I have a 2001 with a 4.6L. About once a week it will crank and crank but not want to start. Then, usually around the 5th try, I turn the key and it starts right up. I don't have a CEL or anything. Any ideas?

 

If it's cranking, it's turning over. Do you mean it doesn't fire (start running)?

Do you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the key on? Will it start if you give it just a little gas?

When was the last time you changed the fuel filter? Have you checked the fuel pressure with a gauge?

 

really sound like a clogged filter..

 

Right that's what I mean. It starts 90% of the time but like I said, every now and then it just cranks and doesn't start. Tapping the gas worked once but not since then so it might have just been a coincidence. Usually when it decides to do this it starts right up about the 5th try. I changed the fuel filter recently and it didn't help.

 

Check the fuel pressure.

 

What would low fuel pressure indicate? Bad pump? Would I have bad pressure all the time or just when it doesn't want to start?

 

If changing the filter doesn't fix the problem, and the fuel pressure is low, you're probably looking at a pump.