My truck won't start after returning from a 10-day trip. Cranks fine, feels like it wants to start every so often but doesn't. Have had this truck for a few months and at first it started very good, last few weeks has turned over a bit longer but always started and ran well. Did experience some missing/lack of power towards the end of engine warm up but always went away and ran fine after warmed up. Has been idling VERY high last couple months until warm also. Only codes were for ECT so changed that but still no start. Fuel pump cycled for 2 seconds, checked spark at top of cap and seems kinda weak....orange color. Have not tried starting fluid and have not replaced any parts other than the ECT. Cap and rotor are older, but not visibly wet. The weather here is colder by about 20deg than when I last started the truck. Was 45-50deg and now is down to 30deg. Previous owner said he had the timing chain and fuel pump replaced recently. Has 2 tanks and will not start on either tank. It is a secondary vehicle that I bought cheap and don't want to go crazy with parts....any help would be greatly appreciated. I have tools and am somewhat able to work on vehicles, no Master Tech by any means. When running the truck runs very strong and has 99,000 miles and manual trans....base model.

 

edit to add: Also has code for IAT Sensor. Will check into replacing that tomorrow and will try some starting fluid and report back.

 

A cold engine may give the KOEO IAT & ECT codes.

You might change the fuel filter as it sounds like it may be runing lean.

 

Thanks so much for the reply subford......I will grab a fuel filter when I go to the parts store. They have the IAT in stock and I can easily replace it, do you know if they commonly fail......and would it cause a No Start? May go ahead with the cap and rotor instead, and the fuel filter.

 

Check the coil. Had same problem and it woukdnt start cold, but would when warm.

 

UPDATE - Replaced the Cap and Rotor and the truck started. The old parts didn't really look that bad.....but were probably due to be replaced anyway.

--NOW THE ENGINE MISSES pretty badly under acceleration from low RPM. Used to miss just a little bit as the engine was almost warmed up but was fine cold and after warmed up completely. If I keep the RPM up the power seems fine and it runs OK.....but if I try to accelerate from lower RPM it misses and cuts out. I am not sure how old the plug wires are.....they are gray and have the cylinder numbers on them.....wonder if they are the originals? The truck has 97,320 miles on it so I guess it's possible. Going to look into replacing the plugs and wires and running some injector cleaner in the tank (I have an injector cleaning tool for shop air, but will try the fuel additive style first I think....) Appreciate the responses to this thread so far. Have not rechecked for codes since I got it running and drove it....no CEL light at this time.

 

LOL - Was reading up around the site and came up with a couple different firing orders for the 1994 5.0L so I went out to look at the truck and found the sticker that shows the correct firing order and the proper plug wire routing. As I mentioned before the plug wires have the cylinder # on them so I decided to check and be sure that I didn't install any of them wrong when I replaced the cap.....found them all in the correct location but did notice something kind of funny.....the PLUG WIRES HAVE 1994 PRINTED ON THEM!!! 19 years old!!! I have only had the truck for a few months and find it hard to believe that nobody has ever replaced the plug wires, makes me wonder what the plugs look like. The last owner had the truck for 9 years and said that it always ran good for him, and it did for me until very recently. Got new plugs and wires yesterday and just waiting for the sun to clear the mountain and I will go out and replace them. Hopefully it will solve my engine miss problem, certainly no point in looking at any other components until these are replaced. Will update this later today.

 

Truck is running perfectly again!! Replaced plugs with MotorCraft and replaced plug wires also. Wires replaced and routed back in OEM clips and attached to cap following diagram on this site (which matched the under hood sticker). Starts, idles and runs beautifully. Will go ahead with some in tank injector cleaner, maybe Seafoam as it works fantastic in my outboards...? Thanks everyone!!