Cranks but doesn't Start! Help, tried almost everything.

2000 tacoma 3.4l 4x4 manual supercharged. Long story short, Friends truck not mine just trying to help him. Truck went through a lot of deep mud, drove it home but died due to alternator stopped charging. Tried to jump it and it wouldn't run. It smells like the truck is dumping a ton of fuel and the spark isn't strong enough to ignite it. Checked fuel pressure and it's ok @ 45psi. I have spark and injector pulse. I replaced the computer, igniter, spark plugs, crank sensor. I have no codes. This truck is driving me crazy!

 

Did you try to clean throttle body ? In case something is not right there.

 

Did you get all the mud out of the alternator? And battery.... If alternator is clogged, then it's not charging the battery so the battery probably died. Have you tried a push start? Will stay on when you push start it?

 

I forgot to mention that I replaced the alternator and cleaned the throttle body. I didn't try push starting it cause it cranks but doesn't start. I guess I could give it a try....

 

Is it true that this truck will start if the cam sensor is bad or disconnected? I don't have a way to check it, that's why I asked.

 

bump

 

give it some gas.....sorry i know not helpful.
BUMP

 

this....

I'd diagnose the cam and crank sensor. you'll get spark if a cam sensor is bad but won't fire .02

 

Did you try to push start it yet?

 

was gooing to ask that

 

No I couldn't push start is today cause it's pouring here in Jersey. I've read that the truck will run if the cam sensor is disconnected but I'm not 100% if that info is true. I replaced the crank sensor and nothing. I did have a scanner for a few days and the scanner sees cranking rpm. I have strong spark. While cranking the truck over I do smell a lot of fuel as if it's flooded. I checked fuel pressure and it's 45psi, which is within specifications. I have injector pulse. What I'm not sure about is when I have someone crank the truck over, there is very little suction through the intake. The air flow is about neutral. Now don't forget that this truck is supercharged and I don't know if that is normal. Also when I removed the pcv valve and had someone crank the vehicle, I can feel air blowing and sucking from the hole in the valve cover, which I think means the piston rings are worn out. I did a compression check and it was a little under spec but ok. I only did it on one cylinder, I should've did it on all so I will check them tomorrow.

 

where in jersey are you?

 

Was there any water in the intake? Is the exhaust plugged with mud?

 

I'm in Toms River. I removed the o2 sensor to see if the cat or muffler is clogged and it's not. He ingested a little bit of water but when he did we removed the air filter and he drove it until the battery was completely dead. For some reason I think it may be the cam sensor but can anyone tell me if it will run if it's bad.

 

Check the cam sensor. There should be a reference voltage lead, a signal lead, and ground, iirc. The signal should fluctuate while cranking. DO NOT USE A TEST LIGHT. You need a high impedance multimeter.

 

I am Sorry about your problem. You need 3 things to get your engine to run: fuel, air and a spark at the correct time. You may have a slipped or bad timing belt. How many miles do you have on your Taco ? You mentioning that there is very little suction on your intake is a clue that something is out of time. I know the supercharger being on the front makes it tough to get to everything, but you may need to open it up to check the timing belt. Good Luck.

 

****UPDATE***** You hit the nail on the head with that one. The Timing was waaay off. The timing belt was stretched and I guess dry mud got into the wrong place at the wrong time and she skipped a lot of teeth. After I fix the timing issue she fired right up. The lack of intake suction was a huge clue that I kinda brushed off. Thanks to everyone who tried to help!!!

 

Nice diagnostic and repair work!

 

Ahhh... Timing belt. I do not miss you!

 

Change the oil if you haven't already. If you slipped a tooth on the timing belt, that makes me think of water in the cylinders.....and of course in the oil as well.