I have a '97 with 4.2. If I start and run it everyday, it starts great. If it sits for a few days it starts but runs very badly for 5-10 seconds. The longer it sits the worse it runs after starting and it takes longer to start. Check engine light is not on, so I have been told that there will not be any codes.

I have not tried to spray carb cleaner into the air intake while someone cranks it, I should do this then I would know if it is a fuel problem. My wife has bad wrists and can not turn the key switch to crank it. Thanks for any ideas.
Dennis

 

How many miles are on the vehicle? How many miles on the plugs? What brand are the plugs? Check the fuel pressure. Check the compression. Put a bottle or two of Gumout for high mileage engines in the gas.

 

It has 134000 miles and I think that I put new plugs and checked the compression when I bought it four years ago. I have put on 5000 mile on it in the last 4 years, so it does sit a lot. I am thinking it may be a fuel problem.

 

What happens if you give it a little gas when trying to start it? What about if you turn the key on and wait for about 5 seconds before turning it to Start?

 

I will try turning the switch on for a few seconds, something I did not think of. Thanks