Hey ya'll, Is this common?

I have this problem with my 05 F150 Lariat SCAB V8 just about every year. This truck has approximately 50K on it, with the factory alternator, battery, spark plugs, and serpentine. None seem corrupt. Anyway, the problem is that every once in awhile it won't fire over. It will turn over and turn over but not fire up. I'll turn the key off and try it again and then whammo, instant firing up. WTF. Doesn't happen all the time but seems to occur when it gets moist in the air or cold out.

I thought of a couple things but seem to rule them out.

1. Battery - Seems logical that this is not it due to lack of occurrence
2. Air filter - doesn't seem logical because I don't over spray the lubricant for the K&N drop in.


Driving me crazy, cause it occurs every 100 cranks or so.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

do you do anything different when the issue happens? (pushing throttle to floor, cranking it over more or less than normal, priming or not priming the fuel pump, etc) does it make a difference on different weather conditions/temp?

 

Keep in mind after 5 seconds of cranking, the PCM will shut down the injectors to protect the cats. You have to wait that out or pull the PCM fuse to reset or disconnect the battery for a bit .

Sounds like a classic injector issue or the regulator is going out. You injectors a warrantied for 100,000 miles. Take it in and get them changed, you don't want a diagnostics, just the injector update. It should be free.

 

Nothing different. No excessive cranking, throttle to the floor, or priming. The weather does seem to play a part. Seems like it is always overcast or chilly before this occurs.

 

That is one thing I did think of but forgot to write in. Was wondering if my fuel injectors were in need of a cleaning. But if figured the lack of starting right up would be more consistent. It only appears sporadic and coincidentally relevant to the weather pattern.

Probably should get em cleaned anyhow. Can't hurt.

 

It's not due to being dirty. The 2005 models had bad injectors. That's why Ford extended the warranty on them. When they start to leak, flooding the motor can occur. Your at the beginning stages IMO. This can also lead to other problems. If it were me , I would get it looked at. Actually I would check myself like this -

Remove all the fuel rail hold downs then lift the rail with the injectors still attached (disconnect electrial connectors first). Turn the key ON to pressurize the fuel system but DO NOT crank the engine. Then simply look at the tips for leakage.

 

I have a 5.4 3v 05' year F150. Don't know if this was what helped but I'll put it here anyway. I also had occas. hickups where it didn't want to fire up, usually after letting it set some after the initial start up and shut down for the day. I've found that if you don't turn the key good, it's more prone to not starting. I hit the starter good to make sure it turns over good. I use to pop the key sometimes thinking it should fire right up. My truck didn't like this at all. Also, for the past 30k miles I've been running a bottle of Techron Pro-Guard(the 20 gallon fill up bottle) the tank before every oil change, every 3k miles. B/n that and keeping the fuel filter changed at every 15k, I don't see this issue any more. I'll be honest though, if it gives me any significant signs the injectors are acting up, I'm getting all 8 changed, end of story. So far got 56k and no problemo.

 

Great advice, I'll check this weekend.

 

Never really messed with the Starter, just gave it a second ot two after cranking it over and tried again. Generally, it started right up on the second or third try.

Also, it's about time to have my fuel filter replaced. I'll add it to my list of "To Dos"

 

My 05 5.4 just started acting up last week, 44k on it. It's just acting like it's not getting gas on crank, even if I wait a second after KO for the pressure to ramp up. If it's cranking and I nudge the gas a bit, it'll fire finally, sometimes sputters. Runs great once it's on though. I was going to change the filter this weekend to rule that out, is the injector thing a pretty common issue (TSB/Recall)? I've only had the truck a couple months, it's out of the CPO 3k warranty of course by a couple thousand miles.