I have an '89 Toyota pickup, replaced the alternator myself, and had a hell of a time getting the timing readjusted, however after some work got it adjusted perfectly, starting right up smoothly all the time now. After about a month of driving the new alternator failed on me. So, I took it to a reputable shop and just had them throw the new one in and run diagnostics on the system to make sure there was nothing else going on. She runs great now, but now I notice that it's not starting as easily. It takes a couple tries now, and it feels like it's not getting enough spark. Do you think they may have retarded the timing when reinstalling the alternator? Is this the right direction to be looking? Thanks in advance for your input!

 

 

Like discombobulated says ^^, invest in a timing light, I got this Actron CP7529.
Also please clarify hard "starting"
No cranking or combustion.

 

Thanks! The best way I can describe is now it will die after a normal 1 second or so key turn. It wants to be held in the on position for closer to 2 seconds now, or alternatively if I give it gas it will start up.

 

Does it matter what temperature you're attempting to start? Could be the cold start injector system?

 

Yes it definitely starts easier when it's warm. Thanks I will look into the cold start injector.

 

Mine is a little hard to start when warm. It cuts out sometimes after start up and struggles a little to stay going the next start up. Once I give it gas all those symptoms disappear. On a cold start it cranks right up normally.