Intermittent no start condition
 

2001 F-150 4.6L V8 140k miles.

Problem started little over a week ago. When it doesn't start it will crank like it wants to start so that should eliminate a starter related problem right? If I stop turn the key to the off position and then retry it will fire right up sometimes this may take 2-3 attempts. There does not seem to be any environmental conditions that cause this as it seems to occur in any type of condition and it does not seem to matter if the truck is cold or not.

Looking for any suggestions as to where to look

Thanks

When was the last time you changed the fuel filter?

Check your Crank Position Sensor. I had the same symptoms with a 97 that I had a few years back. Sometimes it would crank right up. Other times it would take two, three, even four or more attempts. Eventually took it in to the dealer. They diagnosed it as a bad CPS. I had it changed and never had a problem with it again.

Good luck.

have your bypass vaule on the fuel pump checked, my wifes expo had same issue. The bypass valve was allowing the fuel to go back in the tank and not keep the fuel line pressurised. So it would take 3 or more turns for fuel to get to the engine. But once it starts and is running and turn it off and back on will start up right away beacasue like was still pressurzed.

Thanks for the replys.

Fuel filter was changed at 120k. Wouldn't a bad CPS cause the check engine light to come (this has not happened). Will have the relief valve checked, but seems unlikely as if I shut the truck off and try to restart less than 5 min later I sometimes get the no start condition.

Could it be the fuel pump itself, I always thought that the fuel pump is something that just kind of stopped working, not died a slow painful death.

Thanks

20k? It would not hurt to change it again.

My failing fuel pump caused an intermittent no start ...

Who knows what 140k or 120k means? He could be talking kilo's, - didn't fill his info in, -don't know where he's from, so can't go by that lol. Whether it's Miles or Kilometers, you have to service the fuel filter or yes , you can smoke the pump.

Could also be the CID Camshaft sensor which is located at the driverside front cover. It is just below the driverside cam cover. Black sensor with a 8 mm retainer bolt and a wire connection. If this is defective the engine will start ( intermittent) approx 50% of the time.