96 F-250 5.8 dual tank
I'll explain this the best I can as it's my step dad's vehicle. Wish I knew if there were more symptoms...

About two weeks ago, he was driving the truck and it ran fine. Parked it for about 30 min and tried to start it with no luck. He switched fuel tanks and it ended up starting fine.

A week afterwards, he started it and took off but only made it about a block and it died. Couldn't get it started and had to tow it home.

So here is where I come in. I put 5 gal of gas in the rear tank. Both fuel filters kick on with key on ignition off. I thought the switch for the fuel tanks may be bad so I temporarily exchanged the switches with this and my other 93 ford. Still won't start. When I first tried starting it, the truck would just crank. I sprayed some starter fluid into the throttle body and it would try to start but chug really hard. So I ran out of time and let it sit a day or two. This morning I tried to start it (from either tank) and it would roll over/'start' and die before I could even give it gas. Whether I have my foot on the go button or not, it still rolls over, kind of wants to start, then decides not to. I have not pulled the codes yet plan to as soon as I get around to it, hopefully in the morning. I thought I'd get this thread started though and see if anyone had any suggestions. I unfortunately don't have a lot of time to work on it so the quicker, the better. I'd also like to save my step dad some time and money if possible. I'll mention that I am mechanically inclined and have done my fair share of engine diagnostics/repairs/replacements. I just have a hard time fixing a vehicle that 'died and won't start' and am hoping this has come up before. I apologize for being difficult...

Thanks ahead of time.

Chris

 

Yea pull the codes for sure, check the fuel pressure with a gauge, if good, I would start thinking electrical.

 

Update:

Turned out, it was the distributor cap. Strange considering I replaced the cap back about 5-10k miles ago and also that the truck would fire up for 1 second then die. Either way, that fixed it.