MY 97 FORD F150 4X4 WITH THE SMALLER 8 CYCLINDER IS REALLY STARTING TO **** ME OFF. I HAVE ROUGHLY 98,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE AND JUST HAD THE 100,000 TUNE UP A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. HERE IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK, IT HAS BEEN A COLD WINTER AND MY PATIENCE IS GROWING THIN. ON VERY COLD DAYS(BELOW 15) MY TRUCK WILL NOT START WITH THE AUTOMATIC STARTER OR MANUALLY. USUALLY I HAVE TO WAIT A COUPLE OF HOURS AND THEN TRY IT AGAIN. IT USUALLY STARTS RIGHT UP AT THAT POINT. I HAVE A NEW BATTERY, HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT GASES AND ADDITIVES. PLEASE HELP BEFORE I TRADE IN MY BABY AND BUY A CHEVY.....CONFUSED IN BUFFALO...

 

Hi cuffinyou and welcome to FTE

When it doesn't start what happens? Does it crank normally and just not fire? Does anything help when you try to start it? Jumper cables? Holding the throttle to the floor? When you did the tune-up did you replace spark plugs? Fuel filter?

 

DAVE, IT CRANKS BUT DOES NOT FIRE. WHEN I GOT THE TUNEUP, THE FUEL FILTER AND PLUGS WERE CHANGED. THEY PUT PLATINUM PLUGS IN.. I HAVE TRYED TO PUT THE GAS DOWN, BUT IT STILL WON'T GO IF IT'S REALLY COLD...

 

I think it might be time to take it and get the PCM scanned for codes. I'm thinking you might have an ECT (engine coolant temperature) sensor problem. Might also want to leave the truck overnight so the fuel pressure etc can be checked when it's cold. I know that's inconvenient but sometimes it's the only way to get it fixed.

p.s. Typing with CAPSLOCK on is considered yelling

 

this may sound stupid,but it works for some people and its free.Turn the key on,do not try to start,wait 5-7 seconds,key off,back on 5-7 secs,and so on.do that 4-5 times,then try to start it.