Hey fellas, Just joined the site, and have searched for the same problem as mine on here, but haven't really seen one exactly like it. Most guys have a rough idle, or goofy RPM levels that need to checked out. I think I just have a sensor, somewhere, that is failing.

86 F150 Lariat, 302, auto....all stock.
Will not start first thing in the morning. Cold start. However, if the magic ether is used, it starts right up, and never needs it again throughout the day, even if the truck sits off for 8-10 hours. OR if I don't start it in the morning, and the sun is out, by lunchtime, it'll fire right up..as if it has been warmed by the sun! I do live in Northeast PA, so it's not like we're scorching up the forecasts either.

I have no running issues with idle, or rough starts other than this. If its warm, starts and runs great on 1st crank. Once started, idles higher like normal, until its kicks down after 30 seconds or so.

I replaced the Coolant Temp Sensor in an attempt to rectify, and the TPS (from a prior malfunction).

I purchased from the local auto parts idiots an Air Charge Temp Sensor last night, basically because i didn't want to deal with the dummy flipping through the computer trying to find what part he could Forrest Gump his way to sending me home with. I figure, sensors go...so having this ACTS around couldn't hurt..was only $15 anyway.

I've heard of an Intake temp sensor, that could be the issue, but am unsure of location, or if this may have an effect on my problem. I've got a sensor between the upper and lower intake near the 1-2 cyl, but i'm not sure if thats what i'm looking at. Or what the auto parts idiots will call it in their computer...as we searched for intake temp sensor.

Any help some of you folks could provide would be awesome, I'm sure someone has seen it a thousand times on these baby's.

Thanks again, Gents.

 

That sensor between 1 and 2 is the ACT, which is the air temp sensor. So, you already bought one, if it's different, they sold you the wrong thing. For the record though, I really doubt this is the problem. When you turn the engine on in the morning, it sounds like the engine is at least cranking, which leads me to believe it's either fuel related or spark. Since you put fuel into it (ether) and it starts, I think it's a fuel delivery problem. Next time it doesn't work turn the key off, then turn it back on (without cranking the motor) to see if you hear a click from under the hood after about a second or two. If you don't then your fuel relay is sticking. If you do, hook up a fuel pressure gauge to the motor (before you start it) and see what pressure your getting.

 

I had the same problem on my 92 f150, changed the spark pluga, wires, and coil and it helped for about a week. Then it came back. Then I changed the coolant sensor, and the intake sensor, and my starter and all is well now. And I haven't had any issues. So since you already replaced the coolant one, you know its not that. Now try the intake temp sensor you just bought, and I'd no change, is get my starter tested.

 

Dang, last sentence is full of errors, sorry. Now try the intake temp sensor you just bought, and if no change, I'd get my starter tested.

 

Quit throwing parts at it till you do a fuel pressure test.........

 

ok, so I should have also mentioned that I did previously experience the fuel pump/relay woes, and have ripped out the in tank, and put the ford external in line pump set-up, and it deffiantely has sufficient pressure, and I can certainly hear it run prior to cranking. I usually let it run for about 5-10 seconds before i try to turn the motor over.

 

Yeah, now that I've been directed what gauge i can replace, I'll change it just for arguments sake, though another member said it may not be the issue, at least I won't have to worry about that in the future... I think my starter is going, I've recently experienced, only once, when im at normal operating temp, and turn off the motor. When I try to restart it cranks over realllll slooowwwww...like ive got a dead battery, I'm assuming its the starter being warm, and the electricity not flowing as it should in there. Once it cools for a min or two, it cranks like normal. It only happened once, but I've had the problem with a Camaro i used to own in High school...lol..

 

Where is the relay located, I'm sure I've got some relay issues, but am unsure which one is the fuel pump relay. Though my fuel pump is wired direct, and constant.

 

I've heard once coils, that need replacing, overheat and stop working til they reach a lower temperature. Never had an issue with it, I've just read about it.

 

AMISTAD--> Any luck?? (I am seeming to have this problem on my '97)

 

Not yet, I'm so used to the issue, that it's second nature to shoot ether in the TB just to get me to start up in the morning. I usually dont have time to do anything on vehicles until the weekend. I'll change the ACT sensor tomorrow, just because I have it.

It'll start when you shoot her with fluid? No other running issues? The first thing I was told when mine started acting up was over and over again, "Coolant Temp Sensor" you may be hearing the same things.