I am having a strange problem..here goes.. my truck will start right up in the mornin and I drive a half mile to the store, shut it off, come back out and crank it. it fires for a split second and dies.. dont matter how long you crank it, it seems to take about 10 minutes before it will start again. today it died while running, pretty much the same thing. I changed the fuel filter, as it acts like its a fuel problem ??

 

What model, year and engine? During that 10 minutes before it will start, you need to test and see if you are getting spark through the spark plug wires while cranking the engine. May be an ignition problem.

 

97 f250 5.8 I,ll check the next time it does it, its happened 3 times in 2 months, and so far just early in the morning. today was the first time while pulling away from a stop sign, so its getting worse. I don't mind 10 or 15 minutes in a parking lot. but the center of the street ,not so much

 

Yep...shes got spark...Oh Yea..lol

 

What color is the spark? Should be a nice big fat bluish/white arc. Anything else means the ignition is weak.

The next thing to check for is fuel pressure at the rail when the truck is working and when it is not. rent a fuel pressure gauge from an auto part store.

 

Its not a weak spark, Zaped me pretty good with gloves.
I am thinking the pressure regulator is my next move, but the symtoms don't seem to match.
I'm almost positive it's a fuel thing..
could it be the idle control valve??
I'll see if i can find a gauge..
Money is tight in this weather.

 

Exactly why I stated to rent one. Do not start throwing parts at it, diagnose the problem.

 

I never got around too running a fuel pressure test yet.. they don't rent them here.. But , I did switch the relay out with horn relay, and , so far all is well.
If this holds true it will be the cheapest repairs ever..hope this helps others in search of a answer on the computer.

 

Thanks for reporting back with the resolution. Glad to see your truck is up and running again.

 

just for the sake of information for later, the idle air control valve (IAC valve) wont cause it to do what yours was. it will make your engine search like crazy for that sweet spot for an idle. while its "hunting" as its called, it can stall out.

 

I know $20 can be a lot of cash to drop when money's tight (I've been there a few times!) but if you ever do need a cheap fuel pressure gauge, Harbor Freight has this one:

Fuel Pressure Tester & Fuel Injection Pump Tester

It's on sale a lot, I have one and it does fit our trucks. I had to use thread sealer on the gauge fitting but for $20 I don't really give a damn. Only thing that sucks is there's no valve to bleed off pressure when you're done, you just have to unscrew it and let it **** a bit. Just don't do it when the engine's hot and it'll be fine.

 

I have a '79 Firebird that started to do that once. The module inside the distributor had gone bad and would fail after heating up. (I forget exactly what it's called.)

After cooling down for 15 to 20 minutes it would fire right up.