1997 Supercab XLT, 4.6L, Auto, 4x2, 75k miles.

Occassionally, like once a week or so, my truck will not start. It turns over fine, but just doesn't light off. If I stab the throttle once while cranking over, it fires right up and acts like nothing was ever wrong.

It's not throwing any codes, runs fine once started, and it seems to be getting reasonable gas mileage (15 mpg) considering my driving style.

The first time it happened, it was bitter cold, so I though maybe something to do with that. But now it has happened in temperatures as high as 40F.

Any thoughts?

 

When was the last time you changed the fuel filter?

 

I bought the truck in July and haven't changed it. The Carfax report showed a fuel system service performed at either 30k or 50k, I can't remember. That was going to be my next shot, figuring that I'd start with the cheap stuff and then move along.

The only thing that makes me think it's not a fuel filter is that it never starves of fuel when I'm running full throttle (pretty much a daily occurrance).

 

Sounds to me like the IAC valve is sticking.

 

You know what, I hadn't thought of that! My buddy's Mustang always used to do that, and he'd have to buy a new one every couple of years. His would only do it when the engine was warm, and would die on him between shifts, or at stop lights, whenever he wasn't giving it gas.