First off I love this truck. 4 years ago I had a very similar problem and it turned out to be the fuel pump. Major pain because it requires pulling the gas tank. So here is the scenerio. A couple of weeks ago I started to notice the engine ping more than usual. While the vehicle was cold I retarded the timing without starting it. I've done this before with no problems. Tried to start the truck and it wouldn't start. Played with the timing and finally got it to start. After that the engine would turn over a dozen times without starting and then once I cranked him over again it would fire up after about 4 cranks. Assuming that I had screwed up something major I took it to a shop and had them reset the timing correctly. I was only off a few degrees and even the tech said that shouldn't have caused the truck to be hard to start. After the shop finished the timing everything seem to be back to normal. (note to self, don't play with the timing)So off I go in to the badlands to do a little scouting for deer season. Truck seems to be running fine, go around a corner and the engine quits and won't restart. I just put a new rotor, cap and plugs in so I know it can't be that (toyota OEM on all the tune up parts)Get a tow to the local shop ($187.00) ouch! Mechanic is working on something else but has enough time to spray starter fluid into the throttle body and ole' Rosco fires right up. So my question is could this be another fuel pump? If so I'm pretty disappointed. I have less than 10k miles on the last replacement and would think that they would hold up better. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

doesnt an 85 pickup have a mechanical fuel pump located on the passenger side of the head? Maybe Im confused.

Oops..........should have said that it was fuel injected. Pretty rare from what I understand.

It could be that the AFM fuel pump contact is dropping out. You could try the fuel pump test jumper to rule out a problem with the AFM fuel pump contact.

Ever change the fuel filter?????

It definately sounds like a fuel delivery issue. Timing is 5* BTDS but you first have to jumper the infamous "T" connector to do it properly. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Yep, did it a couple of years ago when I replaced the fuel pump.

thanks 4crawler, I'll pass this info on to the shop owner.

85' EFI? If 4Crawlers suggestions dont work out, then I'd be suspicious of the EFI wiring harness. With it cutting out when going around a corner and the intermittant occurances Id guess wiring. Only because I experienced this with my 87' 4Runner. Would fire right up with starter fluid and run until the juice was spent. The EFI wiring harness leaves alot to be desired, all 4 injectors are connected via one really schidty butt connector mid harness that has a tendancy to ROT. This connector ties all 4 injectors to ground...on 85' no ground equals no gas. Check 4Crawlers list first then move onto the wiring harness.

~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

thanks Darin.....I should have been more clear that the engine only cut out the one time and then it wouldn't restart. Before that it seem to experience more like what 4crawler's AFM problem suggested. The mechanic is ASE and owns a toyota so hopefully he can figure it out. I haven't actually talk to him yet, but the owner told me that they aren't getting any power to the fuel pump.