I started having a problem with my 1998 4-runner, about a week ago when i would go to accelerate, and my car would start to jerk or miss. My check engine lite came on a fews time after it would do that. My friend took it to get the engine lite read, and it said a misfire in the #5 cylinder. My friend replaced the 3 wires and i think spark plugs. My car continued to do the same, and he took it back to get read, and it said the same error. He said it might be the coil packs, but he did not want me to buy one, unless he was for sure. He said for me to get a mechanic to check it out with their computer, but they can cost a lot. Does anyone know what the problem probably is? I have about 116k miles on it as well.

Tracy Garcia

Check your plugs. Also, if you are suspecting a coil pack, just switch the 3rd coil with the 1st and see if the engine code changes. if the misfire happens at cyl. 1 and/or 2, you've got a bad coil. Also, how's your coolant level? there may also be a headgasket problem. but before you go there, swap the coil packs

Another thing to check is your Distributor rotor-arm. They're cheap to replace and after 116k miles, it would be worn.

I had the same type of problem and it was the plugs. I say start small and work your way up.