# 4Runner engine trouble **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [September 6, 2007, 2:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4runner-engine-trouble/4215 "2007-09-06T02:34:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Smitty1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Smitty1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Smitty1)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 2:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4runner-engine-trouble/4215/1 "2007-09-06T02:34:12Z")
I own an '89 4Runner. It has a problem of dying all of the sudden. The problem baffles me because it’s like a “ghost” car and it only dies a handful of times. The battery connections are new, and I gave it a recent tune-up, so it starts just fine. I drive it a few miles and then I come to a stop. Everything is still fine. However, when I start applying the gas to get moving again, the engine cuts out entirely and it takes several tries to get it started again. Oh yeah, a mechanic also checked up with a computer of the power between the battery and the alternator and nothing was wrong. If anyone has any ideas or anything, that would be great. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 2:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4runner-engine-trouble/4215/2 "2007-09-06T02:39:34Z")
My first suspect would be a failing fuel pump. ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 3:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4runner-engine-trouble/4215/3 "2007-09-06T03:12:40Z")
First, change the fuel filter. Then, check the fuel pressure. Then, pull a spark plug wire and check for nice, strong, sparks during cranking.