Quick truck stats: 2005 F150, 5.4L, 85,000 miles

The past few weeks my engine has been hesitating on some cranks before it would start. I figured it was due to the cold weather so didn't pay too much attention to it as it was also not throwing the check engine light.

Yesterday it didn't start at all after the several attempts of just cranking over and over. It still didn't seem to trip the check engine light but I pulled my scanner out anyways and it had the code p1237. I cleared it and the truck started right up. It even had no more issues the three times I started the truck after that.

Today, however, she is not starting again and not throwing any codes. Still cranking so I'm sure it's not the started or the battery. I'm going to have my husband pick up some starter fluid on his way home today to see if I can at least get a temporary start since I think it's the fuel pump, or possibly the fuel filter. It is cold again this morning so I'm wondering if the cold is somehow making this issue worse. Either way I'd like to fix it, since being stranded with a truck that doesn't start is not my idea of a way to pass the time.

Anyone have any ideas on what else it might be and how I might be able to diagnose it?

 

I've had this type of symptom before with one of my F-140's that I had in New England. It very well may be some water in the fuel filter that's located under the truck. It's less than 10 microns so that water particles can't pass. When it's warm the water stays in a fluid state and you normally wouldn't notice any problems since there's not much water to begin with however, once that little bit of water freeze's it's now in a solid state. It then can plug up the filter to the point of enough restriction that in a cold start situation, that requires more than usual fuel demand, could render your motor unable to start. Try a wisp of "go fast in a can" (ethyl ether aka starting fluid) into the breather box (where your air filter is) and see if the motor tries to start. If it does you've at least narrowed your problem down to fuel supply.
I hope some of this helps out.
Capt'n

 

So far it hasn't done it again. It started right up on Friday morning and I haven't checked it since then. I bought some starter fluid for the next time it does it but I'm hesitant to think the issue is "gone" just because the truck started with no hesitation issues the last time.

 

I replaced the fuel pump driver module today. The intermittent-ness of this issue was driving me crazy. The old module is was very corroded so I figured I'd be better off replacing it. Besides, after some research I found two things: 1) The 1237 code was for the fuel pump driver module. 2) These things are notoriously bad on F150s because of the crappy design and horrible placement (directly on the cross bar above the spare tire).

So far, after replacement I have no start up issues and she purrs nicely as soon as I turn the key. Only time will tell though since it was an intermittent issue. I'll post back up in a few days to see if this actually fixed the problem.

 

Seems you've found your issue.
Time to do the Happy Dance!

Capt'n