Need help with my truck

I'm not much of a mechanic. I need some help. I own a 1995 Toyota Tacoma 2WD, 4 cyl, 5 speed manual transmission, appx 150K miles. I hope that is enough info. about the vehicle.

For the last month or so I've had to turn the key just right to get the starter to start cranking. Once it went the truck started up just fine. The other day I got in and turned the key but the truck won't start. It will crank, but it just won't turn over that last little bit. I checked my battery. It had some corrosion at the end of the battery cables and ports. I cleaned that up and took it into auto parts store and had it tested. The battery tested fine. Different people have told me that it's either a lack of spark, or a fuel problem at this point. Does that sound right? If so, does anyone know how I go about testing the other theories? I'd like to do as much myself as possible ($$). Any help would be greatly appreciated. Since the engine cranks but doesn't start that kind of rules out the battery and the starter. The funky feeling in the key is an issue and could be the lock itself or the ignition switch that is usually further down the column. If you need that, consider letting that job out as you have an air bad to contend with and we don't want any problems with that.

You can test for spark with just a screwdriver in a plug wire and hold metal of screwdriver close to engine metal and watch it make a spark. Best done with dry heavy gloves, rubber soled shoes and don't touch the car while a helper cranks the engine. You can also get an in-line spark tester which is useful to have and safer to use.

To test for lack of fuel you can spray starting fluid in the air intake close as possible to the intake which may require taking off air cleaner parts to get to. With some spray in there it may stumble, backfire, or run for a few seconds, or even stay running. If it quits it suggests a fuel problem and go from there. If no response it would suggest a spark problem or delivery thereof.

The vehicle also uses a timing belt that requires periodic replacement. If it's been over 60K put that on the list of things to do. When they fail they usually are not intermittent but engine wouldn't run and can damage the engine badly so they are real important.

Check out those things to lead to the right problem area and we go from there,

T
_________________________________________


Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston
http://acsource.net/acforum/index.php









I went down the fuel route. I replaced the fuel filter and the fuel pump. When we tested the fuel pump to see if any gas would pump out there was no response. It seems like the fuel pump is not getting power. Does that sound somewhat right? We checked all fuses that the Haynes manual said to check (EFI, ignition, etc.) and they all look OK. Does further troubleshooting of the power sound smart, or what might you recommend at this point? Thanks in advance. If the fuel pump gets no power that is the first issue. There should be a fuse and a breaker/relay for it and a system to shut it off like in the case of an accident you wouldn't want it to keep pouring out fuel. I don't really know how that is done in the truck. It could be a computer decision if it senses the vehicle is not running and sorry I just don't know how that one is done. They all have some means to shut it down.