Will not stay started

ALEXIS MCFALL

MEMBER
2001 FORD EXPEDITION
4.6L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

Okay, so for the last few months about four months I would say I have had a hard time starting my truck. If I give it gas it usually starts right up at least lately. I used to not have to give it gas it would just start up the first try no problems at all, but since about Halloween night it won't stay started unless I give it gas and usually works at the first or second try. But occasionally it doesn't work at all. I don't know if it won't hold RPM or it just won't hold an idle, but the little RPM gauge drops every time. Sometimes it'll stay sometimes it won't. I seem to have the most issues if I'm parked at any sort of tilt or angle if I'm parked in a completely flat area there's no problem it starts and it stay started, but if I'm a hill or a slant in any way I have to get it gas to start and sometimes that doesn't even work.

1 Reply

BMDOUBLE

MECHANIC
1,139 POSTS

A common issue with these vehicles is that the fuel pump is mounted at the rear of the tank and if the vehicle is parked mode down a hard or no start condition is common, especially if there is less than 1/4 of fuel in the tank. Another common issue is PCV hoses collapsing and splitting, causing a massive vacuum leak and thus making the vehicle stall at idle. And of course a sticking idle air control valve. A tap on the valve sometimes brings it back to life and a removal and a spray with carburetor cleaner usually resolves that issue. Hopes this helps! 26 years at a Ford dealer and I’ve seen a lot of these!