2004 Tacoma occasionally stalling

The main issue I am having is related to the truck stalling randomly, but there is another issue (dashboard lights) that seem like they could possibly be related, so I am going to describe that as well. I do not know anything about cars, so if the dashboard lights are definitely not related, feel free to ignore that part. I think I have read every post on here about similar stalling issues, but they all seem different enough (either manual transmission, mine is automatic, or seem to involve problems starting, or seem to happen every time the truck is driven).

In February (10 months ago) I noticed some of the dashboard lights on the right side (fuel gauge, speedometer) did not work anymore. The truck is 18 years old, so I just assumed the bulbs were burnt out.

April (8 months ago) was he first time the stalling issue happened - I was driving downhill when many of the dashboard warning lights (CEL, AT oil, do not remember which others) came on. Brake and steering were difficult to use, gas didn't work at all. Managed to pull into a parking lot. Coincidentally, the Toyota dealer was about 100 feet away from where this happened, so I started it back up (started first try) and drove it to the dealership. CEL was off at this point, no issues at all driving. Toyota looked it over - said there was no record of CEL code, checked drive belts, charging system, they tried wiggling different wires to get it to stall, nothing. The mechanic had said that it "ran perfectly". At the time I had been low on gas (1/8 tank, but the gauge has always been off a bit) and I found a post somewhere on here where running out of gas caused a similar issue, so I assumed that was what the problem was.

At some point after this, the other 2 dashboard gauge lights (RPM, temperature) went out. The warning lights & turn signal lights have always continued to work, but at this point all 4 gauge lights were broken.

In September (3 months ago), I randomly had an issue starting the truck. Do not remember the details but it took a few tries. When I did get it started, the CEL was on. After about a half hour of driving, the CEL went off, and surprisingly, all the dashboard lights worked again. Aside from a dead battery a few years ago, this is the only time in 10 years I have had trouble starting the truck.

About a week ago, I started my truck to find that the right side dashboard lights were broken again. Then 2 days ago, the lights were working again.

Yesterday I had the stalling issue again. Totally different conditions - I had filled the tank about a half hour before, so was not low on gas. I was driving on the highway, with cruise control on, when it suddenly started slowing down. Gas pedal did nothing, no power steering. Did not notice if the CEL was on this time but the battery light was definitely on. Pulled over, turned the truck off and immediately back on. Started fine, drove great for another hour. Haven't driven it since.

Any ideas? The dealership that looked at it the first time said they would look at it again free if it happened again but I think it was only for 90 days. If there is anything that would be fairly easy to check myself, any suggestions would be great.

 

engine?

 

When the truck stalls out, it may just illuminate a lot of lights on the dash including the CEL even if there isn't a CEL, which would explain why Toyota said there wasn't any record of it...

How many miles? What's the service history?

Sounds like your fuel pump may be going out and because it's so cheap, I would replace the fuel filter that is bolted to the frame underneath the driver seat. (At least on the 2003 V6 I had).

 

Also, the intermittent lights could be many things. I would first start by unplugging the battery then pull apart the dash in front of the steering wheel to inspect, unplug and replug the connections to the instrument cluster. One of those plugs may be loose OR upon inspection, you may notice some issue with the wiring.

Maybe a mouse got in there and chewed a little bit.

Maybe your aftermarket electronics additions (if you have any) is causing an issue with a ground or something. Who knows. We don't have all the info and history.

 

Lastly, after you replace the fuel filter, buy some type of OBDII scanner to have in the truck with you. The next time the CEL shows up, IMMEDIATELY pull over and leave the truck running. Connect the reader and see if you can pull a code.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone!

Engine is 3.4 Liter DOHC V6 SFI Engine 4 Speed
Only aftermarket electronics is radio, which I installed myself 10 years ago, so it could definitely be something with that.

It has around 140k miles.

Service history - I bought it with about 100k miles on it. Had new water pump when I bought it. Not sure of anything else previous owner did.
Since I have had it - new timing belt, O2 sensor replacements, one catalytic converter replaced, new rack and pinion, new e-brake, new rear spring hangers. Toyota also replaced the frame under warranty in 2017.

I also did whatever the recommended maintenance was for 120k miles.

Many issues have been rust related. The truck has lived in New England its entire life, and the rust was already pretty bad when I bought it.

Have not had any service related to fuel pump.

 

Thanks, that makes sense. I added the service history/miles in previous post. Do you still think fuel pump with only 140k miles? I thought they usually lasted longer. Do not know when fuel filter was replaced so I will check that out.

Thank you! Are you talking about the MAF sensor? I added engine/service info above (Engine is 3.4 Liter DOHC V6 SFI Engine 4 Speed)

That is a good idea, thanks.

 

It will not hurt to clean the MAF.

Buy some CRC (brand) MAF cleaner spray. Careful to not strip out the JIS screws holding the MAF in the intake tube. Do NOT TOUCH the MAF itself, do not "scrub" or wipe it with a q-tip or paper towel. Do not touch it. Just spray the cleaner on it from different angles. I recommend leaving the battery unplugged for a few hours as the MAF will now show new readings and having the battery unplugged will help the ECU relearn with these values quicker.

As for the fuel pump, I'd hold off on now. I never replaced it on my 2003 and I sold it a few years ago with 265k miles. But I had replaced the fuel filter twice - once when I bought it at 165k and then again around 200k just for cheap insurance. Read up on how to depressurize the fuel system before you start loosening fuel lines though or you'll likely be sprayed with gas.

 

Because it hasn't been suggested yet- I'd also inspect your battery cables and terminals for corrosion.

 

All things wear out eventually........Check your ignition switch.....they have weird symptoms like yours....

Mine would start and run.....and then after hot it would feel like it was starving for gas...
and then sometimes die.....

Later I would just be driving and am2 fuse would blow and then we coast to a stop....

let it cool for half an hour, replace fuse and starts right up.........for a while....

usually would die giving it gas taking off from a light......


After taking apart the switch you could see the fried and deformed contacts.....on the 30a side.......

 

Have a trustworthy shop diagnose it. Usually $150-$200 tops. If they can't figure out the issue, most shops won't charge you. Instead of throwing parts at it. Just IMO.

 

Alternator trouble?

 

This is where I would start, especially the grounding points.

 

i bet this is it. New battery, check alternator, clean terminals..