I am new to this site and I like what I have seen so far. I need to get some advice. For the past month I have had problems starting my truck. I will try to start it and all the engine will do is rotate. If I step on the gas pedal on the second try it starts up. This happens to me at least once a day. The rest of the time in the day it starts up fine. It is a 97 F150 with the 4.6l and it has 85,000 miles on it. Can someone out there send me thier suggestion. I would greatly appreciate it.

 

The computer controls the fuel injector pulses so i'm not sure if stepping on the gas is really doing anything. When's the last time the wires were replaced? Has it been damp out? I had similar trouble with my truck, i would have to crank it a few times to get it to start when it was damp, turns out the wires were arcing even though they were relatively new.

-Jon

 

Ford4Ever,

It's been a while since last replacement of plugs and wires. I have heard to stick with Motorcraft plugs. Who do recomend on plug wires? Also, I have had the fuel filter being replaced, in that it may be the prob. It has been damp here latley. It has rained at least one or two days a week for a few weeks. Thanks for the advise.

 

I've always used Bosch wires without a problem.

-Jon

 

Where are you stationed at in KY?

I have heard of other members having the same problem. I can't remember the exact cause or the fix if they found one. Do a search on starting and you might find something.
If I had to guess at it, I would say it's sensor problem or in the EVAP system. I assume this only happens after the truck has set a great while. Maybe the fuel system is lossing pressure and it takes several tries to start. If it was a bad ignition switch or something mechanical you would think it woudl do it everytime.