Howdy, I have a '94 4runner, automatic, with a 3.0. The other day I was headed to work on the interstate and I get this loud knocking type noises, so I whip it over on the shoulder, and the engine dies as I'm slowing down. It won't start, but after its towed back to the house I put a new battery on it and it starts and runs. However, the knocking noise is still there, speeds up with throttle increase. I was thinking I had a loose rod, bad bearings or something along those lines. My Dad said it might be the torque converter, is this possible? Suggestions and thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Oh yeah, he thought it might be the torque converter because it has a lot of extra vibration, with the hood down I can see it shaking. Thanks again.

 

The automatics were not prone to failure due ot the lack of power being applied to it. I would bet you have an internal engine failure.

 

If it's a timed "knock" that increases with engine RPM, it is obviously a mechanical failure of rotational nature. How many miles are on it?

 

124,000 miles on it. I am confused with the vibration though. I'm just trying to get some ideas before I tow it to my parents house to work on it, no room where I live. It doesn't sound like it's missing, and I haven't seen one shake that much with a loose rod... Thanks again for replies.

 

124,000 on a 94, wow! You shouldn't have any problems...but it sounds like rod knock you probably spun the bearing on at least one rod maybe 2 if its vibrating that bad...sounds like my dads 4 runner 3.0 when he had 2 knocking rods.

 

I broke the number 1 con rod. The truck the shake and viberation was clear to see at idle in park it was just shaking on the shocks. All the tranny troubles I had with these things seem go away when they are in park. So I agree with Silver on the internal eng woes.

 

Thanks guys, yeah the 4runner is in awesome shape. Hasn't given me any problems until now. Thanks again for the help.