1988 bad fuel or fuelpump

[Montanahelp]

I recently bought a really clean 1988 4 cylinder at a police abandened vehicle auction. It looks like it had been sitting for a long time - the tags on the license plates were dated 2004. I was able to get it going at the auction and drive it on my tow dolly. I got it home and drove it off the dolly and parked it. I tried to start it yesterday and it won't fire.

When I got it running at the auction I had to crank it over for a long time and add a little starting fuel before it started. I've never had this problem with a fuel injected car before. I'm thinking either the gas it bad, or the fuel pump is weak or going out. How do I tell if the fuel pump is bad? I guess it is either the pump, the filter, or just the gas.

[Kep]

Quick fuel pump test is to open the gas cap and listen while someone turns the key on. You should hear the fuel pump. However, a better test is to hook up a pressure gauge to the fuel line after the filter and see what you have.

Kep

[toyomoho]

There is typically a small box in the engine compartment either drivers or passengers side shock tower that contains test point terminals.

Find the box and connect the FP and B+ terminals with wire to jump the fuel pump (ign switch on). The terminal layout key is under the box lid.

Could be a faulty fuel pressure regulator, location at end of fuel rail.

Suggest picking up a Haynes or other low cost shop manual to gain specific test info.