Well, I am not a mechanic, so I can only guess.
It would seem you are not getting any fuel to the cylinders. If you
were and it was not lighting off, I would think you should smell fuel at
the exhaust. It may have run for a couple of minutes because fuel was
available for a while, but was not being replenished.
Overall, I would have to think something intermittent, like your
problem, could be caused by moisture getting into some component. Since
there might be several possibilities, I would try to think of something
I could install on the truck, at least temporarily, to check out
different systems. Maybe a pressure gauge for the fuel rail. Maybe one
of the scanners that work while you drive.
Getting it to run after several attempts at starting, may be allowing a
switch or component or connector to dry out either from heat, or the
electrical current going through it. If it always happens at about the
same outside air temperature, maybe there is some type of engine control
that is supposed to control during certain starting situations and it is
malfunctioning. Try to think of things ahead of time, so the next time
it occurs, you can at least check one system or component.
During your pre-takeoff checklist, do you remember the shutdown being
associated with anything you did at the exact same time? I don't think
buckling a seat belt would cause it, but there is an electrical connection.
Of course, you said you have a fairly new battery. Did the problem ever
occur with the older battery? Maybe something in the way it was
installed has allowed for a poor connection.
Clark
carkenord@juno.com wrote:
> I have a 2001 F250 SD, with gas V8, 5 speed stick, 4x4. It has 42,273
> miles. Truck has not been modified in any way. Totally OEM stock.
> I bought it new, it's a 1 owner truck.
>
> I experienced a problem today.
>
> Truck hadn't been started for maybe 3 days. Temp was abt. 55. It
> started normally, and as I was getting settled in, doing seat belt,
> etc......it just died. Suddenly. Didn't run rough or anything, just
> died like key had been turned off. I tried to re-start it. Starter
> turned engine VERY strongly...but engine would not start. It would not
> sputter or fart or anything. But the new battery installed in August
> sure would spin the engine. OK......so I wiggle gear-shift lever, pump
> the clutch, wiggle the ignition key, turn the ignition key to its
> various positions. Still would only spin engine, but no start. So I
> just sit there for a couple minutes....and repeat the above procedure.
> Same results. I did this routine 4-5 times over the period of maybe
> 10-12 minutes. I never exited truck, never lifted hood. Suddenly, for
> no reason that was obvious, it started just like normal, and quickly
> settled into it's normal smooth idle. I drove to the store, ran
> various other errands. No problem, all seemed normal.
>
> So now it seems that I have a $20,000 vehicle that can at any point
> leave me or my wife stranded. I must classify it as an unreliable and
> unpredictable truck at this point. I buy all my trucks _NEW_ so
> hopefully I don't ever have an unpredictable, unreliable truck to deal
> with. Yes.....I am unhappy.
>
> Has anyone here ever experienced anything similar? Any comments or
> suggestions?
>
> Thank you.... Lee Carkenord Denver Co.
>
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