Weird starting problem...help please?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: texas
Originally Posted by GadsenCulpepper
So...I went to eat with the misses, left, drove 1/10th of a mile to the gas station and got fuel. When I went to leave my truck (1999 F150) wouldnt start. It would turn over and over and over, cough, and spit a little and thats about it. We called a tow truck and while waiting for it to arrive I tried starting it a few times again and it would cough, sputter, spit and barely ALMOST start. The tow truck came and he was talking about the intertia switch...right, I know...then when we got it home a few miles away we rolled it off with it in neutral. I put in park and tried and it fired right up 
. I had a strange incident with this one time a few months ago but it coughed and then ran.
I read on here that the shift lever connection can get goofy. A buddy said its probably the fuel pump. I HAVE noticed that the shift lever and indicator will say that its in park but its still actually in reverse. It KIND of makes sense that could be it because of a loose switch connection in the shift safety deal almost letting it start by barely making a contact.
So...any ideas?
. I had a strange incident with this one time a few months ago but it coughed and then ran.I read on here that the shift lever connection can get goofy. A buddy said its probably the fuel pump. I HAVE noticed that the shift lever and indicator will say that its in park but its still actually in reverse. It KIND of makes sense that could be it because of a loose switch connection in the shift safety deal almost letting it start by barely making a contact.
So...any ideas?
Ck at night ,if you can get it to run , for arcing plug wires or coil.
Ck. For clean/tight battery cables.corrosion can seep into the cable insulation where you can't see. Use a injector cleaner. Consider changing the fuel filter . Ck for good air filter. Use a throttle body-cleaner . Ck plugs they can get fouled w carbon. These to start with cheap too.good luck let us know !
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: texas
Originally Posted by gassign94
Wo. Sputtering ! Check to see if you have spark at the no. 1 plug.
Ck at night ,if you can get it to run , for arcing plug wires or coil.
Ck. For clean/tight battery cables.corrosion can seep into the cable insulation where you can't see. Use a injector cleaner. Consider changing the fuel filter . Ck for good air filter. Use a throttle body-cleaner . Ck plugs they can get fouled w carbon. These to start with cheap too.good luck let us know !
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 200
Likes: 4
That happened to my truck. I have had a hard time starting it when it was cold outside. If I turn it off wait a few ten try it again it would start. Then I changed my fuel filter it had a bigger problem. I drove it for 3 miles and turned it off. Tried restarting it. Well the fuel pump went out. It cost 100 at autozone and I dropped the tank myself with two floor jacks. It took about 4 hours to do because my tank was half full. Bought a syphon kit from
The parts store for around 15 and put the gas in my jeep.
The parts store for around 15 and put the gas in my jeep.
Thread Starter
Holding a wolf by the ear
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Collinsville, Illinois
It doesnt matter if I leave it parked outside, or inside. I just randomly does it. It hasnt just quit on me yet thankfully. I keep trying to duplicate the problem to narrow it down. Im thinking it has to be a relay or the Schrader valve.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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a Schrader valve is used to hook up a pressure gauge. If it goes bad it will leak fuel. I don't see any way it could be the cause of your problem. Although I do recommend hooking a fuel pressure gauge to it to check the fuel pump.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
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random non-starts
anyone have this issue.....i have '03 SC 4x4 5.4, last summer on a long trip to TN from Toronto, Canada after stopping for dinner the truck had a difficult time turning over, batt fine, full fuel...then 10 min later started up fine, but at idle it putters, now it does it this at least once a week....any suggestions
Thread Starter
Holding a wolf by the ear
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Collinsville, Illinois
Ignition coil?
Mine would sputter once a month when I would come to a stop somewhere for a a few seconds then be fine.
Check the coils to see if they are loose. The little bolt that holds them down can break. Happened to me and my coil just went out.
Mine would sputter once a month when I would come to a stop somewhere for a a few seconds then be fine.
Check the coils to see if they are loose. The little bolt that holds them down can break. Happened to me and my coil just went out.