1997 v6 4wd misfire cylinder 3

After driving back form school the other day...noticed a significant loss in power followed by the check engine light....code read "misfire cyilinder 3". after replacing the wires and plugs...it still will not start....i have re checked all the wires and checked the timing belt which is dead on...also...i can get it to start but it only stays runnig if i hold the gas down but as soon as i let off it dies...

Any ideas...im fresh out....

i also replaced cylinder 3 coil.....

Also just to make sure the cylinders are number 1 3 5 on the left front to back and 2 4 6 on the right front to back correct?

ANd that the wire on cyclinder 1 goes to 4
3 to 6
and 5 to 2

on the wire leads coming off the coil correct?


i would grealty appreciate the help...In college and trying to get it fixed on my on....

Check the 2003 Tacoma manual at the top of this forum for wiring, firing order, and cylinder number.

I will try that

Also what is/are the Plugged injector?

A fuel injector that is plugged by deposits. It can usually be cleaned and made operational.

A fuel injector that is plugged by deposits. It can usually be cleaned and made operational.


Is the fuel injector something that would just all of a sudden become clogged?

Thanks for all the help...it is greatly appreciated

Yes, at some time, it can no longer give the cylinder adequate gas.

One bad injector is not gonna make it stop running. An engine can run and be drivable without one of its cylinders. It will run rough but be drivable, so i dont think it is an injector problem. I know u replaced your plugs and that #3 coil but that doesnt mean that your coil is getting power, And since on these engines 1 coil fires two cylinders, this is more likely your problem. 2 bad cylinders could cause an engine to die. So i would check power to the connector of that coil and make sure that it is firing. If you dont see spark then check harness for damage. hope this helps.

Well got off work again today came home and re connected everything after cleaning the intake.

I disconnected the battery to let the computer reset...

Tried to crank and still the same thing. It will turn over but wont start without holding down the gas to make it idle around 1500 rpms.. let the gas off it dies....

Went to eat and came back and tried it again just for the heck of it and it stayed running on its own..WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON???? I was shocked so i tired my luck driving around the block...didnt die... took it out on the highway...ran fine....

I came back home, turned it off and cranked it up again several times...
WOrked fine, then i heard a clicking form the glove compartment ( like a relay clicking on and off slowly)...also i heard a whinning noise coming form the rear...when it did this the rpms would bob between 400 and 600....

could this be a bad fuel pump or bad gas????

tried cranking it several other times didnt start once then next time started up just fine.

Still puzzled but glad to get it running again...atleast for a lil while.

THanks again for all the help!