Problems with my 1996 Toyota Tacoma

[SeaRun1]

Hey guys,

Trying to see if I can fix this on my own before taking it to a mechanic.  A couple of years ago I developed a stuttering/hesitation problem with my Tacoma.  We did a general tune up and replaced a lot of things like spark plugs and cables, thermostat and a few other things I cannot remember.  My buddy that works on cars helped me as I do my oil changes and brakes but not much beyond that.

It fixed the problem for a few years but now I am getting it worse.  I can’t really drive it to far it hesitates so bad.  It starts and idles fine.  Any thoughts? 

Where should I start?

Thanks

SR1

[BigCutty3]

We just went through this with my sons 2001 Tacoma Started with the plugs and wires, then fuel filter, then fuel pump. Kept doing it.  He had the dealership pull the tank and fuel line and it was a piece of plastic stuck in the line.  His issue was hesitation/stumbling at between 2500-3000 in 2nd and 3rd gear mostly.

[Fidelk]

I'd rule out a clogged or partially clogged fuel filter. Years ago, thin little metal flakes trapped in the fuel filter were driving me and my mechanic crazy.

I'm scheduled for a "fuel induction system cleaning, that includes throttle body service and mass air flow sensor service".

[Smokeploe]

SeaRun

Have you cleaned your throttle body, right where the throttle plate is?  You need a old toothbrush and a can of carb cleaner.  Take off the intake hose and use a flashlight look inside and see if a ring of carbon is around the throttle bore clean it off spray, open throttle and brush.
It can cause stuttering and missing.

Good luck
Smokeploe

[jeffro]

Which motor?
And pray it isn’t a head gasket!

[JBar]

Is it throwing a code? Don’t remember the code mine would throw but mine did that and it was arching on the rear drivers side plug wire. Would do that every year to two years. Always the same one

[jason stevens]

I've got a 96 an had the same issue mine was the mass air sensor. Cost me 12 bucks. Not sure if that will work for you but try it. Also check the toyota forum. Lots of good information

[SeaRun1]

I have the 3.4 liter engine.  I have had this truck since 1997 so want to get a few more years out of it.

I will try the mass air sensor and cleaning the throttle bod6 first.  Thanks for the advice guys.

SR1

[Zardoz]

Is it throwing a code? Don’t remember the code mine would throw but mine did that and it was arching on the rear drivers side plug wire. Would do that every year to two years. Always the same one

   Without a code, you are just wasting time and money. Either spend some money for your own reader, or pay a shop to do it for you. 

[HntnFsh]

Buy a Blue tooth dongle off Amazon and download Torque Pro app for a great diagnostic tool for about $20. Will read and clear codes and a whole lot more!

[SeaRun1]

I have a obdi code reader.  It’s not throwing a code unfortunately.  I cleaned the throttle body and mass air sensor and put in a new air filter.  No improvement in the hesitation.  You can hear it at idle and it’s missing when you drive.  I thought I would try a new fuel filter as well.

SR1

[Teepee96]

I had nearly the same issue in my 01 Tacoma, for me it turned out to be my throttle position sensor was going out.
Very easy to get to and a fairly cheap part if I remember correctly

[Fastass350]

Can’t hurt to check the grounds to the engine, probably not the issue if you’ve owned it for a long time and it hasn’t been torn apart, but on ones that have been torn down I’ve seen grounds that were left loose cause weird things. It’s worth the time to take them off and clean them up.

[longtrails]

You say no codes correct? Starts and idles fine till it gets up in rpm. Have you checked your fuel pump pressure and flow test? You also said a tune up fixed it last time, if you did a tune up with cheap parts you may need another tune up again. Have you ever had a p420 code of a catalytic converter  inefficient test fail? May also be a blown intake manifold leak. Spray brake cleaner or carb cleaner around where the gasket is and listen for the idle to rise if it does theres your problem. Also look for vacum lines loose, craked or holes. Also check flexible intake between manifold and the maf sensor. Any air that is not being read by the maf sensor will throw your fuel trims off and make it run bad. These are some of the top things that make an older car run bad without codes being popped at the top of my head right now. It is late so i cant think of everything but those are what i came up with on the fly. If you need the truck back quick take it to a mechanic, though parts are a pain right now to get right now. Or just have them diag it and have your buddy do the work.   

[Lokaybinnity]

i second throttle positioning sensor 100 percent your problem. i have the 2.7 and it was located on the backside of the throttle body top of motor look it up on you tube easy fix cant remember the price but once figured out it took me ten min maybe. it never threw a code and if it doesn't throw a code its tough to diagnose. a mechanic will take you to the cleaners now a days for a easy fix.