I have a 99 superduty with 120K. I drove it about 80 miles stopping once. The truck wouldn't start after I shut it off. Figured it was the fuel filter so I had it towed home. Changed it, ran fine. Two months later drove it 30 miles shut it off for about 20 minutes, wouldn't start. It would fire for about a second and then nothing. So I went to the auto parts store thinking it was another fuel filter , took me about 30 minutes to walk there and come back with the part. Tried to start it and it fired right up without me doing anything mechanical. Now it has had a complete tune up (plugs, wires, air filter and so on). Can anyone put me in the right direction? It is not showing a check engine light.

 

Welcome to FTE. Just because you don't have a check engine light doesn't mean there aren't any codes stored in the computer. You may have some soft codes stored in there that may give you a hint. I'd get the truck scanned.

Also be sure you check your battery cables for any loose connections or corrosion. Don't forget to check the ground and starter solenoid relay end. If it does this again you might also try banging on your starter or solenoid. The starter may be on it's way out (but don't spend any money on that one yet.)

 

Do you hear the fuel pump cycle each time it does not start? Maybe the fuel pressure is low or the pump is not always starting.

 

Sounds like a fuel pump to me.

 

I don't have a starter or battery problem (it turns over with no problem). Could the fuel pump be on and off again? I know if there is a drop in 2 pounds of pressure it won't start, so maybe I'll get it scanned and test the fuel pump for pressure.

 

Were these trips made in hot conditions? Sounds a lot like vapor lock to me.

 

You can have low pressure and the truck will still run. The engine only needs full pressure for full performance..Pumps get hot and fail at times. You have to listen for the 3 second on with key on to hear if its spinning or not..


Dick

 

Could be ignition related as well.

When the truck fails to start, do you have fuel press.?

Sounds like somethings getting hot and failing, then working correctly after a cool down period?

 

Well the fuel pump was not coming on. Dealer said it shouldn't be the relay because that relay operates the power windows, which were still working fine. So I figured since it has 122K the pump has to be replaced. Long story short it's changed. It surprisingly was pretty easy. Thanks for the input this site is the greatest thing, tons of info. right at your fingertips!

 

No its a separate relay and they usually don't fail its the pump that usually goes...
Goodluck.