ignition control module trouble shooting?

Hey guys, hopefully someone can help me? Ive got a 2001 tacoma v6 4x4 5 spd. Over the past two weeks ive noticed that very randomly when im driving the motor acts like its missfiring and the tach drops to 0 and the truck is still running, when i rev it up it sputters a little and then will catch, this will happen if im sitting at a light also. it was doing this for a week and a half and then it wouldnt start one night and finally through a check engine light. I got it started by fluttering the gas, took it to a buddie and he put his scanner on it. It said the ignition control module is not sending a timing signal or a conformation signal. its a nice snap on scanner but it didnt say if there is any way to test the module. it started this morning I stopped and got gas, and now will crank but wont fire. has this happened to anyone? any ideas? that module is $470.00 at toyota, just want to make sure its bad before i buy a new one.