I've got a 2007 F250 with 52k miles. For the last couple of thousand miles it occassionally sputters when cold at startup. Sometimes it is very slow off the line and will hesitate before ramping up rpms. Last week the check engine light came on. The only code present is P2617 (crank sensor). A couple of times when starting up with the check engine light on the truck hesitates and will shut off completely. After trying to start a couple of times it will start and run normally.

Anybody know what might be causing this? Could the error code be related to the rough starting and hestitations?

 

p2617 can cause all of it. If the ckp signal is not right the truck wount start. If it does start it may act erratic.
possible causes wiring, ckp sensor, pcm,ficm, or failing tone ring (one non servicalbe pice of the front of the crankahaft).
you need the ckp signal to both start and run.