Hi, I have a 99 4-Runner, 4WD SR5 … has
about 160,000 miles.
Recently in the morning, or after the car
has been sitting for a long time…
When I start to drive off the engine will
stall out/pause as if it’s not getting any
gas … after the car warms up … a minute
or two later, it runs fine… I could just
let it warm up properly before I drive off
but I feel like something is about to
break completely.
I did put it in neutral and revved the
engine to see if the same thing would
happen (it did) to make sure it was
engine related rather than a transmission
problem…
Any thoughts? Thanks very much!
Shaun
It could be as simple as a faulty coolant temperature sender. How old are the spark plugs and wires, and when was the last time the fuel filter was changed?
LOL. The answer is old, old and awhile. 
I bought the car about 2 years ago
and haven’t done anything except to have the oil changed periodically.
Well, a little preventive maintenance goes a long way.
And now, that preventative maintenance may (if you’re lucky) become curative; but, no guaranty.
Fair enough! So if I take it to get it serviced you’d suggest having the fuel filter changed, new plugs? and check the coolant temperature sender?
So if there is a problem with the coolant temperature sensor does this mean that my car is in danger of overheating? The temperature gauge seems to read normal…Can I drive it like this for a bit? I’m taking it in on Monday…I’m just not sure if I’m at risk for heating up and seizing my engine or something catastrophic…
The coolant sensor Mcparadise mentioned isn’t the same one used for the dash gauge. It is used by the ECU to measure the coolant temperatures. There is a thermostat also that controls the temperature of the coolant. Unless the dash gauge indicates the engine is hot there isn’t a problem.