96 Tacoma shuts off/restarts no codes

Hi, new member here. Hoping to get some good advice on my father-in-laws 96 Tacoma 2.4L.
1) Had crank/no start condition, shop found shorted distributor. New distributor fixed the problem.
2) Ran great for a couple of weeks then started shutting off without warning after warm up, but would easily start right back up.
3) shutting off gradually got worse over a couple of weeks. Sitting idle it will shut off. Driving, it would shut off and start back up on its own (automatic transmission). Naturally, the check engine light would come on each time it shut off (no codes stored though).
4) Right now, I can sit in the driveway, holding at high idle about 2500 rpm and after warmup it will surge down to 1000 rpm (check engine light comes on) and go back up to 2500 (check engine light goes off. This will happen about every 5-10-15 seconds. Comments greatly appreciated
Note: This happens with A/C on or off.

 

Welcome to the Forum!!!

Broken wire or loose connection ( distributor ?) shutting off ignition if the engine stalls and restarts while driving at road speed.

Sounds like a fuel issue . Fresh fuel if it has not been driven.


Fuel filter and check fuel pressure.

When the engine stalls the Check engine light should light.

 

Thanks for your reply. Now that you mention it, it did start happening soon after filling the tank from empty. I added a fuel additive to remove any water but have not changed the fuel filter. Chances are, this fuel filter is also a ‘96. I’ll change the gas and filter and see if it helps. Thanks again

 

I say fuel filter too... Good luck!

 

Hope it’s that cheap to fix. Thanks

 

Good luck!