# 99 4-Runner **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** toyota\ **Created:** [April 12, 2009, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-4-runner/29037 "2009-04-12T17:41:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![stizwv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@stizwv](https://community.cartalk.com/u/stizwv)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-4-runner/29037/1 "2009-04-12T17:41:54Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 5:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-4-runner/29037/2 "2009-04-12T17:58:42Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![stizwv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@stizwv](https://community.cartalk.com/u/stizwv)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-4-runner/29037/3 "2009-04-12T18:03:59Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 6:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-4-runner/29037/4 "2009-04-12T18:06:14Z")
Well, a little preventive maintenance goes a long way. ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 6:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-4-runner/29037/5 "2009-04-12T18:13:46Z")
And now, that preventative maintenance may (if you’re lucky) become curative; but, no guaranty. ---
**Author:** ![stizwv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@stizwv](https://community.cartalk.com/u/stizwv)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-4-runner/29037/6 "2009-04-12T18:15:17Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![stizwv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@stizwv](https://community.cartalk.com/u/stizwv)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 12:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-4-runner/29037/7 "2009-04-18T00:19:32Z")
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… ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 1:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-4-runner/29037/8 "2009-04-18T01:19:56Z")
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.