This thing is madding. Intermittingly it will turn over strong but not start. We can attempt to start maybe 8 – 10 times turning over strong and it will not start. Walk away, come back 10 mins. Later and the thing will start right up and run strong. Other times no problems start right up. While running, it is never rough or missing. I have changed the fuel filter after the first set of occurrence of non-start, and it seemed to correct the problem for about a month, but unfortunately the problem has reappeared. I did notice the fuel looked a little dark coming out of the inflow of the filter so I dropped the tank thinking I might have a rust problem, but the tank I super clean. I am stuck. I am wondering if it is my pump acting up, but when I plugged it in and turned the key it did kick on but only for 2-3 seconds. At this point my only guess is it’s the pump running intermittently. Anybody have any other suggestions of what could be the problems…..It acts like a fuel issue not electrical, but I am truly left scratching my head at this point.

 

I'm going to have to say the fuel pump is on its way out. My mom has a 2001 Expedition, and what you're describing is exactly what was happening to her. It happened a couple times before, goign to the gas station, coming out to leave and it wouldn't start. waited a little bit and it would start. The last time she went to the store and went to leave and wouldn't start so she got a ride home. Went back a few hours later and it started so I drove it to my buddys house and he changed the fuel pump and now no more problems.

 

x2 on the fuel pump. I had the same symptoms on my truck several years ago, and a new fuel pump solved the problem.