Help! Starting problem

[wesmcbride]

I have a 2000 4.0 automatic with 46,000 miles. I live in Maryland where it has been in the upper teens temp in the morings.

The problem: I go to start the truck up in the mornings and it turns over and the rpm's hit 1000 and it dies. I crank it again but give it gas let sit revving around 3000 for a minute, it dies again. One more time, but put it in drive while it has some gas and it goes fine and I don't have any problems the rest of the day.

What is going on? Two days in a row... Any help?

 

[Earl43P]

Try putting the key to Run, wait 3 seconds while the fuel pump runs, turn key to OFF.
Repeat 3X, then crank the starter. If that helps, keep doing that and schedule a fuel filter replacement (they seep at the fittings) or expect to replace the fuel pump someday. It has a checkvalve that goes bad, letting the fuel pressure drop off.

Might also clean the IAC, since it controls idle (or replace it).

 

[97ranger4x4]

Yeh the other thing you may want to check is the fuel pressure regulator. If it goes bad it would not keep fuel pressure at the rail which is why cycling the fuel pump on and off(turning the key into the run position and then back off a few times) would help the situation. I believe to check to see if it is working is to find the FPR, then take the small little vaccume line off. if there is fuel in that line, then it is bad and needs to be replaced. I think you have the OHV 4.0 so the FPR will be on the passangers side of the engine compartment right on the fuel rail towards the front of the motor. hope that helps!

 

[LearjetMinako]

Fuel Filter, Fuel Pressure Regulater, Idle Air Control. Those are very good places to start. Most likely I'm betting its the Idle Air Control screwing up. One way to check that is to turn the A/C on and see if the engine revs up a little.

 

[wesmcbride]

Thanks. I tried the turning it to run a couple times before starting...it still died, after sitting outside for about 6 hours. Gave it gas while it turned and it was fine.

I turned the AC on while it was in park...the rpms went from about 900 to 1100, is that a sign that the IAC is wrong?

Thanks again.