Hello everyone!

So, I had something happen that has never happened before.

I went to start my truck to move it and it crank, fired for a second and died. Then it would crank and crank and crank. I turned it off a few times and tried again. It would try to start for a half second and then just crank. I couldn't tell if the pump was running or not because I had the door open and the chime was going off.

I turned the truck off and went to inspect the emergency fuel shut off switch. It wasn't activated but I pressed on it anyways. Went back to start the truck. I turned it to on (with the door shut) and I heard the pump engage and it started fine. I let it warm up and took it around the block. I got to the main road and floored it and it didn't loose any power. It ran completely fine. Got back to the house and turned it off, I started it back up and it started fine.

I am crossing my fingers and hoping it starts in the morning.

What should I start looking at? At first I thought it was because of my loose gear shift, but then it wouldn't even crank if that was the problem. Maybe a relay is going out? Intermittent pump failure? I am 100% sure it was the pump failing to engage, based on the fact that it ran for half a second on the fuel still in the rail.

Any ideas? I will report back tomorrow and let you all know if it starts fine tomorrow.

Thanks in advance.

 

Truck misses now at 55 mph and at 45 mph under slight load (I.e. Slight up hill) no cel. Will get back with more information after this formation.

 

Sounds like you probably have a fuel problem. Change the filter if you haven't already and check the pressure. The light miss could be related to the fuel issue or a coil getting weak. Sometimes a weak coil takes a while to throw a code. Mine was skipping for almost a month before it finally threw one. Hope this helps.

 

Before we continue, I forgot to throw down the specs of my truck


2001 5.4L 4x4 Auto with 120k.


I am going to check fuel pressure tonight. KOEO and KOER to see what my numbers are. The fuel filter has about 25k on it. If the pressure checks out I'll leave it for now.


What pressures am I looking for?


Also, the miss seemed kind of excessive. It felt like I was rolling over speed bumps at 55 mph. It only happens on light loads 1k-1.2k RPMs and the tach didn't jump. I was watching the tach because at first I thought it was the TC lock engaging and disengaging rather quickly.


I also pulled over, revved it up. Did just fine. I turned the truck off and let it sit for a second and then started it up, it started just fine.


I took off from the stop and got the truck up to about 4500-5k rpms. It pulled okay, but it almost felt like I was driving a Honda with Vtech. The power would come on and then it came on even more after I believe 3500rpm.


Trying to give my best description. I wish a CEL would come on so I can pinpoint the cylinder. I am going to check all of the spark plugs and COPS tonight and re-torque the plugs to 28-32 ftlbs.


Guess we'll standby until tonight

 

the fuel filter is 10k overdue I think. I'm not sure. But when I turn my key on you can hear it prime it makes a noise when I turn the key on and the fuel light goes off then it's primed. Try sticking your phone on the rear tire and video tape if you can get in it and close the door so it won't ding and turn the key and then listen to the video if you have no one else to help you

 

Tune-up time ... and replace that fuel filter 25K it's due. 120K your over due for plugs.

 

It has new plugs in it. I think I installed them about this time last year.


I guess I am grabbing a fuel filter, however, I don't believe the pump was running when the truck wouldn't start. That is why I am leaning towards a bad relay. I am going to swap relays around. The truck starts fine now. Now I have a miss...


Would cranking the truck for 10+ seconds without it running cause damage to the COPs? I don't think it would.


This is why I am going to pull the plugs and inspect. I am hoping there is no fluid in the spark plug holes. The last time I was in there they were all dry.

 

I am also going to check to see if there are any pending codes that didn't trip the MIL yet...

 

32#s with the vacuum hooked up to the regulator, 40#s with the vacuum disconnected.

 

what?