or in slow traffic.

I put it into neutral, hit the start button to turn off and then to start. Starts right back up. No CEL and when I read codes nothing current or pending.

Had similar thing happen in traffic yesterday. Dashed dinged like it was going to set CEL but then nothing. Engine slightly hesitated but then kept going. No codes.

What can cause a dash ding and engine stall but not set a code?

 

[TeCKis300]

Ignition and timing related issues will generally see a CEL.

Most air related issues should also see a CEL but it can be this. Check for airbox secure or a vacuum leak in a hose or cracked hose.

Fuel seems to be another area where there aren't direct feedback loops to trip a fault.

It can be other things like electrical issues but I with the easy stuff.

What year and mileage is your rig? Have you had any service recently?

 

[NikP]

2008 with 201,000 miles.

 

[Zill]

Wasn’t there a thread recently with a similar issue that eventually grenaded the engine because a valve dropped due to a broken valve spring? I’m not saying it’s this, but I would be suspecting a fuel pump issue or a valve spring starting to go bad.

The American 3UR in the Tundra had a relatively common occurrence with this until around the 2011-2012 timeframe when the metallurgy of the valve spring improved. Though, the jury is still out if the Japanese 3UR in the 200 series also had this treatment. It has been a lot less common of a problem in the Japanese 3UR as a whole.

 

[bloc]

How old is the battery? Terminals corrosion-free and cables tight?

 

[NikP]

Battery is fairly new and no corrosion. solid connections.

How old is the battery? Terminals corrosion-free and cables tight?

 

[Ali FJ80]

Alternator may be starting to go.

 

[Sandroad]

Alternator may be starting to go.

If the battery cables are indeed clean and tight, I do think it would be worth testing the alternator. Brief intermittent low voltage at low speeds might cause the symptoms? Check voltage at the battery terminals when off, idling, and 2K rpm to start.

 

[NikP]

Quick update and crossing my fingers it's fixed. After two consecutive days of stalling 6 times, I was able to get a code read. p0103 Mass airflow circuit high input.

I had replaced the Mass Air Flow Sensor mid summer. I can't remember the codes that caused me to replace it. The previous owner had a K&N filter but told me he had to run it dry or it would throw a code. I replaced the K&N, sprayed cleaner on the MAF sensor but still had issue so swapped it with a new one.

The sensor was still under warranty so I swapped it out and have driven several days now with no issue. Hopefully that was the problem.

Since the swap I've noticed my cold start RPM is 200-300 lower. It's now around 1500 where it used to race up to 1800.

 

[bloc]

Quick update and crossing my fingers it's fixed. After two consecutive days of stalling 6 times, I was able to get a code read. p0103 Mass airflow circuit high input.

I had replaced the Mass Air Flow Sensor mid summer. I can't remember the codes that caused me to replace it. The previous owner had a K&N filter but told me he had to run it dry or it would throw a code. I replaced the K&N, sprayed cleaner on the MAF sensor but still had issue so swapped it with a new one.

The sensor was still under warranty so I swapped it out and have driven several days now with no issue. Hopefully that was the problem.

Since the swap I've noticed my cold start RPM is 200-300 lower. It's now around 1500 where it used to race up to 1800.

Genuine Toyota or aftermarket MAF sensor?

 

[NikP]

Genuine Toyota or aftermarket MAF sensor?

Aftermarket. I know... everyone advocates for the original OEM...