So I was really hoping to contribute more to the site before asking possibly trivial questions. As fate would have it, however, my 12 year old truck is showing its age. Maybe its just puberty, I think I probably acted the same in my pre-teen years anyways...
So about two or three weeks ago, I had a terrible no start, no fuel issue, and narrowed it down to the Inertia switch. $70 and a two day wait at the dealer just for the switch. A paper clip has donated itself to my cause, until I find a cheaper real alternative. Now, past three days, I have been stranded twice. I can start it once, drive forever with no hiccups, but as soon as i shut it off, it has to sit for quite some time for it to restart. It cranks beautifully, and starts(for half a second) but then shudders to a stop. Like the pump primes it fine, then doesn't keep it alive. I have replaced fuses, swapped relays, checked wire voltages etc. I know how a dying fuel pump usually acts and this is not it, but I will replace it as a LAST resort. I work for the next 4 hours but then i will replace the fuel filter. Like i said, it runs fine every AM when i drive home from work, and runs fine every PM when I go to work. No sputtering or hesitation, but it has to sit like my entire work shift before it will restart.

Im just looking for some of those beautifully wonderful educated guesses you all possess, maybe the regulator, or a vacuum line? As a disclaimer, I have used the search function MANY times over, with no luck. (that's what lead me to 'fix' the inertia switch in the first place..thanks for that!) I apologize for the annoying long post, but really....REALLY appreciate the input.

Also, 2001 V10 4x4 Ex.

 

Pull codes? Fuel filter? Have you checked fuel pressure?

 

There are no codes, Im change the filter in about two hours, also do some pressure tests. So far I just spot check the Schrader valve and I do have pressure

 

That's not good enough for a real diagnosis though. You can have enough pressure to squirt out the schrader valve but not enough to push fuel through the injectors. That's why fuel pressure gauges exist!

Sounds to me like you need to check for pressure at the rail with a gauge.

 

Zero out the gauge put it on valve and turn the key to run. Gauge should register 40ish psi.

 

Is your shifter loose? Sure its in park? Try starting in neutral.

 

yeah, the shifter is loose, but I have tried in neutral, to no avail. i just got home, so now to scrounge around and find that gauge...thanks for the advice so far!

Edit: the issue is not quite as replicable as I thought. the darn thing started up perfectly (I just drove for two hours, so it should be...plenty warm..) The pressure was reading like 43ish and jumped a tad at the throttle blip, just like its supposed to (unless I am mistaken) I still have to go get a filter and swap it as well. I guess I'll have to wait until it acts up again, and take the pressure then...

 

Shifter being loose wouldn't cause that. If it wasn't in park it wouldn't turn over at all...

 

You can read some of my other post to help you. I had this happen as well. Your description sounds exactly the same as mine was. I had my mechanic run the ex for a week with gauges and a computer and it nothing came up. I told him to replace the fuel pump, relay and filter. Knock on wood it hasn't done it since. It sounds like the pump to me.

 

Have you serviced your Idle Air Control valve? We had similar non/hard starting symptoms to what you describe and that was an easy fix. Pull and clean with carb cleaner. Search for IAC.

 

Also, if this happens again (carry a rubber mallet in the truck) bang on the bottom of the fuel tank while someone cranks the trucks over. Sometimes if pump is bad that vibration is enough to cause it to function.

 

Yeah, I've got a mallet with me, people think Im crazy, then laugh, when they see me beating on it. I have also cleaned the IAC just out of habit, gotta love the fords. I suppose Ill just have to run it until the pump gives up. It hasn't acted up since I first posted the other day, hopefully it was the filter, which was filthy.

 

filter mine had same problem and the filter fixed it

 

After i got stranded for a few days, i just replaced the pump. The fuel filter helped but i think in the end it was the pump. Hasn't happened since

 

Still okay? I realize it has just been a few days...

I'm going through the same thing on our '01 F150 w/4.6l, except the frequency of no start failures is much lower (in fact, only twice--once in August that I attributed to really high heat and again this past Friday which resulted in a tow home).