First post, long time reader.

I've got a 94 F150 4x4 XLT (5.0L) that won't start sometimes. A couple of days ago it died while going down the road.

It starts anytime it's completely cold.

If run long enough to warm it up, it may or may not start. It seems to be worse on warm days.

When it won't start, it turns over fine. Sounds like it's not getting fuel, but after five minutes or so, you can smell fuel (like it was flooded).

Things that I've tried:

Ether: Usually doesn't work (but it has twice on different occasions).

Ignition module (I think this is what it's called, the module on the driver's side fender). -- Tested at Autozone

Distributor cap + rotor bug -- Replaced

It gets spark at the distributor wire.

Removed air handler from throttlebody to make sure it was getting air.

The only fix that works is time. 30-45 minutes after it won't start, it runs fine.
I'm at a loss on this one. Not sure where to go next.

 

Possibly the PIP inside the distributor.

 

Thanks for the lead glc!

I did some research on the pip sensor, and it turns out this truck has a SPOUT jumper (SPark OUTput). From what I can tell if it won't start, removing the spout jumper will let it run, just not as efficiently. I managed to reproduce the issue where it wouldn't start, and removed the jumper and it started right up. I put the jumper back in, and it wouldn't start.

I think I'm finally on the right track, but can you tell me for sure that if the spout jumper let's it run that it's the pip sensor?