Where should I go for diagnoses?

2001 Tacoma, DC, automatic, (edit: 3.4L) V6

A few issues with my taco have started to pop up and I feel like it has something to do with the 1500 mile road trip I took a few months ago. I would like to know where I should go to have these problems diagnosed? A local shop or the stealership? The local shop wasn't able to pull my check engine light code that has been on for a year and a half so I suspect it's time to go to the stealership?

Additionally, a description of the issues I'm having in case anyone has a clue.
- When in park, the tachometer revs up and down without me pressing anything. (I have attached a video where you can also hear the engine going up and down)
- When cruising with my foot on the gas, sometimes the truck will kinda jerk forward. It also clanks when changing gears.
- Clanky click coming from the suspension. Especially when making left turns and going over bumps or down dips.

Thanks for the help.

 

Never mind. I wasn't able to upload the video.

 

4.0v6?

 

Nice catch.

Did someone do some backyard engine swapping and the lights not hooked up?

 

3.4L ??

Welcome to TW!!

 

Why can't this shop perform the most basic of diagnostics? Almost every auto parts store should be able to pull a code for you, or you can get a cheap reader off the internet to use with your phone...

Sounds like at a minimum you need to do some basic front end maintenance, and replace all the ball joints and bushings. The rpm thing is likely a bad throttle position sensor and maybe a sticky throttle cable.

 

Can't upload videos directly to TW, have to upload them to Youtube or another video platform then share the link here

 

Time to jack up the front end and with a pry bar check the ball joints (all)

Jerk forward ? or seem like it forgets what it's doing? Like a quick pause?

 

Thanks for letting me know. Y'all can tell I'm new here lmao

 

I'm currently away at college and don't have too many tools laying around. Are those tools I can rent at a shop or should I just have the shop check for me?

I wouldn't say pause but more like a jump. Like it's changing gears?

 

About the tach revving up and down without pressing the gas. I had issues like that before and it was due to a dirty throttle body. The TB gets dirty and the flap doesn't properly, causing a weird idle. When was the last time you cleaned it? If its been awhile, buy some TB cleaner and clean it with an old toothbrush.


Pick a video.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=2004+toyota+tacoma+throttle+body+cleaning

 

I had a problem with mine, that it would literally clunk (forget?) when the gas pedal was pressed (or crusin) that would literally shake the truck for a split second. Had it for 2 years. After much searching, putterin and lookin all around the only 2 things I could come up with is either the Gulf States RS2000 went wonky or the ECU has gone bezerk. I had a shop remove the RS2000 (3000?) anti-theft and it still did it. Then I replaced the ECU and it cured it. This may also be why your shop could not communicate with the ECU to pull the codes. Just food for thought. Our trucks are old.

 

I wonder if the DLC fuse is blown and wouldn't let them communicate?

Did they charge a fee to diagnose the problems?

Avoid any place that doesn't charge to diagnose. By not charging you they're putting themselves in a position where they can't spend any meaningful time with the problem . They'll hook up a scanner, if they don't see any quick easy fixes in the first couple minutes they'll shrug and hand you the keys back

 

Mine would surge forward briefly when I was cruising steadily, and it was the throttle kickdown cable adjusted too tight. Probably could be other things.

 

Took a look at many of y'alls suggestions. Many of them are out of my wheel house as I have very limited access to tools and I'm quite inexperienced in working mechanically on my truck.
That being said, I know that I have to take it in but I'm still stuck on where I should take it. Dealership or local mechanic?

 

I noticed that most of the dealership mechanics are young guys who never worked on our old trucks. If you wind up going there, find out if they have any old mechanics who are familiar with the truck. The only benefit to going to the dealership is they generally want to maintain a good reputation and will stand behind their work.

 

If you're limited, I would find a Toyota Specialist around you. I've had good luck with Yelp but read the comments. Let them know the issues. Last resort would be the dealership.

 

1st gens have been around long enough that you don't need a specialist. Just find an independent place with a good reputation

 

True, but if it's a Toyota mechanic that deals with Toyota's all day, every day, he will probably figure out the issue before the other guy.

 

I don't really have a good reason to suggest a local mechanic over a dealership or viseversa, but I will say that either way, you should educate yourself on what the process is- ask both how they plan to diagnose your issue, and what that costs you vs the cost the fix, etc... What assurance do they have that their solution will fix your issue- ultimately you don't want to end up in a situation where either the mechanic or dealership resorts (or starts off with) a parts cannon. And lastly- you should learn what they are doing so that you don't get taken for ride- and that they are replacing parts or servicing systems which are actually related to your issue.

There was a thread the other day where a guy took his truck to dealership for an oil change, and they ended up replacing a head gasket and getting debris in the motor. That guy should have had a lot of questions as to why and how they found a HG leak while doing an oil change. He should have gotten second opinion at a minimum before proceeding with the work on what was an otherwise healthy beforehand vehicle. So its more of a matter of knowing that an oil change shouldn't be related to a HG leak. And that wouldn't limited to a dealership.