Emergency help, won't start!!!!!
 

Hi all,
I have a 1999 4.6 V8. My step-daughter borrowed my truck and got it loaded up with stuff as they are selling their house, now it won't start.

Story is it would run a little and the gas pedal seemed to keep it running, but it eventually wouldn't start at all. Cranks over great, but doesn't seem to fire. Seems like it could be a fuel problem, fuel pump? It has 130,000 miles. I assume it is the original fuel pump. I was guessing could be the distributor or something causing it to not fire, but doesn't seem likely based on what happened. Didn't look like a normal distributor type system to me.

I thought I would get my ODBII reader and see if there are any error codes. Any help is much appreciated.

Keith

ever change the fuel filter? thats where I'd start.. then fuel pressure test..

Yeah, my first thought was fuel filter too, seems the easiest thing. Just wondering if some others have run into this symptom.

when you turn on the ignition...keep it on and look on the gauge cluster and see if the "THEFT" light is flashing rapidly or not. what it should do is illuminate solid then go out after a few seconds. that means it recognizes the code coming from the key. if it blinks rapidly, that means the PATS system doesnt recognize the key code. ive seen these lose the code at times and they need to be reprogrammed.

worth looking into as well as the fuel issue.

First check the fuel emergency shut off switch reset button. She may have backed into something during the move.

How do you do a fuel pressure test? Sounds like a good idea, if it isn't too difficult.

Go to Autozone and borrow a fuel pressure gauge with a Ford adapter on their "loan a tool" program. Connect it to the Schrader valve on the fuel rail and turn the key on. You need at least 28 psi.

First off can you hear the fuel pump run when you first turn the key to the on position?

I am following this thread. My 01 w/ 5.4 is doing the exact same thing. My theft light is doing what it is supposed to, and I just changed the filter. I suppose fuel pressure test is next. The only way my truck will stay running is if I keep giving it foot feed.

have u checked the spark plugs,is it showing a code?
 

if its not throwing codes then its not a senser its machanical check the spark plugs, coil pack boots, fuel fillter, fuel pump,:coffee: first.

Check/clean/replace the IAC.

if the truck will run with "foot feed" its probably not the pump itself... hey anyone feel like tackling a wacky question I just posted it, titled HELP please... check it out if your bored..

Short update. I went with the OBDII reader and read no codes. I thought that I'd crank it over and see if it told me anything else. The damn thing started and ran fine. Drove it home and have used it once since then. I will probably change the filter and see how it goes. Guess could also be electrical connection to the fuel pump? That would more likely be an obvious intermittent. Will try to see if I can get the pressure test done. Thanks all and I'll report any new news. Be curious to know what you found Trip99.

I have a 2001 F-150 with a 5.4L it will crank fine but not start I can crank it for a few sec and I hear a gergle and try agian same thing but if I try before I hear the gergle it will start and run fine all day for a few days and then it all starts over. can anyone point me in the right direction.

Throttle position sensor has deveolped a dead spot. Happens. Easy fix.

Brad