2000 5.4L Triton - since I got this truck in April of 2015 (today is 11/11/15) this has happened 3 or 4 times. The truck runs great but occasionally it won't start up- just sits there and cranks for a while. Most of the time it will fire up after a couple minutes of trying but the most recent time it just wouldn't start. I left it for a day because I didn't have time to work on it until the following evening and when I went back to it I just tried starting it for kicks and giggles and it fired right up.
Immediately I'm thinking fuel pump- when it won't start I can just barely hear it priming and the other times I can hear it very well. That makes me think it could possibly be wiring but the heat wrap is unbroken from the pump to fuse box. I replaced the fuel filter just to be sure that wasn't it and it was quick and painless/cheap to do. Fuel pump is a different story however so I would like to make sure it's that before I do anything with it.
Fuel pressure appears to be ok by depressing Schrader valve on fuel rail. Also, from what I can remember, this has only happened after I've been driving it, stop it for a short period of time (to run into a store etc.) and try to start it again.

Any help/advice on what to check/test or ideas on what it could be would be helpful. Let me know if I need to explain anything in greater detail or if I left any vital info out. Thanks.

 

Depressing schrader valve doesnt tell fuel pressure put a guage on it and see pressure when you have problem.normal is 30 psig at idle I recall

I made a guage on 1/8" stainless tubing long ago i can attach and put at base of windshield while driving. Ive used it to monitor fuel pressure and transmission pressure while driving. Great for troubleshooting issues. Came from work so was free.

 

I tried using a pressure tester but the kit I have doesn't fit on the Schrader valve- led me to this forum cause I couldn't figure out the pressure. I'm just trying to get an idea of what it could be if not the fuel pump, or if all signs point there. If I can get a kit that has the right size valve I will test it, thanks for the tip. Sounds like you've got a pretty good setup there but I'm not sure if I have the skill to pull that off.

 

You need an adapter, they are $5 auto part store should have.

 

Follow up on the fuel pump as has been suggested. If that is not the problem, I would check the crank sensor. These get covered in grease and oil along with the connections. If they don't work, you won't get spark. I have heard of them acting intermittent and causing the problem like you are having.

 

Have you changed the fuel filter? They can cause a no start situation also.