I have a 95 1/2 tacoma w/ 289,000 miles (2.7L), the other day on the way to work the truck started back firing and choking off finally it cut off and barley turned over when I tried to restart it. I put in a new battery ab 100 miles ago and I had the battery tested it passed. The altenator is also new it is an aftermarket unit from the local parts store. Are there any known wiring issues with early tacomas? There is no check engine light on, I'm trying to fix it as cheap as possible and have access to scan tools and any other tools I may need. Has anyone else had these issues? Any help is appreciated!

 

Backfiring would suggest to me that it's not an electrical issue. Did you replace the battery/alt before or after this problem? Almost makes me wonder if you have a leaking injector and it's causing a (partial) hydro-lock maybe. Be careful, that could cause major damage so if it's trying to turn over and feels like it's seizing up don't keep trying. I would pull the spark plugs and see if there's any fuel or water in the cylinders.

Before that, see if a jump start will give you any different results.

 

I installed the battery after it wouldnt crank one day, then while I was driving home it started back firing and shutting down so I pulled over and it was still running then it shut off. I replaced the alt. after that then it drove fine for a day then had the same back firing and shutting off problem the next. I jumped it off the moring after and let it run then about 5 minutes later it died but no back firing.

 

I would test the output of the new alternator.

 

could be the charge back wire or the battery fuse if it have one