Wife stopped at light and engine quit. Started in Park, but quit when selecting any other gear. I attempted rescue, but got the same results after trying all combinations of differential lock, "pwr" button, 2nd gear button, H - N - L, etc. Truck is perfectly maintained with 192000. Had to (sniff) have it towed. When off the tow truck, it started normally and went right into gear with no problem. It's been performing normally for two weeks. Mechanic is stumped after driving it for three days trying to get it to malfunction again. Toyota dealer stumped. Any ideas?
Engine quits when put in gear.
- Thread starter Widjet42
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Idle off from normal when in park? Instantly die or sputter and then quit? Start fine or difficult to start? Need more info.
- Thread starter
- #3
Idles normally when in park or neutral. When shifting out of park or neutral, engine quits without sputter...as if switch is turned off. Starts normally. If xfer case is in Neutral, then engine will start with transmission in Park or Neutral and CONTINUE running if transmission is shifted into any gear. With xfer case in either "H" or "L" and transmission in Park or Neutral, engine starts normally but quits when selecting any gear in transmission. All this is with center differential unlocked. Thanks for your interest
Start it in neutral
Keep left foot on brake
Give it a little gas 1200rpm ish
Then shift into drive
Does it lurch forward or die?
If it lurches forward then dies. Give it more gas next time. (Don't do this in your garage... duh)
I had similar problem that turned out to be throttle body. Can of throttle body cleaner ($3) and I was good to go. Dealership wanted 1200 bucks for new throttle body.
Keep left foot on brake
Give it a little gas 1200rpm ish
Then shift into drive
Does it lurch forward or die?
If it lurches forward then dies. Give it more gas next time. (Don't do this in your garage... duh)
I had similar problem that turned out to be throttle body. Can of throttle body cleaner ($3) and I was good to go. Dealership wanted 1200 bucks for new throttle body.
I would clean throttle body with TB cleaner, clean mass airflow sensor with mass airflow cleaner and check for any disconnected vacuum lines.
Do you have techstream to check for any saved trouble codes? Not all of them turn on the check engine line instantly.
Do you have techstream to check for any saved trouble codes? Not all of them turn on the check engine line instantly.
I am still trying to chase this same problem on a 01 4Runner with the 3.4. I cheeked for codes and found none. Decided to clear codes even though there were none and it was fixed. This appears to be a problem but I haven't found a sure fire answer for it.
I would bet... had you disconnected and reconnected the battery it would have performed fine... sometime there is no "reason"
My problem is it has happened twice.
What year cruiser? Sounds electrical, do you have any water leaks from front windshield/sunroof? Recent rain? Water leaks frequently drip on ECU causing some bizarre symptoms that go away when dry. I can't see how throttle body issues would change from idle/park to idle/drive. Earlier cruisers still had a cable to throttle. Easy to inspect, though.
The above info seems the right way to go, by cleaning the throttle body and MAF sensor, then disconnect the battery for 30 mins then start vehicle and let idle for 15 mins with no accessories on.
I'd check the fuel pump.
But just as likely, is the vacuum system or throttle body. Clean the throttle body. Check for vacuum leaks.
I'd get an OBD-II scanner and take a look at the short term and long term fuel trims. If they are way out of wack, then there's definitely something going on. Idle is most affected by fueling or vacuum leaks in the system.
Is there conditions where the issue more likely happens? Hot or cold enigne?
But just as likely, is the vacuum system or throttle body. Clean the throttle body. Check for vacuum leaks.
I'd get an OBD-II scanner and take a look at the short term and long term fuel trims. If they are way out of wack, then there's definitely something going on. Idle is most affected by fueling or vacuum leaks in the system.
Is there conditions where the issue more likely happens? Hot or cold enigne?
- Thread starter
- #12
Thanks so much for the tip. I'll definitely try it.
- Thread starter
- #13
Don't have techstream but do have good relationship with tech guy. I'll pass on your info to him. I'm afraid I'm old and still not up to speed on much of anything more modern than carburetors, etc.
- Thread starter
- #14
It's a 2000 LC. It's only done this trick one time, but that's enough to spook the wife's confidence. I did change the alternator and disconnected the battery in that process. Perhaps that has fixed it. Thanks for the info.