When I turn the key, my engine has always turned over real fast and started right up but suddenly it is starting to take more cranks before the engine starts up and every now and then once it does the gauges will stay at the bottom and twitch around for about five seconds or so... Has anyone else experienced something like this on a 5.4?

Truck just got out of the shop for another problem that I have another thread for and when I picked it up from the shop is when I noticed this... May be making another trip up there tomorrow.

 

Sounds like a bad battery.

 

Yep. Mine was doing funny stuff like the gauge thing you mention - just as my Optima was going bad. Replaced battery and been fine ever since.

 

Alright good to know, thanks!