So I don't know what's wrong with my trucklet... LOL.  It was acting up for a month or so.  Basically not wanting to start sometimes, but if I rocked the truck back and forth, it would usually start ok.  Well it finally quit.  Now it won't start at all.  I was kinda hoping it was the starter, but the tachometer also stopped working as well.  I roll started it today (after it had been sitting for a month or two) and it did not want to run.  Finally got it to run and idle ok, pulled it into the shop to see if I could figure out what the deal is...  Anyone have any input?  Does this sound like the ECM?  I did read that I need to check the fuel pump, so I guess I'll go try to listen for that.  The ECM is located under the driver's side of the dash, correct??  Any input/help would be GREATLY appreciated.  I need to get this truck on the road before we start gettin' any winter weather...

Thanks in advance!
Bryan

If the truck is running it is not the ECM. Since you could get it to start by rocking it. It sounds like it could be an intermittent short in the wiring. Check for trouble codes.

The truck would run if roll started.  It didn't want to run well, but it did run.  That could have been because it had been sitting for a couple months though.  I did start doing that when I parked it though.  It kinda bucks under acceleration.  The fuel pump is priming when the key is on though, so I don't think that's the issue.  Is there a way to check the codes, or do I need to get it started and get it to a computer scanner?  Also, I looked at the ECM, but can't really tell which bolts would let it loose and drop down.  Are they round phillips head, or hex/phillips head that I could use a wrench on?  I know I sound like an idiot, but I just don't know this truck that well.  I wish I knew it as well as I know my car, but I've had that for almost 8 years now... LOL

Thanks again!
Bryan

Not wanting to start and tach not working... Have you checked the condition of the battery? My tach stopped working on my 90 Tracker when the alternator went bad. If it wasn't for the Optima Yellowtop battery, I wouldn't have made it home that day. If the alternator went bad, the battery is weak at best and would only recover enough to start the truck a couple times before it got weak enough to not even turn over, but it might still recover enough to run the fuel pump for a little while...

I would definately check the alternator and the battery. It's most likely not the ecm if the truck runs, a bad ecm would keep it from running at all. You can ubolt the alternator and take it to Advance or Autozone and have them test it for free. Same with the battery. Good luck and let us know what it was when you get it fixed! LOL!

Yeah, it dawned on me that it could be the battery after my last post. LOL  I went out and checked it and it was in pretty rough shape...LOL  It's a 2002 battery.  Ugh.  I replaced it, and now it starts, but it's still slow starting.  I think it's a two-fold problem.  I think my original diagnosis was correct in thinking my problem with intermittent starting is the starter.  The reason it died completely was the battery died. LOL  I'll get Advance to check the Alternator and the Starter just to see what their machines tell me.  Thanks guys!  I'm an idiot.  It just didn't occur to me that it could be the battery until after I had posted. LOL

When you say it's still "slow starting", do you mean the starter cranks very slowly, or do you mean it cranks for a long time before starting?

You may need a new fuel filter, and you also may have water in your gas (which might explain the gradual deterioration and the part where rocking it got you started).  Dump a can of Heet in there.

Did the tach come back? If not, then I still think the alternator is bad. I've had a bad battery before and the tach still worked, but as soon as the alternator went bad, the tach stopped working until I replaced the alternator...