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What would cause the engine to sometimes not start when cold on the first try, but fire up and run great on the second try?
Batteries and FICM are good.
Check for a HPOS (high pressure oil system) leak. I had a O-ring go out and it made it difficult to start my truck. Check the tech folder for the procedure to test your HPOS.
With warm oil the ICP reads (via scangauge) 0 cranking, about 580 when it starts and drops back to 0 over a few seconds after shut off. I'll check it cold tomorrow.
The strange thing is I can crank for 4 seconds or 10 seconds and not fire, then cycle the key again and it fires up within 2-3 seconds.
The original FICM had low voltage, so I Installed a new one from Swamps a few weeks ago.The new FICM helped with cold idle and MPG, but did nothing for the no cold start.
Swapped out the glow plug relay yesterday with a used one from an 03 Excursion. Probably take a few days before I know if it helped.
Have you tried cycling the key (like you would when you change fuel filters) prior to actually cranking?
Well, not quite. Sometimes I cycle the key twice (wait for light to turn off each time) before cranking and it starts, but I don't do it all the time so it could be luck of the draw.
I've also had good luck if I wait for the fuel pump to shut off (about 20 seconds) before cranking, but a few times I still had to cycle the key twice.
I think for now I'll cycle the key once to see if the relay made a difference. If that fails to start it on the first try I'll start cycling the key twice every time I start it cold.
Also, this has been going on for a few years now, mostly during the cold months when temperatures drop below 40f at night.
Have you tried cycling the key (like you would when you change fuel filters) prior to actually cranking?
Turning the key to "on" and waiting before "starting" seems to be
the key to me/my vehicle.
COLD engine: If I wait 15-20 seconds before cranking
it'll start up in < 1 second
HOT engine: IF I wait 10-15 seconds it'll start up < 1 second.
I climb in, turn the key to "on", close the door, then put on my
seat belt and it's about time to "start" it.
When the valet or the person moving it @ the Ford dealer
just turns the key to "start" w/o waiting - like it's a gas engine -
it'll crank for 4-5 seconds before it fires.