O2 sensor/alternator problem??

[czr]

1999, V6, auto, 84k miles - I'd usually go to a mechanic but I've been getting screwed lately. Not much of a poster bec this car has been solid. But a routine brake pad swap turned out to be a master cylinder replacement then a starter rebuild turned out to be a 2.5 hour job instead of a 1 hour job, so any help would be appreciated for this. No problems until recently and am running out of funds:

The starter was rebuilt a couple weeks ago but now the car starts and idles at low rpms. And about 3 times already the car's ildle just lowers and dies. I start her up rev it a little bit and and she's a little ok but the idle is so low. Also, the light gauges get a little brighter when I step on the gas so I'm thinking it's just running on the battery's juice so faulty alternator? (Battery tests good) But I know from a scan over a year ago, that I also need the rear O2 sensor. Several Toyota mechanics have said that besides a little pollution and little bad gas mileage, nothing else should happen if I didn't replace the oxygen sensor. Bus it at a point where it is really screwing the gas mix? The car also feels a little sluggish when I floor it. Should I get the fuel filter replaced as well? I'm out $800 on repairs the last month and the gas prices are not helping, please help. TIA! C

[SC V6]

could also be a vaccum leak.. check vaccum lines under the hood.. taht would cause the engine to die..

[Turbosolara]

I hope your mechanic didn't put copper spark plug in your engine. sounds like vacum leak somewhere or idel valve problem.

the second O2 sensor is not a big problem but you will fail smoke check (if you had one in your state)

It is not normal for alternator keep going out, you should investigate for broken wires or bad grounding.

keep in mind that mechanics are blood suckers, try to investgate problems first before you send it out.

[Fletch]

Several months back, I had some of the same symptoms. Sometimes, the car kept wanting to die at idle and I'd have to start it again every 30 seconds. I had a CEL for TPS, so that was replaced, but also replaced the rear bank upstream O2 sensor (it wasn't throwing a code, but was bad). The car has been tip top ever since.

[czr]

Thanks for the replies. They are platinum plugs and I will check for leaks. Anybody know what the shop time is for installing a rear o2 sensor? And should I just go straight to toyota or have my local mechanic have the privilege? Any other maintenance I should get done? Thanks

[Fletch]

Dealership will charge you as much as they can, so be careful. Rear O2 is slightly hard to get at, but a competent mechanic could get it done in 1/2 hour. I would wait on the fuel filter if you are strapped. I had the original until 115k.

[Turbosolara]

I rather believe it is the throttle position sensor malfucntion. really the 2nd one doesnt do much thing, i bypassed it and my car still runs like new. anyway, the 2nd O2 sensor installation should be like 10min.....you just have to wait for the exhaust to cool down.