My truck cranks excessively when cold before it will finally start. It started this a month ago and has gotten worse and worse. It has good fuel pressure and holds it when shut off. Pressure comes up with first turn of key. Has a stumble when driving if I slowly push gas pedal after coasting for a few seconds. Feels like an ignition "miss". Has new cap and rotor and only a few thousand on plugs. I first replaced TPS. That didn't fix. I found spark jumping at plug wires. Wetted engine at night and watched while running in gear. I could see some sparking. Replaced wires with Motorsports. Didn't help. After is starts I can shut it off and it will restart easily, but if shut off for 10 minutes or more it is difficult to start. Will hold fuel pressure for 30 minutes or more,.. didn't wait longer than that. Seems to run OK after starting except little stumble. Full throttle seems good. NO CHECK ENGINE CODES. Light NEVER comes on. No memory codes. I did get excessive engine detonation when I did the WOT test during the Engine Running Test. Initial timing set at 11 deg. Always run 92 or 93 octane. Never a problem before. NEED SOME HELP!!! Going to check spark tonight. Looked at it the other night and seemed sporatic and weak while trying to start. I thought new wires would fix. NOT! Sounds like fuel but checked and rechecked pressure. Have replaced fuel filter too! That was first.

 

I'm not an expert on this kind of stuff but here goes. I had the same problem with my wifes car. We spent hours going over everything, finally took a coil from a similar vehicle and she ran fine. It may be a weak coil, since you had all of the arcing, maybe thats it. Like I said I'm not an expert but I hate seeing anyone without a response.

cpnhgnjnky

 

I appreciate the ONE response. Last night I bought a new coil and a new control module. I put the coil on first and my truck starts more quickly than it ever has! I can take the $45 module back. I wanted to tell everyone what fixed the problem and read the "ONE" response and you were exactly right. I thought coils got hot and quit working until they cooled off. I guess it started hardest when the cumbustion chamber was coldest. When you shut it off and restarted it again it seemed OK. Man! am I glad a $15 coil fixed it! Thanks to the "ONE" helpful person on this forum.

 

This is good information. I have NEVER had a coil replacement make a diffence, though I have heard rumors of problems they solved. This is the first, first-hand information I have had.

I think I will replace one or more of mine to see if I can get a faster start.

Winford