Hulloooo, fellas.

I have done a search on this but haven't found anything. I have a one-week old Silver '01. I traded a 2000 F-150 4x4 5.4L for it. Here is my question. With the 2000 5.4L, the engine would turn over twice (less than a second) before coming to life. The Lightning won't start for about 2.5 to 3.5 seconds. The starters sound very different, and the engines are definitely diverse, but I need a good idea of what to expect when starting my truck. Should it turn over for 2 or 3 seconds before starting? Should I worry about the fuel-pump or the relays? Even if it doesn't get any worse, I'm still concerned about starter wear and tear. One thing, when it does come to life...hoooooo doggie, she sounds great.

Related question:

How do you know both of your fuel pumps are functioning?

Thanks for the help, y'all.

 

If your fule pump was broke your truck wouldn't run with just one of them.

I'm not sure that your truck sounds normal with a 2 to 3 second start up.

Mine's ready to get up and go after a second.

Now do you stick the key in and go directy to turning it over, or do you go to the accessories and give the fuel pumps some time to send some fuel up there, and then try to kick it over.

I always wait about two seconds for the fuel pumps.

 

Lightnings have 2 fuel pumps? with a single tank?

 

Stock '99. Starts immediately. I cannot remember it ever cranking except when I start it, let in run a bit, then shut down. On restart a couple minutes later it might crank for second or two before it restarts. This is without ever touching the gas pedal on any start attempt.

I definitely think you have a problem for a fuel injected motor. Something ain't right. I would have thought the new car get ready guy would have noticed this.

 

I always wait in the accessory position to give the pumps time enough to pressurize the line. I usually don't turn it over until the odo finishes its little test. Come to think of it, it seems like its getting a little longer and longer each time. Worry, worry, worry.

I've made an appointment with the service department tomorrow. Hmph!! Already going in 9 days after taking her home. Oh, well. Pass me another Sam Adams (hiccup)

 

My moms explorer takes a long time to start. My friends f150's take along time to start. My 01 L takes a long time to start. I think its just fords. Its not a bad thing. Ive noticed when I turn it for a second and it doesnt start, that when i keep doing that, the start times go down eventually, i think the computer has to get used to it or something, like the PCM memory thing. And thats why it seems to be getting longer, because you are waiting for it to start, and everytime you do that, it could be programming the PCM for a different memory thing. i dont know, just my 2 cents

 

01 lightning, starts immediately. 99 lightning started immediately also.

 

1 or 2 seconds at most. I checked my fuel pumps yesterday for signs of the infamous cheap clamp on the fuel pump hose and found the pump clamps and dirt free tank to be in a-1 condition after 29k on my 00.

 

I have a fuel pump on order for my truck now.It takes about 3-4 seconds to start.I found the check valve on the fuel pump does not seat.This allows the lines to lose prime when motor is shut off.Nothing serious,just hve to drop the tank to change the pump.

 

mine seems to starts after one or two seconds cold and have to crank it, (hehe) acouple seconds more when warm. I know this doesn't help, BUT I wanted to say "crank it"

 

mine takes a few seconds to start up also

 

I got used to the normal 1 second and crank and "fire" in my 98 Cobra Vert. I noticed that it does take longer to start the L than the Cobra and my 2001 F-350 (5.4) work truck. I always seem to let go of the key 1/2 a second too soon on the L (It seems like it's going to fire...then doesen't). ALWAYS fires up right away on the second try.

I'm gonna try the suggestion earlier in this thread, leave the ignition switch to the ACC position for a few seconds, to let the fuel pumps prime the system.

Pat
2001 Silver Lightning
Bone stock

 

Roach, I did the 5.4L 4x4 to L change also. There is a different sound when the L starts, but mine seems very similar to my 4x4 timewise. There may be that extra 1/2 second delay.

 

HAD AN 01 SCREW BEFOR MY L AND THE L DOES TAKE JUST A LITTLE LONGER TO FIRE. ARTIE

 

I'm glad you brought this up as my 01 takes 2-3 secs. to start--cold or hot? It's always 'bugged' me a little bit because my 91 Z281LE(305ci efi) and my wife's 97 3.8 Gran Prix start almost before (LOL) you turn the key--especially the Pontiac. I just figured it was a 'quirk' of the Ford F/I/

Btw, I don't think turning the key to 'accessory' will help--I think you'd need to turn to 'start' for the pumps to be energized?

Dan