This afternoon I drove back to Jersey from Camp Lejeune, NC. It was 600miles and about 10 hrs....rain on and off average of 80 some degrees.

Anyway I parked the lightning in the driveway and went out with my buddies for something to eat. When I got back a few hours later I tried to start up the truck so I could repark it in the driveway. It took me about 5 attempts before she actually started. Turned the igniton, it reved to about 1500rpms then immedietly droped and died. Over and over. I've also noticed that sometimes when i start her up in the morning it takes a few extra cranks to get started or it might just sound funky as hell when it turns over. Any ideas what the problem could be here?

Also somtimes at idle the truck likes to stutter a bit.

Feels like some sort of ignition problem. Im still in the phase where if it doesn't have a distributor....im at a loss for words Help me out.

[On the trip home I filled up with some cheapo 93. I almost ran out of gas and it was the only station i could make it too. I usually use the gas on base.... not sure of the quality. If that helps at all]

Thanks,
Jon
2001 Lightning

 

I'd try something simple like a new fuel filter.

 

Yes, if you have never changed the fuel filter that would be a good start. The idle problem sounds like it could be a dirty IAC. You can do a search here and learn what it is and how to clean it. You can also check and adjust you TPS sensor. That made mine idle smoother and shift better.

If it just acted up that one time, it might just be ghost that won't show up again. Mine did something like that one time a few months ago on a 93 degree day at the gas station. It's never done it again so I assumed it was vapor lock?

 

ditto

 

Ditto again..

Had the same issue with my 98 f150 xlt. Some say you can pop it off, and put some wd-40 in it. I never tried that, I paid something like 150 for a new one.

 

i'll jump on the bandwagon and say fuel filter..........

apparently if theres something wrong with your truck, its the fuel filter

 

sounds like a bad IAC.

good luck.

later,
chris

 

use carb cleaner.... it cleans out easy, just keep spraying until all the black stops running out...then blow it out with a compressor if you have one....or let it dry out on a table. It happens to all sorts of fords, my buddys sport track, my last two trucks, and my company van.