car died as i pulled into my apartment driveway...

[JS80]

info:
car - 1997 toyota 4runner SR5 V6 177k miles.
me - car noob. i know nothing. i don't even know what mechanic to go to.

ok so basically the engine cut off but the electrical was still on.

the car started this morning.

my coworkers say it's the alternator.

Thoughts?

edit:
I haven't had any other problems with this car. Automatic V6.
No new noises, smells, etc.
I get oil change every 5k miles.
At 130k my dad took it to a mechanic to do a full service.
At 160k I took it to the Toyota dealer and did one of those 150k mile service thingies.
No history of problems.

It did not sputter. I was on cruise control on Sepulveda Blvd (long stretch) for about 2 miles going 49MPH and I was taking a left and as the car pulled in to the parking lot I felt the steering wheel tighten and notice the engine cut off...and I rolled into my spot. Total miles driven from where I was to home was ~4 miles.

When I started the engine this morning it started "normally," no weird noises or extra starting noise. I got to work fine (5 miles) with nothing noticeable from my car.

 

[d33pt]

1997 toyota with 177k miles?!?!?! that thing is barely even broken in!!! you better not give up on it. I bet it's a $20 fix.

 

[eits]

well, i, for one, am glad to hear a story about a car dying rather than yet another person dying by getting hit by a car.

 

[Sluggo]

One problem and you give it the death sentence?

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: Sluggo
One problem and you give it the death sentence?

hmmm...perhaps i'm overreacting...

yea, i'll take it to the shop

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

GIve us more info! Maybe we can help ya solve it.

 

[cavemanmoron]

run out of gas??

 

[Aimster]

sounds like a minor problem

 

[jagec]

Did someone throw a brick at it?

 

[illusion88]

Originally posted by: jagec
Did someone throw a brick at it?

I bet he ate at red lobster

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

At least it broke down when you got home.

 

[pkme2]

Very interesting.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: giantpinkbunnyhead
GIve us more info! Maybe we can help ya solve it.

ok so basically the engine cut off but the electrical was still on.

the car started this morning.

my coworkers say it's the alternator.

Thoughts?

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: giantpinkbunnyhead
GIve us more info! Maybe we can help ya solve it.

ok so basically the engine cut off but the electrical was still on.

the car started this morning.

my coworkers say it's the alternator.

Thoughts?

your coworkers are wrong

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: giantpinkbunnyhead
GIve us more info! Maybe we can help ya solve it.

ok so basically the engine cut off but the electrical was still on.

the car started this morning.

my coworkers say it's the alternator.

Thoughts?

your coworkers are wrong

An alternator will not cause the car to shutoff. Especially if it started later. The alternator simply charges the battery. If the alternator is dead then when it cut off there would be no way to start it back up besides jumping it off.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: Codewiz

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: giantpinkbunnyhead
GIve us more info! Maybe we can help ya solve it.

ok so basically the engine cut off but the electrical was still on.

the car started this morning.

my coworkers say it's the alternator.

Thoughts?

your coworkers are wrong

An alternator will not cause the car to shutoff. Especially if it started later. The alternator simply charges the battery. If the alternator is dead then when it cut off there would be no way to start it back up besides jumping it off.

Don't go explaining it for him, car repair is meant to be cryptic.

 

[silverpig]

I've had that happen a few times with my POS '91 Tempo. I just ignore it. It only happens once every 2-3 months and usually just after I start it and put it in gear. My guess is my car is just not warmed up enough as it never happens if the engine is warm.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: JS80
info:
car - 1997 toyota 4runner 177k miles.
me - car noob. i know nothing. i don't even know what mechanic to go to.

ok so basically the engine cut off but the electrical was still on.

the car started this morning.

my coworkers say it's the alternator.

Thoughts?

I can get anything from that, someone else might be able to.

Have you been having any other problems with the car lately? New noises, smells, driveability concerns? When was the last maintenance? What has been fixed in the lifetime of the car, what problems has it had?

When it did did it just sputter as you pulled into a space, was it on acceleration or decceleration? In gear or out? Auto or standard?

When you started it this morning did it take longer than normal or just start up fine? Last night when it died had you been driving on the highway, making several short trips?



* IANAM

 

[Heisenberg]

As said above, the alternator charges the battery and powers the electrical system of the car while the engine is running. If it were bad and the battery drained to where the car stalled, it wouldn't start and run again later. Any other signs/symptoms or is this an isolated incident?

 

[JEDIYoda]

have you chckd to se if its the memory...it also cound be the PSU....

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: JS80
info:
car - 1997 toyota 4runner 177k miles.
me - car noob. i know nothing. i don't even know what mechanic to go to.

ok so basically the engine cut off but the electrical was still on.

the car started this morning.

my coworkers say it's the alternator.

Thoughts?

I can get anything from that, someone else might be able to.

Have you been having any other problems with the car lately? New noises, smells, driveability concerns? When was the last maintenance? What has been fixed in the lifetime of the car, what problems has it had?

When it did did it just sputter as you pulled into a space, was it on acceleration or decceleration? In gear or out? Auto or standard?

When you started it this morning did it take longer than normal or just start up fine? Last night when it died had you been driving on the highway, making several short trips?



* IANAM

I haven't had any other problems with this car. Automatic V6.
No new noises, smells, etc.
I get oil change every 5k miles.
At 130k my dad took it to a mechanic to do a full service.
At 160k I took it to the Toyota dealer and did one of those 150k mile service thingies.
No history of problems.

It did not sputter. I was on cruise control on Sepulveda Blvd (long stretch) for about 2 miles going 49MPH and I was taking a left and as the car pulled in to the parking lot I felt the steering wheel tighten and notice the engine cut off...and I rolled into my spot. Total miles driven from where I was to home was ~4 miles.

When I started the engine this morning it started "normally," no weird noises or extra starting noise. I got to work fine (5 miles) with nothing noticeable from my car.

Thanks.

 

[mordantmonkey]

Yep, if the alternator fails, then your elctrical starts running off the battery, and when it runs out of juice, engine dies(no spark), and so would all other electrical. It definately wouldn't start again later.
from what you say it could be a lot of things. need more info.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: JS80
info:
car - 1997 toyota 4runner 177k miles.
me - car noob. i know nothing. i don't even know what mechanic to go to.

ok so basically the engine cut off but the electrical was still on.

the car started this morning.

my coworkers say it's the alternator.

Thoughts?

I can get anything from that, someone else might be able to.

Have you been having any other problems with the car lately? New noises, smells, driveability concerns? When was the last maintenance? What has been fixed in the lifetime of the car, what problems has it had?

When it did did it just sputter as you pulled into a space, was it on acceleration or decceleration? In gear or out? Auto or standard?

When you started it this morning did it take longer than normal or just start up fine? Last night when it died had you been driving on the highway, making several short trips?



* IANAM

I haven't had any other problems with this car. Automatic V6.
No new noises, smells, etc.
I get oil change every 5k miles.
At 130k my dad took it to a mechanic to do a full service.
At 160k I took it to the Toyota dealer and did one of those 150k mile service thingies.
No history of problems.

It did not sputter. I was on cruise control on Sepulveda Blvd (long stretch) for about 2 miles going 49MPH and I was taking a left and as the car pulled in to the parking lot I felt the steering wheel tighten and notice the engine cut off...and I rolled into my spot. Total miles driven from where I was to home was ~4 miles.

When I started the engine this morning it started "normally," no weird noises or extra starting noise. I got to work fine (5 miles) with nothing noticeable from my car.

Thanks.

Ok, I'm clueless. Personally I would ignore and just keep an eye on the car / listen for anything else out of place. Otherwise check your fluids all around.

Did you by any chance try to start it again last night after it died? If I keep asking questions someone who knows a lot more than I do may come in here and give you something usefull.

 

[RU482]

fuel filter or fuel pump?
just throwing that out there

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: JS80
info:
car - 1997 toyota 4runner 177k miles.
me - car noob. i know nothing. i don't even know what mechanic to go to.

ok so basically the engine cut off but the electrical was still on.

the car started this morning.

my coworkers say it's the alternator.

Thoughts?

I can get anything from that, someone else might be able to.

Have you been having any other problems with the car lately? New noises, smells, driveability concerns? When was the last maintenance? What has been fixed in the lifetime of the car, what problems has it had?

When it did did it just sputter as you pulled into a space, was it on acceleration or decceleration? In gear or out? Auto or standard?

When you started it this morning did it take longer than normal or just start up fine? Last night when it died had you been driving on the highway, making several short trips?



* IANAM

I haven't had any other problems with this car. Automatic V6.
No new noises, smells, etc.
I get oil change every 5k miles.
At 130k my dad took it to a mechanic to do a full service.
At 160k I took it to the Toyota dealer and did one of those 150k mile service thingies.
No history of problems.

It did not sputter. I was on cruise control on Sepulveda Blvd (long stretch) for about 2 miles going 49MPH and I was taking a left and as the car pulled in to the parking lot I felt the steering wheel tighten and notice the engine cut off...and I rolled into my spot. Total miles driven from where I was to home was ~4 miles.

When I started the engine this morning it started "normally," no weird noises or extra starting noise. I got to work fine (5 miles) with nothing noticeable from my car.

Thanks.

Ok, I'm clueless. Personally I would ignore and just keep an eye on the car / listen for anything else out of place. Otherwise check your fluids all around.

Did you by any chance try to start it again last night after it died? If I keep asking questions someone who knows a lot more than I do may come in here and give you something usefull.

nope lol i didn't really want to get disappointed and go to sleep knowing i'll have to take the bus in the morning haha.