Brand new here. 96 Taco won't start

My truck was shaking. I was told to change plugs, wires, distributor cap, & rotor. I did all that, started up the engine to make sure I did it right (I'm not experienced with mechanics) and it started up, but the shaking continued. I shut it down. I went to start it up the next morning to go to work and it started, & then shut down immediately. It hasn't started since. I checked the plugs to be sure they were firing, and they are. So I was told that the next option is to check the battery (I tried to jump it but that didn't work - I had a dead cell). I bought a new one and still no success. I was told then to check fuel (filter & pump). I bought a new filter knowing it is the less expensive option but found out that it is under the manifold and I can't get to it.
Am I at least on the right path? Is the pump easier to change, even if it's more expensive? I need help!

 

air,fuel, spark, comp.

 

comp = compressor?

 

I think you are on the right track. Sounds like the engine is rotating okay while trying to start? Your battery should be fine then. And you said there is spark at the plugs. I don't know for sure on your truck, but usually if you have spark, you should have the fuel injectors being activated. Fuel pressure sounds like a logical next step to me. Ideally you would check it with a gauge while cranking the engine over. But changing the fuel filter makes sense if you have one already in your hands.

 

compression.....
just a few steps to take as u have said it cranks over and has spark so that eliminates something

 

Compression.

Internal cylinder pressure.

If your truck was "shaking" at idle, that could be a symptom of low compression, but I doubt that would turn into a "no start" situation overnight.

I was taught that you need four things to get an engine to run.

1. Compression- easy to check with a 30 dollar gauge from an autoparts store. Probably not what's making the truck not start, but good info to have if you have an engine that is running rough.

2. Fuel- Need to have sufficient fuel pressure at the injectors. Injectors also must be activated by the computer. Hard to check with out special tools.

3. Spark- Seems like you have this one covered.

4. Timing- All of this has to happen at the correct time. Not likely to be your issue unless you have a slipped timing chain or if you removed the distributor and didn't get it back in the right place.

The first thing you should do is go back over everything you've already done and be sure it's all done right. You started with a "shaking" engine, you now have an engine that will not run at all. It is possible that you got your plug wires in the wrong places and created a second problem for yourself.

 

how do you correct a compression issue? And is there a way to replace the fuel filter without removing the manifold?

 

Compression issues means a rebuild. It is either going to be rings and/or valves and valve guide. Probably more worth it to swap in a used motor.

Also, a few simple ways to check if you are getting fuel: crack the line just before the injectors (pretty difficult to do) or stick you nose in your tailpipe after cranking. If you smell gas then you are getting fuel.


edit: for checking spark (i dont know your personal level of mechanical ability, so please dont take this as an insult) make sure the spark is arcing from the center electrode to the side electrode, not from the center electrode to the rim (threads).

 

Did you check the gap on the plugs before install? I would try changing the fuel filter before I would change the pump. Did you make sure that put the wires back on the correct plugs or even change the wires? I had a grand cherokee that had a problem similar to this and I changed plugs and wires on it. Crunk it up and gave it gas and shut off and then it just turned over without catching so I changed the filter and crunk right up and was fine after that.