well here's the story my dad brought home this car that was donated... some people wanted to take it off our hands and my dad told me to get it to start.

well i swapped 2 spare batteries that were laying in the garage. both didn't start it would just turn over. then i noticed alot of buildup in the carburetor and the previous owner had told me that whenever he wanted it to start he would have to pour gas down the carburetor. i just took some carb cleaner cleaned it up a little bit. and tried to start it still no go. but i let it sit for a while and it started up once. then i cut it and tried to start again but it would try and turn over but would die. so i hook up jumper cables and it would start.

cliff notes.
try to start car, will try to turn over but wont start. started once... but cant start again unless i jump the batteries.

i want to say alternator but the car should be able to start even with some juice in the battery. there's no clicks so i don't think a dead battery or bad connection is the issue.

its a 87 Toyota pickup
TIA

 

bump

 

check the voltage on the battery first, and then go from there

 

my lazy *** was trying to avoid that step cuz i broke my voltmeter... im just going to trial and error and have the guy that wants the car bring me a new battery =p. just wanted to see if anyone has had this happen or knows the exact answer.