From: mcdonaldjc@verizon.net   
      
   There are no codes logged or pending.  As an intermittent, it has been very   
   difficult to diagnose, but my brother on holiday visit is convinced it is a   
   crankshaft position sensor.  He tells me it is a perfect symptom match on   
   the interruption of ignition, and very easily can explain trouble starting.   
   We (ok he) is not exactly sure of the high-pitch bearing noise, and   
   unfortunately that has not exhibited itself this week.  I'll run a tank of   
   gas through after replacement and report back if anyone is interested.   
      
   Jere   
      
   "JMc"  wrote in message   
   news:hh3m07$7cl$1@news.eternal-september.org...   
   > My 1997 4Runner with 203,000 miles has begun exhibiting a strange problem   
   > that seems to be electrical.  While driving the engine stumbles, the brake   
   > light on the dash comes on, then in most cases the engine catches again,   
   > the brake light goes out and I drive on.  So far it has never actually   
   > stalled the engine entirely, but I've lost power to a dangerous extent.   
   > Often this happens two, three, as many as six times in succession before   
   > it seems to clear.  I've noticed a high-pitched small motor bearing noise   
   > from under the hood at about the same time, as though a bearing in perhaps   
   > an alternator or other similar sized unit is wearing out.  Ok, I   
   > understand it is an old enough truck that any of these things could be   
   > normal wear and tear, but it is Christmas, and a long weekend till I might   
   > get a chance to have diag codes read.  I'm not even sure anything will   
   > have registered.  I am most puzzled by the clear connection between the   
   > brake light and the apparent electrical problem.   
   >   
   > Any ideas I might look at tomorrow, any hope that the brake light   
   > indicator is just an indicator that some code is being logged?   
   >   
   > Thanks,   
   > Jere   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)