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Toyota Tacoma Will Not Stay Running: Idle Problems Fix

Toyota Tacoma Will Not Stay Running: Idle Problems Fix

A stalling vehicle is a great way to ruin your entire day. What’s worse, it’s one of the most common problems Toyota Tacoma owners will face. Add that to the fact that there are ten potential causes behind the stalling issue, and you have a recipe for disaster. What could potentially be causing the stall issue?

There are eleven main reasons your Toyota Tacoma is stalling, and it almost always concerns the fuel, air intake, or ignition system. It could be something as simple as bad gas, or a more severe issue like a bad MAF/MAP sensor. The best way to tell what’s wrong is to check the vehicle trouble codes or have it checked by a mechanic.

Is your Toyota Tacoma starting to stall? Then you need to first know what’s wrong with it. Then, you can move on to fixing the issue and making your truck drive-able. This article teaches you the top leading causes of a Toyota Tacoma stalling.

Why is My Tacoma Stalling? 11 Possible Reasons

There isn’t a one size fits all answer for why your Toyota Tacoma is stalling. It can be due to several fuel, air intake, or ignition systems issues.

Here’s a video showing some of the most common issues with a Tacoma, with more info below:

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Bad Gas/Water in Tank

The first thing to consider is whether the gas has gone bad or water has entered the gas tank. This situation can cause other symptoms, such as difficulty starting, pinging sounds, and overall reduced fuel economy. If you notice a sudden onset of stalling, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with bad gas.

Incorrect Air and Fuel Mixture

Sometimes, there can be an incorrect mix of air and fuel, which is essential in order for your Toyota Tacoma to run correctly. Typically, this issue comes with other signs like odd odors, poor fuel economy, and emission test failure.

Bad Fuel Injectors

The fuel injector is one of the essential components of your Toyota Tacoma. Essentially, the fuel injector injects fuel into the engine, allowing your car to run.

If it’s gone bad or has become damaged, it may not allow enough fuel to reach the combustion chamber, causing a stall. It may also be sending too much, which is another cause for concern. You may also notice lousy fuel economy, check engine light, and misfiring.

Not Enough Fuel

Your Toyota Tacoma (and other cars/trucks) require fuel to operate. If there isn’t enough fuel, you won’t be able to take off. This issue is mainly caused by a problem with the fuel pump or filter. Most commonly, it’s a problem with the fuel pump overheating entirely.

Issue with the VVT

The VVT – or variable valve timing – is a new-age way for trucks to reach peak performance and economy. It can be hard to diagnose this problem, as it doesn’t come with too many accompanying symptoms. The most significant sign of an issue with the VVT is idling or stalling.

Jumped Timing Chain

The timing chain is responsible for connecting the crankshaft to the camshaft, which opens the valves of your truck’s engine to help it run. If it’s jumped, you will run into significant issues, such as stalling.

Other prominent symptoms include a rattling sound when turning on the engine or an inability to start the truck altogether.

Bad Throttle Position Sensor

The throttle position sensor is another critical element of your Toyota Tacom’s fuel management system. It monitors the air intake when the gas pedal is pushed, ensuring excellent fuel economy and reduced stress.

A bad throttle position sensor can cause stalling, jerking, hesitation with acceleration, speed surges while driving, and a flashing check engine light.

Bad MAF/MAP Sensor

The MAF/MAP works hand in hand with the air and fuel mixture, as described above. This sensor allows the proper amount of air to enter the mix, allowing your Toyota Tacoma to run smoothly.

If there are issues with the sensor, it will stall. This problem doesn’t come with many other symptoms, although you may notice difficulty accelerating and overheating.

Bad Oxygen Sensor

Another sensor that’s essential for measuring air and fuel is the oxygen sensor. If yours is not reading correctly, it may cause your Toyota Tacoma to stall out.

Some other things to look for are: sulfur smell from the exhaust, check engine light on, a noticeable decrease in fuel efficiency, black smoke coming from the exhaust, and high emission levels.

Faulty Spark Plugs

Without adequately working spark plugs, your Toyota Tacoma will not run. That’s because the spark plugs are responsible for sparking electricity, ultimately igniting the combustion required to start the truck.

If they’re faulty, the truck will stall, or you may find that the engine is very loud or misfires altogether. There will also be a decrease in fuel economy.

Clogged Fuel Filter

The fuel filter is essential to keep the fuel clean in your Toyota Tacoma. If it’s unable to do its job correctly due to a clog, you’ll likely end up with a stalling issue.

You may also notice loud noises coming from the fuel pump. Your fuel system component may fail to work entirely, leaving you with a truck that cannot start altogether.

What To Do About a Stalling Toyota Tacoma

For those not interested in fixing their Toyota Tacoma on their own, the best solution is to have the truck checked out by a professional mechanic. They will be able to discover and remedy the issue.

Otherwise, your best option is to double-check the fuel, air intake, and ignition systems. Use a code reader to help with diagnostics.

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Toyota Tacoma Not Idling is Typically a Quick Fix

Toyota Tacomas tend to stall, but it’s typically not a costly or intrusive problem. It almost always has to do with the fuel, air intake, or ignition systems, with the most common reason being lousy gas or water in the tank.

Yet, the fuel pump and filter are also regularly responsible for idling. Have your truck checked by a professional, or use a diagnostic code reader to remedy the issue.

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