Looking at buying an '04, 112k miles. Previous service record to go with the car. Problem is that the place that is selling it said it had a starting problem so they replaced the fuel pump (didn't tell me this before I drove 200 miles) but the car still has a problem. When sitting for more than a few minutes the car will crank for what seems like forever (10 sec or sometimes the one touch start times out) but then start and runs fine. If you instantly start it back up it's fine as well.

I initially thought immobilizer but if that was the case i think it'd be consistent, then I thought the fuel system could be losing pressure but would something happen that fast?

What do you guy think? I passed on the car due to the dealer not thinking it is a problem cause it eventually starts but it is still bugging me.

 

As you have mentioned the symptom, it is exactly the behavior of the Engine Im-mobiliser Symptom. It would be better if you could go to the nearest Autozone and get the DTC error codes out, that way you would know the exact symptom. Normally such area points to the Software on the ECM which has got corrupted and you need to re-flash the software again completely on the ECM. This is done by the dealer , but still I reckon if you could throw the codes out and let us know, it would be better.

 

Good thing you passed on the truck. If the dealer can't figure how to fix it, then they aren't worth buying from!

 

Can an immobilizer problem really change from start to start since after sitting it takes a long time vs immediate restart it is fine?

As far as codes there is no CEL and since it happens at start up then is fine I doubt anything is stored but I could be wrong...

Yeah, it's a shame cause the truck was beautiful otherwise and had a full service history plus was a great price, too bad they are lame.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdcPh...eature=related

Cranks just like this except for being a V8, cranks longer, and doesn't struggle to stay running