What's caused this truck to die? No one so far has been able to figure it out. (long)

[jbloggs_c]

ok heres the story. last night my girlfriends 95 toyota pickup (4cyl)died on hte way to the store. It was a 45 zone which was not cool, but the fact that the engine stopped when she was going at a constant speed might be a clue or something. Also, the truck has had a rough idle for the past 2 years or more (i didnt know her that long). The hood actually shakes up and down when it is idling. Also it makes this kind of puttering noise and the shifter shakes around (it is a manual). Another thing I noticed is that the lights (both headlights and interior/gauge lights) get brighter when you give it gas.
When it actually died, she said the engine sounded worse than usual just before it cut out. I wasnt there so i cant describe the sound. Also, once it was dead, it would actually turn over sometimes and just barely idle, but after a minute or so it would stall/die. The strange part was that when i tried giving it more gas from this weird idle, it stalled. It did not rev at all.

Because of the lights dimming thing, I suspected the alternator, but would that be consistent with all the other stuff that was happening? Another guy said it was probably a "bad connection somewhere", which really doesnt help much. I thought it could be a bad ground from the battery maybe, but would any of this explain why stepping on the gas had no effect last night?

[mmead16116]

i dont think it would be a bad ground wire. the reason i say that is when installing something, if it doesnt have a ground wire connected, then it wont work at all.because of the headlights, i would suspect something to do with the alternator also, but dont know how that would affect the rough idle. my best advice is to go to a reputable mechanic and have them do a diagnostic on it to tell you exactly what is wrong.

[mep]

The stalling when giving it gas sounds like a fuel problem. She didn't run out of gas did she!!?

Could also be condensation in the fuel tank & lines. Try some STP fuel treatment & a full tank of 93 octane to get rid of impurities in the gas lines.

Also might need a new fuel filter... can't hurt to replace it anyway.

My initial thoughts...

mep

[jbloggs_c]

No she wasnt out of gas. That was the first thing I asked her too. I'm starting to think the thing with lights is not related to the rough idle. If it is condensation/water in the fuel tank though, would that cause the idle to be rough for over 2 years?
We actually had it towed to a mechanic last night. Its just been bothering me because I cant figure out for certain what is wrong.

[gdalton]

Sounds like the fuel filter or pump. I would replace bothe the pump and the filter then go ahead and throw in some new plugs and wires and check the intake filter and tb to see if they are gummed up. But I'm not a mechanic and have only the slightest idea what I'm going on about because my 91 escort did the same thing and it turned out to be the fuel pump.

[mep]

Water in the tank would not cause the prob for 2 years... but it may have been the culprit originally. It could actually be as bad as rust in the tank(caused by leaving low amount of fuel in tank for extended periods...& condensation forming), but more likely needs a fuel pump & filter like gdalton said.

I'm no certified mechanic either, just know what I've seen happen to cars in the past.

Basically, you guys need to track down a reputable shop & have the truck gone over top to bottom & get a full service tune-up!! Might seem like a big chunk to dish for preventative maintenance, but if she stays on top of her maintenance, odds are major problems like she's having now will not be as common.

Good luck with it!

mep

[1995g20t]

I would look at the distributer cap. Make sure it is not cracked and that it's seated properly. A cracked or loose cap can cause exactly what you describe.

[jbloggs_c]

Thanks for all the responses everyone.

[tdog551]

i agree with gdalton, my g would sometimes stall out, and when you went to start it, it would catch and idle for a few seconds, then die, and if you gave it gas it would die, it ended up being fuel pump.

[jbloggs_c]

Thats pretty much an exact description of what it was doing yesterday. I guess the thing with the lights dimming is unrelated. The mechanic said he'd have the diagnostic done tomorrow morning so we shall see.

[tdog551]

before you take it in, stick a funnel in the gas tank and listen for the pump to be doing its thing, it's like a whiring, fan sound.

[mmead16116]

i think im going to have to agree with these guys on the fuel idea. i hadnt thought of that earlier. but ithink the lights dimming is a sign of an old alternator, not a bad one.

oh yeah, im no mechanic

[jbloggs_c]

well it turns out the idle was set too high (there is no tach so its hard to tell) and thats what caused it to run rough. the dimming lights is indeed a cranky old alternator. but now for the reason it died: mep gets the prize. she ran out of gas. Not only that but she got pissed off when i asked her that at the time.
I'm not that stupid. it has plenty of gas. bla bla bla. To her credit the gas light was burned out, but still she must feel like a dumbass and a half.
id have to say it was definitely worth the trouble. she gets so much shit now from everyone around here. thats some funny stuff.

[mmead16116]

changing those filters still wouldnt be a bad idea. but im glad to know that it didnt cost an arm and a leg to get fixed.

peace

oh yeah, what about the needle? just cause the light is out, doesnt mean the needle doesnt work.

[jbloggs_c]

yeah the needle works fine. she claims it can usually go well below the e and not be a problem, but i dont know if i believe that. i love to make fun of her now. im going to get her a gas can for christmas as a joke. maybe a texaco gift certificate if they have one.

[mmead16116]

they should have one, if they dont i know exxon does.

[tdog551]

bp gascards, hell i ask for them for x-mas