1mtcloke

1997 Ford F150 4.6.
I pulled into my parking spot last Friday; not motor problem.
Came out in early PM to drive home, and she would not start.
Turned over just fine, just did not fire up.
I let the truck sit for a couple days while I did some research.
Everything pointed toward a pump or sending unit. Some pages
said filter.

For the past few months, the fuel indicator on the dash would bounce up and down, erratically.

I had arranged for the truck to be towed to my house last Saturday. A couple of my coworkers and I pushed
the truck up a slight ramp, and into a parking space that would give a wrecker easy access and exit.
In doing so, there were several stop and start, steps. After we got the truck parked, I turned the key, and
the truck almost started.

Today, I had the truck towed to my home. Flatbed tow. After the drivers left, I charged the battery, and turned the key.
Truck started right up...and then quit. I tried one more time, with the same results, but less time running. I thought
maybe the movement from the towing might have stirred something.
Rocking the truck forward and back, then jumping back in the seat and turning the ignition, I was able to get the truck to
start for a moment or two. No repeat. after additional rocking.
I know I have at least six or seven gallons in the tank.

Does this sound like the pump is bad, or is there something contaminating the pump/filter. Needle is fluctuating too much.

COStruck

You can get a free loaner FP gauge and get a definitive answer on the FP. I forget the min pressure you should see from a good pump, but it's all over this site. If the filter is old enough to suspect, you should probably just change it anyway.

Jbrew

Fuel pumps begin to freeze up when they start to fail. Next time smack the tank with something hard KOEO to energize. That'll usually get you home.

Same goes for the starter. Hit them with a hammer while someone else cranks.