negative 5 on the coolant temp sensor
 

according to my mechanic, he read it off the diagnostic machine, the coolant temp says negative 5 and that's why it's hard starting.

He had to floor the gas pedal all the way then when cranking it, it started.

anyone ever heard of this before?

More likely the truck has a problem with the instrument cluster and intermittent PATS malfunction
Negative 5 means what exactly?
The ECT puts out a voltage signal
5 degrees if he is using a table would not need flood clear to start
Try turning the key on, and waiting 5 seconds, then off again, then on and try to start it
Cluster problems with your year of truck are common
Get a second opinion

So you think nobody can start their truck below zero? Really? A lot of the northern states in the US would disagree with you

I think you should probably get a second opinion from a better mechanic.

well found out the problem, the Cylinder head temperature sender was NOT even there, and wasn't plugged in. that's why it was sending code 1289 (if I remember correctly) getting a HT sender installing and plugging in, should work better then. just running rich because of the reading of -5. :) Turns out my OBD code reader said the same thing. :)