I have a Ford F150 6 cyl. Sometimes when I start it, runs rough and even kills the engine like it out of gas. All I do is swap tanks (to the back tank) it starts/runs just fine. If I try it on the front tank again and swap to the back before the engines kills it runs fine and after I get going I can swap back to the front tank like nothing happened. Any suggestions.
I hate to bring it in without a shot at it myself, the check engine light is on too. Thanks.

 

You need to read the DTC codes. A 1996 is OBD2, and Autozone will read them free. Go get them read, and then post the exact codes - they are 4 numbers preceded by a "P".

 

The error was P0171, engine running lean, the guy at the store said i should replace the air filter. I removed the cover it was clean, disconnected the battery to clear the error and that seam to work. Did that sound right. Oh and thanks for the autozone tip.

 

Replace air filter for running lean? He does not know what he's talking about - you replace the FUEL filter if anything. You also check for vacuum leaks.

Then again, if you are having tank switching and fuel pump issues, that could trip a lean code, it makes sense.

 

Thanks, I did have a vacuum line that was cracked / broken. I started to change it and it fell a part. I replace 4 line total some with surface cracks. The line that fell a part was on the inside side of the that ever it’s connected to (sorry I have not idea what this is, it's connected between the air filter hose at the manifold). I cleared the code and will do a test run today. Thanks again.