engine dies when i come to a stop

Just got a pretty decent deal on a 95 4x4 tacoma. I got it pretty cheap b/c the motor cuts off sometimes when you come to a stop. Im a pretty good wrench turner and would like some suggestions on where to stert trouble shooting the problem. The motor starts right back up when i put it in neutral. By the way its a v6.

 

Any CEL come on in the dash?
Could be MAF sensor needs cleaning or buy a rebuilt one like I did after 150,000 miles i believe it needed it. Made a world of difference
Have you checked your sparkplugs I know on mine when I bought it which was used it had the wrong plugs in there. Mine called for the double electrode kind NGK or Denso plugs I went with NGK plugs. Made a world of difference also.
Check your airfilter also.
If the fuel filter hasn't been replaced in a long while change that out. I used a Wix filter others buy OEM it also helps the fuel pump. If it is dirty it makes the fuel pump work harder. Seafoam the crap out of it. It won't hurt nothing. Someone else might chime in and give some more advice anyway thats my 2 cents

 

I would test fuel pressure. I had a motorcycle that did this. I discovered that at high RPM the piston could pull enough gas in to stay running but when it idled, it would burn the fumes and die. My guess is fuel rail related.

Edit: The pump was weak on my motorcycle. New pump and it was fine.

 

It don't have any lights on on the dash. Going to change the plugs and clean the maf first. Where should I check the fuel pressure at?

 

well if your's is like mine 3.4 V6 your filter should be on the drivers side under the truck almost under the door but on the inside of the frame rail. Your fuel line goes into the filter there. i guess you could check the pressure there. Or do like the FSM says.

 

I had the same problem. Take the air intake off clean that and the MAS and take the throttle body off and flush it out and clean it. That fixed the problem for me.

 

I just took a look around under the hood. I think its the MAF( the first sensor after the filter) doesnt have a plug to go in it. Its not hooked up at all. I looked everywhere and cant find the plug. Kinda funny b/c theres still no check engine light. Any ideas?

 

Does the RPM's drop before it cuts out? If so, could be an idle air control valve issue. Its an easy fix but it'll cost you a few hundred bucks...

 

hope this is the right pic

 

i dont think this is the right airbox. It doesnt line up with the bolts.

 

The rpms dont really drop, its just stutters a little and dies.

 

You should check the idle air control valve too

 

This is a 3.sl0w engine or a 5vz-fe?

 

whats that mean?

 

The airbox you took a picture of looks like one from the Toyota 3.0L engine found in Toyota trucks before the Tacoma. The Tacoma has a 3.4L 5vz-fe engine that looks like this:

 

my engine looks the same. It was in a wreck and i think they just threw a old school airbox on it. The airbox is held on the truck with 1 bolt. You think the flap inside of the part that i showed in the pic is closing when i hit the brake and cutting off the airflow?

 

Very possible I suppose. Personally I would look for a new intake just because it sounds janky the way it is. Is there a way you can modify the airbox so there's no flap?

 

I think im going to drive it without the airbox tomorrow and see what it does. I will be checking the scrapyards for the correct box for sure.

 

Sounds like idle air control valve. Had this issue on a few cars I've owned. You can try taking brake cleaner to it. If that doesn't work, you may need to replace it completely. The IACV runs about $200-$300 from what I remember.

 

IACV issue signs:

When you're driving and slow or come to a stop the engine cuts out or when you cold start, it doesn't want to stay on sometimes.

When it gets bad and starts cutting off all the time, try using 2 feet. When you come to a stop, brake with your left foot and give the throttle slight gas to keep the RPM's above normal idle. If this keeps the engine from stalling, you can be confident that its the IACV.