Car won't start: alternator bearing or fuel pump?

[96ToyoCam164K]

I just knew the noises I was hearing since August had to be something funny. It started off as a fast intermittent ticking sound. Last week it progressed into a grinding rumbling sound similar to when my compressor bearing went out and seized the clutch. With this issue currently, The faster I accelerated, the more "it" (whatever it is) would grind, and then it'd disappear at about 30 mph. I drove a good 400 miles (300 on the highway) with the grinding sound going on. The actual ticking sound has been going on for several thousands miles now...I'm at 210,000 and it began well before 200,000.


I did the standard check, even taking off the distributer to make sure it my timing belt wasn't getting chewed up...even though its not due for another 10,000+ miles. Battery fine, friend says alternator is fine as no battery light is coming on.

So, is this sounding like a fuel pump issue? Car cranks over like usual, but wont start. It even started and cranked over and then shut off within 2 seconds. Then it wouldn't start back up.

So, guess Im stuck in Miami at the moment

[carsrus]

Spray carb cleaner/brake cleaner/whatever flammable in the throttle body and see if itll start.

If yes then its a fuel problem. Pop the bottom of the rear seat out and give the fuel pump a gooood couple whacks with a hammer. Don't be shy and dont hit plastic.

Idk about the grinding, sounds more like a wheel bearing since its mph related and not rpm.

[fenixus]

have you tried scanning it for any trouble codes when you turn the IGN key to ON position? '96 V6 was obd2 compatible (port behind the coin drawer). not sure about 5s-fe should be obd2 as well, but in case it is obd1, so jumper Te1-E1 in diagnostics connector and rear the codes by counting flashes at IGN ON.

http://www.troublecodes.net/Toyota/

that ticking sound story (and then grinding) doesn't sound too good ...

maybe change the oil and filter if you can and take a look how old oil looks like. any metal pieces might give you a hint where the grinding was coming from ...

[Mike Gerber]

"Spray carb cleaner/brake cleaner/whatever flammable in the throttle body and see if itll start."

Just an FYI. Brake cleaner is not flamable, so don't use it for this test.

Mike

[96ToyoCam164K]

well I took it in today and test still pending.

From what I thought, I thought it ws initially the lifter...so used Risolin to maybe unstick it. Couple guys said there was no fuel reaching the engine, and when I crank it you can smell the gas...

I didn't do the throttle thing because last month I sprayed deep creep and cleaned the throttle body and ICU hole. It wasn't too dirty and didn't mess up anything when I did it...so, just confused

[carsrus]

Originally Posted by 96ToyoCam164K

well I took it in today and test still pending.

From what I thought, I thought it ws initially the lifter...so used Risolin to maybe unstick it. Couple guys said there was no fuel reaching the engine, and when I crank it you can smell the gas...

I didn't do the throttle thing because last month I sprayed deep creep and cleaned the throttle body and ICU hole. It wasn't too dirty and didn't mess up anything when I did it...so, just confused

No a stuck lifter wont cause a car not to start. These kinds of lifters cant get stuck in that sort of sense either. You might wanna drain that stuff out.

The whole point of spraying carb cleaner or ether into the intake is to add fuel into the engine. If the fuel pump is pooched the card cleaner will act like fuel and the car will run for a couple seconds.

If you can smell gas its either spark or timing.

[96ToyoCam164K]

So the result was my 'computer' went bad...he took it out and showed me, and what happened was fuel was flooding 2 cylinders because it wasn't properly measuring it. I think the computer he was referring to, looked like a little flat box with things that plug into it.

Still not sure of the total outcome/cost, He said about $200 with a computer from the junkyard but I am in a sheer state of panic right now without it...1,500 miles from home and all my stuff in the car. but luckily I've got 1 good person to count on while Im here in the meantime.

My other friend who ditched me when the car broke down in the driveway says, "I think you need to get a new car..." I'm like...I think you need to buy me one since you suggested it

I did ask the mechanic if maybe the fuel filter since I've never changed it out and the recommendation is 60,000 miles? He said it wasn't that...

[96ToyoCam164K]

Any ideas?

[fenixus]

so how did he "know" it was the computer (fried?) ?
do you have any error codes you can read off it at IGN ON?

[96ToyoCam164K]

I'm going to write up a new thread in response, follow me....