Toyota 4Runner: What’s Causing That Rotten Egg Smell?

One of the most undervalued diagnostic tools is the human nose.  There’s a lot our nose can tell us about a vehicle with a few quick sniffs.  If you happen to smell a rotten egg smell coming from your Toyota 4Runner, it is certainly a cause for concern.  It is most commonly associated with a … Read more

Toyota 4Runner Dies After Starting Diagnosis

It can be very disconcerting if your Toyota 4Runner is starting and then dies.  It is most likely caused by some type of issue with the electrical or fuel system.  But, there can be other causes as well. Your 4Runner’s engine needs 3 things constantly and in the proper proportion to keep running. Air Fuel … Read more

Toyota 4Runner: Brake Lights Stuck On → Diagnosis

It is both frustrating and unsafe to drive your Toyota 4Runner if the brake lights are stuck on.  The most common reason that they stay on is a brake light switch that has failed.   How Brake Lights Work Brake lights work by having an electric current sent to the brake pedal switch at all … Read more

Toyota 4Runner: Shaking When Accelerating → Diagnosis

One of the more common issues that can occur is a vehicle that shakes when accelerating.  If your Toyota 4Runner is shaking when accelerating, it’s something that should not be ignored.  While the vibration can be annoying, it is often indicative of a serious problem.   Speed Matters Vehicle speed matters when you feel a … Read more

Toyota 4Runner:  Lifter Ticking Diagnosis

One of the most annoying things that you can coming from under the hood of your Toyota 4Runner is a ticking lifter.  The ticking noise makes it sound like the engine is going to give up the ghost at any time.  There are a few things that can cause a lifter to tick, such as … Read more

Toyota 4Runner:  VSC Light Meaning + Diagnosis

The VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system is a traction/stability control system designed by Toyota and is used on all of their modern cars and trucks, including the 4Runner.  Like any other electronics system in a vehicle, it can malfunction.  We’ll go over how the VSC system works and what can cause it to malfunction below. … Read more

Toyota 4Runner: P0171 and P0174 Diagnosis

P0171 and P0174 both indicate that there is a lean condition present in your Toyota 4Runner.  By themselves, these are some of the most common OBD2 codes.   When they appear together, it indicates that the entire engine is running lean. Definition Both of these codes are generic, which means they have the same meaning … Read more

Toyota 4Runner:  Clutch Slipping → Diagnosis

Your Toyota 4Runner’s clutch provides a direct connection between the engine and transmission.  Without it, it can’t move at all. This connection requires a tremendous amount of pressure.  This guide is intended to help you determine why your clutch is slipping on the flywheel. Note:  This article is for manual cars only.  Here’s the automatic … Read more

Toyota 4Runner:  Engine Sputtering (Causes + Diagnosis)

A sputtering engine can indicate a number of problems.  If your Toyota 4Runner has a sputter, it is most likely going to be caused by bad fuel system, ignition system, MAF sensor, or bad catalytic converter.  Your 4Runner’s engine is a giant pump.  It pulls in air (where it is measured by the mass airflow … Read more