01 4runner throttle response

Looking to buy an 01 with 315k on the dash. 5vz fe automatic 2wd. Guy claims he is not a mechanic. Let me drive through his neighborhood. I didnt go much over 35.

When pressing into the gas around 2300 rpm to accelerate the truck goes vhh vhh vhh like it is jumping. But on lighter throttle it seems to accelerate fine. At a stop or rolling without throttle the truck died on me. I tried driving with a loose gas cap. No difference.

When in neutral, the truck has a delayed throttle response, but doesn't seem to do the jumping rpm. When I twist the throttle under the hood I can hear the intake suck, then a second later the motor revs up, and will hold steady rpm.

I already have a large project on my hands, restoring an 85 solid axle Xtra cab.

Anyone know what could solve this issue on the 4runner?

 

My take, this sounds like a very worn\dirty throttle body and probably the TPD and PPS are shot.

I was getting similar driveability issues, including surging with the AC on. The ECU simply couldn't tell where the gas pedal or the throttle cable was to perform properly.

I bought the entire TB assembly new from TOYOTA. And it solved EVERYTHING.

I think the last time I checked that assembly was $450 (I paid $650 so there has been a price drop).

Otherwise, you will need to pull the TB, clean it, replace the TPS and PPS and probably will help immensely and be much cheaper.

I bought my rig new in 2002 and I am willing to throw top of the line parts at it because she's earned it.

 

...also, I replaced ALL hoses with TOYOTA molded hoses when I swapped in the new Throttle Body. Mine were rock hard and while I didn't get a lean code which would be for a vacuum leak, they couldn't have been helping things.

She literally drives like she did from the dealer 23 years ago.

 

I really want to bite the bullet on this one.

If this helps, my reader read codes: P0440 (Evaporative Emission System-pending); P0441 (Evaporative Emission System Incorrect Purge Flow-pending); P0446 (Evaporative Emission System Vent Control Circuit-pending)

My dad has had plenty of Toyota trucks, mostly 3rd gen runners in my lifetime. We both know how to work on them by now. I'm just trying to diagnose this issue before I get another project on my hands.

 

That evap stuff. I went through that too. Easiest was to just buy the entire charcoal canister assembly and all the gaskets and valves for the gas tank and rebuild everything once you drop the tank.

I think parts were like$600 and time was a weekend.

I have a complete write-up on both these issues with part numbers from Toyota on another 4R site.

Evap stuff doesn't usually lead to any driving issues... Just codes. It's just venting fumes that it shouldn't.

 

Those codes were different from what I got, the only thing I didn't replace was the evap valve under the hood. I bet the valves in the Charcoal canister are bad and are not responding to the ECU.

In 2001 they moved the charcoal canister to under the spare tire and it leads a very hard life. Which is why I plunked down$400 for a complete assembly. It came with scads of hoses, valves and the wiring harness. The canister itself is probably fine.

 

Not trying to talk you into it, but these things wouldn't really scare me. This is normal wear on a 24 year old vehicle. It's probably going to be a project of some degree though. All cars are.

 

I understand, that some money and time will be necessary, I would just like to have a goo idea of what I'd be getting into.

I saw on another forum, something about after the battery is removed and put back. that the truck has to "re-learn", or some term like that. ex. you might have to drive 10 miles.

Could this guy have let the battery die, or remove it, and the truck just need a simple reset?

 

although, 315k is high. i wouldn't be surprised if TB is dirty

(high, if proper maintenance was not done)

 

No. After reconnecting a battery, it should just run at a higher rpm for a while. It doesn't relearn the hesitation and surging and stuff like that. Those things should never happen. You can't reset them away.

 

gotcha.

Apparently a mechanic told the guy it was running that way because of the valve cover gaskets. so he had those replaced. and then that mechanic sent him to another shop for some $1300 in parts. I forget what was on the list, ill have to ask him for a picture of the receipt. Also guy claims he had a shop change the purge solenoid.

seller thinks that chopping off or replacing the catalytic converter would solve the issue

 

Good Lord. That mechanic is beyond stupid.

The seller is too.

How is chopping the cat going to make it run better? Now the ecu has no clue on how to mix air and fuel! It'll make its best guess but it won't be any better.

 

If you aren't getting a code, the cat is most likely fine. The TB is the heart of all those driveability issues. Maybe a slight vacuum leak could add to it.

 

I'm sorry, i may have worded that to be confusing. The seller was recommending to chop off the catalytic converters. and that would solve the issue.

everything is still intact on the truck. seems like oem parts have been used. at least for all I could see

the transmission seemed shift fine. Even still, I would plan on installing a transgo shift kit, as my dad has done to all of his 4runners. and a tundra. I would recommend you install one in your transmission, you should look into it.

 

i get what you are saying. the throttle body seems like the place to look to chase down any issues

 

No offense. But I will never.

Car shifts perfectly and I have 297k on her.

 

Honestly. you should be good. considering it is a one owner vehicle. that way you know how the transmission has been taken care of.

shift kit is just a precaution we believe is worth taking. Also, a supercharged 5vz fe with a shift kit in the rain can be quite exciting. even on dry road, she would chirp the tires going into 2nd gear. that was a fun truck to grow up in. My dad ended up letting me drive ot to my 5th grade graduation in that truck. (just 5 minutes down the road, and he was riding shotgun)

 

any chance you have an e-locker, or do you have knowledge of them? would it be worth starting a new thread? or is a question on how to lock it without a wiring harness on it not worthy of this site?

I am new to this site and i am satisfied. thank you for the in put

 

2001-2002 4x4s do not have e-lockers. They have center lockers. That's all I know.

 

the truck I'm looking at doesn't have one. but my dads current 4-runner does. the wiring does not go anywhere. just a plug hanging now. We've never attempted to lock it. but would like to figure out how. When i get a picture ill post it to this thread.

by the way, the seller of the 01 sent me the shop receipts. content include an oil change, fuel treatment, valve cover gasket set, canister purge solenoid, and intake manifold gasket.

 

here is my dads 4runner, hitting 750,000. with the transgo shift kit in it.

https://youtu.be/utjcxGxuhWs?si=cr_laMzm_ndO5Dtj