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Truck dies with low idle

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by sbrittany009, Jun 30, 2018.

  1. Jun 30, 2018 at 7:08 PM
    #1
    sbrittany009

    sbrittany009 [OP] New Member

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    has anyone had the issue of when stopping at a stop light and your truck starts to idle low and then just completely cuts power and the check engine light and battery light comes on? i have a first gen (2003). i have to put my truck in park then turn it off and back on and it still continues to idle at like 250 rpm then it’ll jump up to 1 grand rpm.
     
    Sip69 likes this.
  2. Jun 30, 2018 at 7:35 PM
    #2
    Casper421

    Casper421 Toyota RidgeTrac driver!

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    Sounds like a bad alternator. Similar symptoms on my old v8 4Runner when the alternator shit the bed.
     
  3. Jul 1, 2018 at 6:45 AM
    #3
    sbrittany009

    sbrittany009 [OP] New Member

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    lthsnk you i really had no idea what if could have been so i wanted to ask it happens atleast once a day.
     
  4. Jul 1, 2018 at 6:51 AM
    #4
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Maybe clean your throttle body valve and your MAF sensor if those haven’t been done recently. Throttle body takes about 1/2 hour to partially remove and spray with cleaner. MAF is a 5 minute job. Youtube is your friend. Cheap easy place to start then move to alternator.
     
  5. Jul 1, 2018 at 7:31 AM
    #5
    Nick T

    Nick T New Member

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    What is your check engine code(s). What volts do you get with the truck running from the alternator (I doubt it is the alternator but check to rule it out) ? Mileage and previous maintenance ?
    Start with the easy stuff like cleaning your MAF and throttle body as suggested, how long since tune up? New plugs, air filter, gas filter etc. Does the CEL code say it is a misfire, running lean/rich ?
     
  6. Jul 1, 2018 at 11:26 AM
    #6
    sbrittany009

    sbrittany009 [OP] New Member

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    the check engine light isn’t on when it’s running it only turns on along with the battery light when my truck dies
     
  7. Jul 1, 2018 at 11:50 AM
    #7
    Grumpy Uncle

    Grumpy Uncle Pushing string down the hall SSEM #10

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    Do you know if your truck is throwing codes? It sounds to me almost like M.A.F sensor is going flakey.
     
  8. Jul 1, 2018 at 1:22 PM
    #8
    sbrittany009

    sbrittany009 [OP] New Member

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    no it’s not literally itll just die off but act like it’s in ac mode it’s really weird
     
  9. Jul 1, 2018 at 2:43 PM
    #9
    Nick T

    Nick T New Member

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    Do your basic tune-up, plugs, air filter, fuel filter, clean MAF. If high mileage and truck still idles low after the tune-up change your ignition coils.
     
    GeezePlease likes this.
  10. Aug 10, 2020 at 8:14 PM
    #10
    NoviceTruckOwner

    NoviceTruckOwner New Member

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    I had the same problem on mine. I cleaned the throttle body with some tb cleaner and I opened the flange held in by two screws right above and behind the tb and cleaned inside that with a wire brush and tb cleaner. My truck went from less than 500 and dying at stops to revving about 700-1000 rpms.
     
  11. Aug 10, 2020 at 8:19 PM
    #11
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

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    Don't forget the vacuum hoses. Notorious culprit for idle issues.
     
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  12. Aug 11, 2020 at 3:08 AM
    #12
    tvpierce

    tvpierce Formerly New Member

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    Just to be clear, the Check Engine light and battery light coming on are not an indication of any problem. They're coming on because the key is in the on position and the engine isn't running. That's normal behavior -- it happens every time just before the engine is started.

    I doubt your alternator is bad. If it was, the starter would crank really slowly and after a couple of times, you wouldn't be able to re-start the engine.

    As others have said, dirty MAF sensor and TB are likely suspects. Personally, I'd want to know which one was causing it... so I'd do the MAF sensor first (cause it's easiest) then run the truck and see what happens. Even if that does fix it, I'd still clean the TB as preventive maintenance.
     
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  13. Aug 11, 2020 at 3:18 AM
    #13
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

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    Ding! Ding! Ding!​

    X2 for vacuum hoses​

    After I installed my new ones I cautiously played around with unhooking hoses to see what they did, and how the engine reacted. I have a rough log stored in my brain case now for future reference.

    I ordered this kit, and loved it. We do have different engines though. Not sure how much you will need vs. How much I needed.

    Heres a link to a general post I made about them.
     
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  14. Aug 11, 2020 at 11:21 AM
    #14
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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  15. Aug 11, 2020 at 1:54 PM
    #15
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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  16. Apr 9, 2021 at 12:31 PM
    #16
    Sip69

    Sip69 New Member

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    I had this same problem. Brake booster had a vacuum leak.
     
    Voss likes this.

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