Can she be revived?

Ive got a 97 Tacoma, nothing special other than its mine.
I've put alot of miles on it and haven't given it the car it deserved. (Made sure it always had oil and water though.)
My boyfriend passed away last October and its been a steady downhill climb ever since.
It started with a ball joint breaking in the middle of the road ,3 blocks from the house on my way to the hospital. Had it towed & repaired. Moved out if town temporarily and bought stuff to "tune it up" and smog it. P0401 code came up, didn't pass smog. Before I could put any parts in it it overheated. So new focus was a radiator, which ended up being a water pump, gasket, special Toyota antifreeze, and a good flushing. It ran again but not as cool as it use to. But no leaks! It moved me back to where I came from and moved a friend then it died one day when I got off the highway in the middle of the road and hasn't started since. Towed it home(where I stay cuz I no longer have a home) 14 miles, which cost the same as the 3 block tow previously. Had a timing chain put in , coils, plugs , wires, gas filter replaced. and it JUST WONT START! Oh....And it's got 3336000 miles on odometer.Any ideas?
I've been stuck for 2 months . Need to be mobile , get job, get a home, and get a life . Boyfriend has been gone almost a year... Unbelievable. Any good advice will be so appreciated !
Thank you in advance
P.Dare

 

What engine is it? V6? 4 cyl?

Three main things to an engine running: compression, fuel, and spark. Have a compression test done, and have the check engine light checked as well.
Check to see if you have fuel pressure and check the routing of the spark plug wires and make sure they are hooked up to the right cylinders.

 

Dear Dare Girl,

You certainly have done some good work to try and get your Tacoma operating again. Please remember this vehicle, as you pointed out, has 333,xxx miles on it. You yourself said that it has not received that good of care for most of its life. I think with 333,xxx miles on it, you got your money's worth out of it. It is probably a good time to look for a more reliable vehicle. If you are emotionally attached to your Tacoma, save it and keep it as a side project.

Good Luck,
Paul

 

sounds like maybe the fuel pump gave out

 

I'm sorry for your loss. It's hard to lose somebody whom you loved. Things will get a little better, albeit very slowly. And they will never be as good as it was.

 

Sorry for the long response...just want to say THANK YOU to hbose of you who took the time to reply to my post. Back in August .
I had the fuel pump replaced and new vacuum hoses ,also cleaned EGR
Only starts with starting fluid.
I know some of you think I should look for a new vehicle the problem is I don’t know anywhere that they’re giving them away . I’ve been without a vehicle since may and haven’t been able to take any of the job opportunity’s that have come my way. BecauseI need a vehicle as one of the job requirements. I’m an in home care provider and have to be able to take clients shopping, doctor appts etc. so I’ve got no money to buy a new car.
And what I had saved I’ve been living on. And putting into my Tacoma.
So I’ve got to get it running. Does it sound impossible to revive?
Don’t mean to sound like a sniveler if I come off that way.

 

i really wish i could help and point you in the right direction. All I can say best of luck and keep up the good attitude trying to fix this and bettering off your situation. hope you the best in the future

 

Im just curious if you had tested the battery at all. Didnt see any mention of that. Worth a shot if you havent.

 

Sorry for your loss. If its starting with starter fluid it has to be something with the fuel system as the ignition system is working.. maybe your pump isnt connected or grounded to get it running or check the fuel pump fuse. If you can have someone look and see if theres even power going to the pump that would help out. Only thing I didnt really see was injectors. They could be clogged if your fuel pump is working. Hope this helps and Prayers out to you.

 

My sympathies for your loss. Alas I'm too far away to help you

 

Stsrting fluid is like ether for diesels. A chemical dependant. If you are getting enough crabk to start fluid there is a bloclagr some where in the fuel system. Replace any filters and clean the injectors with a small file. Or just buy new injectors.

 

You need someone who knows how to check a part not just buy them. Especially with the age of this one. Timing chains and the like should never have been messed with unless something was def. found wrong with them.
And if this many things have been faulty so far.....you've been throwing good money at bad.

 

This is 100% on.

 

When it starts with starter fluid does it continue to run or does it die?

 

Now have the codes been pulled ??

Without that your just guessing Maybe even making things worse not knowing the real issue

Sounds like something has turned off the fuel to a non running engine.

That is why it starts on starting fluid

 

Do the ignitions provide spark w/o a fuel relay working on these trucks?

 

Sounds like a fuel issue, need to have fuel pressure checked, auto zone may lend fuel pressure gauges I'm not sure, and if it's no fuel pressure then since fuel pump was changed, I would start by checking power going to pump if no power, swap fuel pump relay(I'm not sure but some cars have multiple relays that are basically all the same) u could swap like a/c relay for fuel pump relay, and check for power, if not swappable get fuel pump relay if no power at pump and swap with new one. I don't know who changed the timing chain but whoever did that work should have the tools and ability to trouble shoot this fairly easily, assuming they knew what they were doing changing timing chain.

 

Look for someone on the board from your area with a good attitude and willing to just come and look. Bringing a few diagnostic tools. Should be able to tell you if it's EASILY fixable. Anything is fixable but you don't need to spend a year saving and not working for a handful of parts if that's needed. Get a job, hitch a ride and go to a buy here pay here for an old Corolla. I see Vibes pop up pretty cheap and they're Toyota. Also A Geo in good shape. Look for a model that was jointly produced and get the cheaper version, They're identical.

I tell every lady I meet that's looking for a car cheap or for their kid to only consider Toyotas. Not just for the engine but the tranmissions. They just don't seem to fail......well, 300K on not enough maint. is kind of the limit. BUT IT MADE IT THAT FAR!

 

If it runs when you're spraying starter fluid in it, then it is probably a fuel supply problem. You need to see if you're getting fuel up to the engine, and there isn't an easy way to do that without a fuel pressure gauge. Don't just throw parts at it until you know what is wrong; it's expensive and frustrating and rarely works.
I'm a teacher at a high school and our auto shop will do work for people who need a little help. You might email the local high school auto shop teacher.
You don't come off like a sniveler.