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loss of power and a lot of hestitating


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danimalmx3
New User

Mar 13, 2008, 11:04 AM

Post #1 of 9 (2537 views)
loss of power and a lot of hestitating Sign In

I have a 97 Toyota 4 Runner Limited. V6 3.4L. At speeds above 20mph it hesitates and sputters. At freeway speeds it loses a lot of power. I had the same issues with a Pathfinder many years back. After over $300 in tests they found it was the O2 sensor. Trying to save a lil money on tests I decided to replace both sensors hoping that was the issue. Both new sensors are in place and the same issues remain. Any ideas?

Thanks

Dan


Double J
Veteran / Moderator
Double J profile image

Mar 13, 2008, 11:30 AM

Post #2 of 9 (2533 views)
Re: loss of power and a lot of hestitating Sign In

Does the service engine soon light come on?
Good idea maybe to stop by Autozone and have the computer system checked for any trouble codes...its free....
If any,post 'em and will try to help..
Has the vehicle been tuned up? fuel filter replaced?

Sometimes its the basics we forget to do with the modern stuff...
Might be a good idea to try tune up with wires and new air and fuel filters first.

Jim


danimalmx3
New User

Mar 13, 2008, 11:37 AM

Post #3 of 9 (2531 views)
Re: loss of power and a lot of hestitating Sign In

Yes the engine light is on. I have not had it tuned up in about a year. I didnt replace the fuel filter because when in neutral I can rev the engine and the rpms rise without any hesitation. The air filter was replaced about a month ago. Do all Autozones provice that service for free? I took a bad gamble with replacing the O2 sensors because it was the exact same issues I was having with my Pathfinder.

Thanks


Double J
Veteran / Moderator
Double J profile image

Mar 13, 2008, 2:38 PM

Post #4 of 9 (2527 views)
Re: loss of power and a lot of hestitating Sign In

Yes....as far as I know ,all Autozone will read codes for free..
So does Advance Auto, Murrays...etc..most of the chains due I believe...
Have 'em read and post 'em...will go from there.
And either way...good practice...change that fuel filter....won't hurt anything for sure and preventive maintenence is always good too.

Let us know...

Jim


danimalmx3
New User

Mar 19, 2008, 4:57 PM

Post #5 of 9 (2508 views)
Re: loss of power and a lot of hestitating Sign In

All the autozones around charge for that service. I took it into SpeeDee's (a well trusted tune up place around here) and had a diagnostic done on it. They came up with two things. One- There was a misfire on cylinder 3. Two - a bad computer. I went ahead and replaced the wires and plugs as he said that is what was causing the hesitation. Seemed to run a lot better but still had some hesitation at freeway speeds. It also seemed like the the loss of power was evident, hill climbing was almost at a crawl. Taking off at times also seemed like no power was there. For some reason it appeared to run better cold than when heated up? I took it back in at explained just like above. He said it was because of my computer. He said that the computer is not really knwoing what to tell the emission controls therefore making the engine comtinue to hestitate at times. The check engine light came back on and he said that the computer is still receiving bad signals and again it doesnt know what to tell the engine to do. He said that my car was basically "limping" right now, a point in which it will still get from here to there without damaging anything but still receving bad signals.

Does this sound accurate?

He also quoted a price of $1300 for the computer, labor not included. I looked it up on Kragens online and it was in the range of $400. Am I looking at the right computer?

Thanks

Dan


Double J
Veteran / Moderator
Double J profile image

Mar 19, 2008, 6:32 PM

Post #6 of 9 (2507 views)
Re: loss of power and a lot of hestitating Sign In

Yes ..the systems are set to go into a limp in /fail safe mode where it will run to get you to a service facility.
AS far as that being the problem,well if he is the trusted shop...you go with it..but if there is ever a doubt,get a second opinion first ..but don't tell the 2nd shop the 1st shop findings....
As far as price,I sure don't know but I do know "puters can be expensive,plus remember the shop has a markup on the parts...

Surprised that Autozone charges for that..never heard of them doing that...I go to at least 5 different ones near me and they all do it for free...maybe a call to corporate and ask them if that is the case ...they do it for free in hopes to sell you parts /accessories/tools.HMMMMMShocked


(This post was edited by JIM N on Mar 19, 2008, 10:18 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 20, 2008, 5:30 AM

Post #7 of 9 (2503 views)
Re: loss of power and a lot of hestitating Sign In

Comment: AutoZones here boast code checking that it's free in their front window! Can't say about others as there aren't many large chain competitors in my area,

T



Double J
Veteran / Moderator
Double J profile image

Mar 20, 2008, 3:04 PM

Post #8 of 9 (2500 views)
Re: loss of power and a lot of hestitating Sign In

I have a few chains by me....
Advance....affiliated with chekers/kragen
Autozone
Murrays...Chekers/Kragen affiliate....
Pep Boys
etc...
They all do it for free.
I have so many parts stores within 5 miles of me,chains and private owned...its amazing any of 'em make money...
The private ones don't rent anything....don't check anything for free...but still good to go to for me at times,throw back to when a parts store was a parts store..."youse" old timers will know what I'm talking about...
They still deal mainly with the dealers and independent shops..

Chains have been more suited to the DIY'ER...
I do like the chains now for the lifetime warranties they offer...


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 20, 2008, 3:52 PM

Post #9 of 9 (2496 views)
Re: loss of power and a lot of hestitating Sign In

Funny about the lifetime warranties - they are in for a shock when it comes to me! I'm the turkey that shows up 15 years later and still have the car! Just got new dual exhaust system for an oldie - they'll pay for that! I love it when they want all that junk back too on the counterWink

T







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