Just as some background to start; Just finished a 1000 mile drive from Illinois to Colorado. Truck was running in decent condition before the trek, now that I am in Colorado I can't get it to even start. I did notice in Nebraska however that it had a little more trouble starting than in Illinois or Iowa.

I had the starter, alternator, and battery (which is 5 days old) tested; everything tested fine.

The truck is trying to turn over, and when I give it gas it seems to try even harder/almost get to a full start. I'm thinking it could be a few things: Fuel pump, injectors, O2 sensor, spark plugs, or even just the relay. I'm not sure where to start/the best course of action as to figuring out where in lies the issues.

Any suggestions??

Tl;dr- Truck doesn't start, most likely fuel system.

 

The engine needs fuel air and spark to run. and the spark must be delivered at the correct time to run.
To check for a fuel delivery problem; spray some ,(2 squirts) of carb/choke cleaner into the air intake hose and attempt to start the engine. If it will start and run for a few seconds you have a fuel delivery problem. If no attempt to start, remove one of the spark plug wires and place it about 3/8 of an inch from the engine or a good ground, don't try holding it because if you do have spark there it can travel to you and bite you. It'l get your attention shall we say. Then try to start the engine and you should see the spark jump from the spark plug boot to the ground point. If you have no spark you have an ignition system problem. If you have both there may be a spark timing problem which could possibly involve a timing belt problem if your engine has a timing belt. Depending on which requirement is missing will determine what path to follow.

 

Just purchsed not running 97 2.3 liter. Replaced fuel pump, filter, plugs and wires. I know I have gas all the way to the injector rail because I depressed the pressure valve and got wet. I have spark to the plugs (pain in the neck to change driver side). I sprayed engine starter fluid into intake and truck turns over and runs till I stop spraying. Where do I go from here? Thanks.

 

It does sound like the fuel pump is not being energized. Do you hear the pump run for the usual 2 seconds when you first turn the key on?
Would help if we knew what you had other than it is a 97 - 2.3L .

 

Thanks for asking hanky. It is a 2.3, 5spd., dual coil pak, 8 plug, 2wd. Pump is running longer than 2 seconds, almost continual. Oreilly AP says I need to do pressure test to see if I'm getting enough output from the new fuel pump to activate the injectors. I figure on trying that later on Sunday.