1997 F-150 Won't Start Reliably
 

Hi, please bear in mind this is my first post here. I've read through several topics relating to similar issues of the vehicle cranking but not starting. I have a similar issue where my truck will crank again and again until the cows come home but not start. Other times it will fire up just fine. Sometimes I have to try to crank it two or three times. Sometimes 8 to 13 times. It's never consistent. I have been told by a friend of mine it could be a problem with the fuel pump not providing fuel into the system to turn it over properly. I have a half tank of gas in there now so it shouldn't have an issue but any thoughts from the experts?

When you turn the key on, you should hear the fuel pump prime, it takes a couple seconds. When was the last time you changed the fuel filter? You can "borrow" a fuel pressure gauge from most parts stores, connect it to the Schrader valve on the fuel rail and turn the key on. You should see at least 28 psi, the closer to 40 it is, the better.

I've never changed the fuel filter in the 5 years I've owned the truck. I'm very vehicle un-savvy to be honest. I'm not sure what I'm listening for when it primes?

The fuel filter needs to be changed every 30k miles. You are listening for a brief "buzz" coming from inside the fuel tank. It's easier to hear if you open the gas cap and stand there and listen while another person turns the key on.

Perhaps you need to review other preventative maintenance that's required on your truck....................

Spark plugs
Spark plug wires (4.2 and 4.6 only)
Air filter
Etc. etc. etc.

I was at the same place you are many years ago. Go to your favorite auto parts store and pick up a Haynes manual for your truck. They are great for starting out. If you never go past Chapter 1, you'll still save yourself $1000 a year doing the basics and the Haynes manual has lots of pictures that are great for starting out. With a Haynes manual and this website, it how I was able to take care and learn about trucks many years ago.

Believe me, you can do it and save yourself a lot of money. The fuel filter is a good job to start with. Read through the Haynes manual, see if you can find a few YouTube videos, get a new Motorcraft filter, take a few deep breaths, and go for it.

Hunt4Fun

If you do the fuel filter yourself, you will need a clip release tool.

Just to be clear, your issue is not the fuel filter, however, not replacing the fuel filter can lead to fuel pump failure which you may now be facing.

The issue could very well be the filter - you can't discount that possibility. A fuel pressure test would help. We still don't know if the pump is running or not!

Start with the cheap stuff. Do the filter! then if it wont start get a fuel pressure gauge.

While I emphatically agree the fuel filter needs to be replaced, I respectfully disagree that the filter is keeping it from starting. The OP said sometimes it fires right up and sometimes it can be cranked until the cows come home. Either the filter is clogged or it isn't. I have never seen a fuel filter cause an intermittent issue.

Peterhaag86, you need to determine if the issue is fuel or spark related. You can do both for free. The easiest thing to do is "rent" a fuel pressure gauge as was suggested earlier, or buy one for $20 at Harbor Freight

You can also swap the fuel pump relay with the horn relay when it's acting up to determine if its the relay or the pump.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...037107ad7a.jpg

In cold climates fuel thickens slightly so a clogged filter can in those situations give intermittent no starts. It is an easy fix no mater what. Filter first then check FP during the no start. Probably does have a pump problem.