Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!

Toyota 4Runner Maintenance and Repair

14445464749

Comments

  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    A spoiler on a race car is intended to improve road grip by producing a downward force on the vehicle at high speed. On passenger vehicles including the relatively heavy and non-aerodynamic 4Runner, a spoiler is mostly just decoration with little practical benefit.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • blackdog4blackdog4 Member Posts: 67
    I believe that I read somewhere that the spoiler is supposed to keep the rear window cleaner in bad weather as it changes the air flow coming over the top of the vehicle. I have a Sequoia with a spoiler and it certainly is not a perfect solution.
  • ramhemi03ramhemi03 Member Posts: 7
    If it is to help keep the window clean, why does every 4runner or Sequoia not have a spoiler. If you look most SR5's have one but the Limited's do not. I think that it is just to give the SR5 the sporty look. The Limited already has enough goodies to make it look good.
  • julietjjulietj Member Posts: 15
    The goofy spoiler serves no purpose whatsoever ... if my 4Runner didn't already have one when I got it, I wouldn't have one; in fact, I refused to pay for it. I can't figure out how to take it off without leaving big holes, or it'd be gone! In any case, the rear window gets so dirty in the rain that I can't see out of it, so that's not a good excuse for them either. My best guess is that some people like them, and it's just another expensive ($400) accessory.
  • tpttpt Member Posts: 2
    Hi all. Have a 2010 Runner 4wd Limited. First week and so far so good. Really enjoy the size, ride and features. Question -- i washed it for the firs time today and opened the rear door -- there was water up all along the inside of the doors (not inside the car) but in the areas where the door meets the car frame and along the bumper under the door. For example the hydrolic arms for the door were very wet. Is this normal? Am wondering if they left out a door seal or something. Thoughts? Thanks.
  • tsu670tsu670 Member Posts: 293
    Perhaps the spoiler in the '98 models wasn't very functional, but we have a '08 4Runner Limited with the device, and I must say it does indeed help keep the rear window clear.
  • julietjjulietj Member Posts: 15
    Unless something has changed since 2003 (the year of my Sport Edition) there should be a gasket around the inside edge of the door where it snugs up to the body of the car, and the outside edge beside the windows, but not the outside edge of the door below the window. Water shouldn't get inside the car, but can get in between the door and the door frame outside the gasket, which is where the hinges are.
  • t4r4met4r4me Member Posts: 4
    It was listed as a $200 option on the 4th gens on the sticker - $600 dealer OEM and $200 aftermaket ebay jobbie. Looks nakid without em.
  • boats3boats3 Member Posts: 42
    Here is my issue, I know it is going to be difficult to help but here we go. Just got a 2005, and the air ride light is blinking, has anyone ever had this issue and what was the cause. Also, does anyone know what he cause may be? I am going to take the car to the shop but I was hoping for any insight if someone has run into this before. Thanks.
  • hodapp42hodapp42 Member Posts: 2
    Had a similar problem on my 92 sr5 Runner. Ran perfect until one day, no spark. did everything i could and it ended up being just a loose/bad connection to the battery. this can cause loss of engine power which could affect braking power under adverse conditions (i.e. down a hill). try removing and cleaning terminal connections (checker or place like that sells terminal scrubbing tools for like 5 bucks just ask an employee) and also check/tighten connections to the alternator. hopefully this helps
  • hodapp42hodapp42 Member Posts: 2
    So it all worked great until one day it made a popping sound as i tried to roll down the back glass on the tailgate and it sort of fell on the right side like it came off track. it still goes up and down just needs help to go straight. Does anyone know if this could be an easy fix if i were to take it off and work on it? Or should i take it somewhere to have it fixed? And where could i take it? Appreciate any help. Thanks :sick:
  • 03runer_04tund03runer_04tund Member Posts: 1
    Have an 03 SR5 4X4 4Runner and the inside temperature will only blow cold air on low and hot air on high. There is no in between. Has anyone seen this behavior before and/or know how to resolve?
  • bluethumper019bluethumper019 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 1986 4runner, 4cyl. its been sitting for ten years and i put in a new fuel pump, replaced the alternator, and it has new spark plugs and spark wires. it will start but only after recieving a jump. before the new alternator the batterie would not hold a charge but it hold a good one now. the problem is that it still will not start. it attempts to turn over but just cant do it by itself. what should i do? :confuse:
  • dave290dave290 Member Posts: 2
    oib622, did you ever get a response to your question? I have '95 4Runner with the same problem. I can be driving down the road quietly, hit a small bump and the thing starts howling and I can feel it in the floor board. If I throw it in 4WD it usually stops. Have given the Toyota dealer $4K to fix. They've replaced suspension, tie-rods, wheel bearings, CV's, struts, etc, but it continues...
  • dave290dave290 Member Posts: 2
    Anybody have an idea what may be causing an intermittent, very loud grinding noise coming out of the left front of my 95 4 runner 4x4? Can be driving down the road quietly, hit a small bump and the thing starts howling and I can feel it in the floor board. If I throw it in 4WD it usually stops. Have given the Toyota dealer $4K to fix. They've replaced suspension, tie-rods, wheel bearings, CV's, struts, etc, but it continues.
  • dsc3507dsc3507 Member Posts: 2
    My Wife's 2001 4Runner has CEL and VSC lights on. A scan shows P1135 which translates to Bank 1 Sensor 1 Heater circuit.

    The car has 104,000 miles.

    At this point I have disconnected the front A/F sensor and I measure about 2 ohms heater resistance. I also measured the source voltage and it is about 9.5 volts, measured across the heater pins.

    I cleaned and reseated the connector and reset the code but it returns after the engine heats up or after driving less than a mile.

    At this point I am in a quandary as to what to do. The sensor has never been replaced so it it probably due but the heater seems to be OK by the resistance measurement. Possibly the element could open up as it heats. I am not sure if this is a possible failure scenario.

    I am assuming there is only one forward O2 (A/F) sensor in the 2001 4runner? I did check the rear one and it measured a higher heater resistance which I think is expected.

    In checking through internet data on Toyota I see there is an A/F relay talked about. Is there one in the 2001 4runner?

    Any help or guidance on where to go from here would be appreciated.
  • mhuddlesmhuddles Member Posts: 1
    I have recently bought a 2004 4Runner SR5 4WD and I am looking for help with 2 problems I am having with it. I do not know much of anything about cars so any help is helpful. When I am driving and press the accelerator I can hear a clicking noise that sounds like it is coming from the engine. The fast I go or harder I press the accelerator the louder it gets. Any ideas? Second problem, I live in the mountains and drive on a lot of steep hills. The traction light in the car is always coming on. A LOT and the engine makes a grinding noise and then sometimes the car starts to beep. It has also staled on me twice when this has happened. If anyone has anyideas please let me know. Thanks
  • canddmeyercanddmeyer Member Posts: 410
    The stalling I have no useful info, but the traction light is probably a sensor going awry. Best bet is to have the dealer tackle the traction light issue. Then if it stalls on them they may also find the stalling issue. They'll have to hook the computer up to a diagnostic tool for the VSC, so it may find the stalling issue too.

    As for the engine clicking, I dunno. The V6 engine is known for noisy fuel injectors. The noise though could be many a thing.
  • japfanjapfan Member Posts: 4
    I previously posted a question asking if anyone has had problems with their dash lights going on and off. I am having other problems now as well. The air conditioning is stuck on all the time now! Whenever I turn on the fan, the AC goes on. The switch on the dashboard that is supposed to turn the AC on and off still seems to be working, ( at least it lights up when I push it in). Also, my radio has just stopped working as well. I looked for a fuse that is connected to the radio circuit, and I can't locate one. ( nothing in the fuse box labeled "Radio"). I am going to try and get a TSRM from the library to see exactly how to tear apart the dashboard and locate any fuses for the radio, possibly it may have an inline fuse? I will also have to test the AC switch with a voltmeter to see it that is really working. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
  • buckeyetombuckeyetom Member Posts: 1
    I have a 1995 4Runner with 193,000 miles- 3.0 liter V6. The head gasket was replaced at 135,000 by a mechanic. Recently, after driving for 20 minutes I noticed white smoke coming from the engine. Figured I blew a radiator hose somewhere but was confused as I just replaced the two hoses at the radiator and the 6 hoses by the heater core within the past 2 months.

    Upon filling radiator, I turned on the car to notice a fair amount of radiator fluid dripping under the car and coming off the area by the front differential. Unfortunately, I cannot see around the differential from below or down from above to eye ball this leak.

    If I blew the gasket again, why is there no water in the oil pan(dipstick clean) or why did I not have smoke from the tail pipe? Seems like this leak has to be something else, as the head gasket only has 50k miles on it. Your thoughts and comments are appreciated. buckeyetom
  • duke15duke15 Member Posts: 161
    Has anyone else been experiencing steering wheel shaking / vibrating on their 2010 4X4 SR5? I have 3400 miles, and the truck has done this from the start. It becomes noticeable around 60 mph +- 5 mph. Sometimes it is slight, a few times it has been down right violent. Every time it is visible in addition to the odd feeling. Sometimes it doesn't do it at all. I took it back in shortly after buying the truck and they balanced 2 wheels. It went away for awhile, then came back. Took it back in and they balanced all 4 wheels. It went away for a few weeks, then came back.

    The service department is normally excellent - I've had my 2002 3rd generation serviced there for 6 years now and have never had better overall service from a dealer. We even drove 45 minutes to purchase from this dealer since we liked their service department so much.

    This seems like it might be more than a tire balance issue, but I'm not sure. Is anyone else experiencing something like this with their new generation 4Runner?

    Thanks!
  • duke15duke15 Member Posts: 161
    We are also the only owners of a 2002 3rd Gen 4X4 SR5 with 130K miles on it. We love this truck like no other vehicle we've had and other than one recall on something to do with the steering, it has been great with only routine maintenance.

    The problem we have now is super tight turning of the steering wheel. It does not bother my wife, but I have bad shoulders and have stopped driving the truck for the most part. It isn't as bad as not having power steering, but it is tough when parking, etc.

    The truck does have some miles on it, perhaps there is a routine maintenance item we missed along the way. Has anyone else had this problem and if so, were you able to address it successfully?

    Thanks!
  • misanorthmisanorth Member Posts: 1
    I am a bit late on this but i just happened to me on my 1997 4 Runner with 270000miles on it , luckily i caught it right away and it was the Crankshaft sensor which i had to change and eversince no more problems.
  • boats3boats3 Member Posts: 42
    Water pump possibly?
  • cdelappecdelappe Member Posts: 6
    you need to check the cranking voltage on the battery. it should be 14.5 a least. If it is not then you should really get a new battery. Also you might want to check the ignition relay. LOL
  • cdelappecdelappe Member Posts: 6
    Check that the dust cover isn't slightly bent around the rotor. Easist fix but also the easiest to over look.
  • cdelappecdelappe Member Posts: 6
    Water pump. As you are driving any leak is going to seem like it is coming from further back then it really is. Even after you stop to check it out. Your best bet is to pull into one of those do it yourself carwashes and spray the undercarriage off move it out and then warm up to operating temp and then look to see where it is leaking from. Or if you have your own pressure washer that would work too. Good luck
  • cdelappecdelappe Member Posts: 6
    My 90 4runner does the same thing. Sometimes I even have to give it a helping hand to go up all the way. I believe it is the molding around the window is warped. I've greased the molding as to help it go up easier and it was a quick fix but only for a limited amount of time. I just keep greasing it about every other week. Seems to work. But if i had the money I would see how much it would cost to replace the molding. good luck.
  • rooter2rooter2 Member Posts: 1
    My 4 runner started acting up this past weekend. At first the noise almost sounded like someone taking a deep breath...like a leak of some sort. I pulled over, checked everything out, thought maybe a hose had come lose or something, but found nothing. Also all my gauges are correct....so, the day goes on, the noise comes & goes, but then later in the day, it became almost steady, and more of a "screeching" noise, like a bearing or something. I'm trying to figure out what it is, but haven't yet, and I'm sure hoping it's not a bearing in the engine. I'm going to pick up some slick 50 today on the way home from work and hope that it solves the problem...any suggestions?
  • julietjjulietj Member Posts: 15
    The LCD radio display backlight went out in my 2003 4Runner, but only on the right half. Can't find anything about it online or in the manual. Anyone have an idea of where the light source is or how to fix it? It's the factory radio, CD, cassette player, #58627.
  • tbhajsmithtbhajsmith Member Posts: 1
    My parents bought me the 4runner as an early x-mas present. Well of course like with everything that you get from a dealership we drove it less then 100 miles and the check engine light came on and we checked all the fluids the oil was a little low so we added oil. The light stayed on. Heard from family that some shops do free diagnoses well they do if the car is domestic or it has to be 96 or newer. Mine is a 94 so couldn't work with them but they told me that there is a way to self check it. Have no idea what they are talking about since my car didn't come with an owners manual. Does anybody know how to diagnose the car without just hitting the reset button i need to make sure there is nothing else wrong with it.
  • perplexed9perplexed9 Member Posts: 1
    Do you have an alarm system? I had an older Camry that had a shut down problem. Turns out it was a faulty alarm sys. and the kill switch was activating. I had the alarm system taken out of the car and that solved it. Hope this helps - it was a convenient, easy fix.
  • little2scootlittle2scoot Member Posts: 1
    Some auto parts stores can read the codes & tell you what they were. Some manuals have the codes translated into causes, while identifying the method of retrieval, usually with a paper clip jumper and counting the flashes of a dash light.
  • yotadado9yotadado9 Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2010
    I know this is a dumb question, but how do i reset the maintinece light on my 04 SE4wd v8. i just changed the oil last week and this light is driving me crazy :confuse:
  • newdavidqnewdavidq Member Posts: 146
    Yesterday the tire pressure icon on my 07 4r lit up. I checked pressure on all four tires and they were within a pound or two of each other and the spare (never on ground) seemed fully inflated. Only factor I can think of is a recent cold snap (hi teens). Thanks for any suggestions.

    Regards, DQ
  • boats3boats3 Member Posts: 42
    Usually you have to be on the mileage portion and hold the mileage result down as you turn your car on. Double check your owners manual but that should be the fix.
  • boats3boats3 Member Posts: 42
    The tire pressure has to be within a pound of the recommended mfg pressure for all 5 tires. Monitor it because you may have picked up a nail or something.
  • chuck1919chuck1919 Member Posts: 176
    It's not uncommon for the indicators to come on when the temperature drops. Also, the spare could be low. Unfortunately, the only way to add air is to drop the spare. Bad design.

    Personally, I would add a couple of pounds to all four tires, and see what happens. If you still get a light (and you have no nails, etc.) it's the spare.

    Good luck!
  • allen42allen42 Member Posts: 12
    Have checked toyota service manual about changing belt on unit, and I can't find a mileage or time line to change belt. Some mechanics say 90000k or soomer! Also was told to change water pump and thermostat on at same time to prevent problems later. Would appreciate some timely info. on my unit. Thanks.
  • newdavidqnewdavidq Member Posts: 146
    It was the spare. Had about 25 lbs. in it. The upside is I got to experience the tire changing procedure (without changing a tire). Inserting the jack rod into the tire lowering mechanism was a little tricky but better to learn in my driveway rather than alongside the freeway. The Toyota lug wrench looks pretty weak; I'm going to throw in a criss-cross wrench just in case. Thanks to all for the advice.

    Regards, DQ
  • tangmantangman Member Posts: 127
    For my 4-runner, we changed the timing belt about ever 100,000 miles. We did not change the water pump or thermostat. Sold it at 210,000 miles and it was still ok. Many mechanics do recommend the change. I am sure you reduce your risk by changing the water pump as well. But, many owner don't and seem to be ok. This is a risk call for each owner.
  • tangmantangman Member Posts: 127
    Usually the light goes on in fall when the weather gets much colder, thus the tire pressure is reduced. Everytime it happen to me, it always ended up being the spare. While it may feel like it is full, it usually is below the desired pressure. So, I would check you tire pressure all the way around including the spare in fall when the weather gets colder. I agree, much better doing it in you drive way then on the road.
  • pixelpusher67pixelpusher67 Member Posts: 1
    I have a rear cylinder leak. Any chance after replacing the rear axle, axle seals, bearings, brakes, drums,etc. from an earlier service that the cylinders would have been replaced or overlooked? I went through this after a diferential leak.
  • boats3boats3 Member Posts: 42
    There is always a chance that the mechanic missed it, however, it is unlikely. That is a normal item that a mechanic would check for. Either there was no fluid in the system during the initital inspection or the cyclinders did not leak.
  • drex1drex1 Member Posts: 41
    I found the problem by doing research on line and replaced the MAF. Cost was parts only--pretty easy to do yourself.
  • drex1drex1 Member Posts: 41
    Read your owner's manual (under the section that talks about the dashboard lights). The procedure is pretty clear and easy.
  • jess1228jess1228 Member Posts: 1
    Had the same issue recently. Have 49K on my 06 4Runner. Brought it to the dealership and they found that the powersteering rack was blown, the axels were leaking grease and the u-joints were blown.
  • steprocksteprock Member Posts: 1
    Hey folks! I really hope someone has a tip for me on my 94 Toyota 4Runner. V6, Manual 4WD.

    It's below freezing in Denver and my 4Runner is often a slow starter in the cold, but the other day it wouldn't start at all when it was super cold. The next day was a "little" warmer and it got going, but I started hearing odd plunking and plinking noises in the engine. Thought it might be ice knocking about, but it got worse. (Not like a hard knocking of a rod or anything.)

    It was about 17 miles and by the time I got the office, I was sure something was wrong. When I pulled in, the engine died and it just chug-chugged when I tried to restart it. The smoke and smell of burning rubber that started just then told me to give it a rest. (I think on the front driver side of the engine.)

    Any thoughts? My theory is that my water pump froze and with a stuck pulley the belt is just burning and smoking.

    What do you guys think? I'm not much of a motor guy, but I've monkied around with engines from time to time.

    Thanks so much in advance!
  • 08morrison08morrison Member Posts: 1
    I'm dealing with a similar issue. 2003 4-Runner. Check Engine, Trac Off and VSC lights came on while I'd driving down the interstate. I get the vehicle into the local Toyota dealer who charge me $300.00 and to replace the MAF Sensor. Less than 24 hours later these lights come on again! Dealer wants an additional $ 378.00 Air Flow Sensor.
    I'm totally frustrated!!!!
Sign In or Register to comment.