Weird start up issue

I went to start my truck today before leaving, cranked it and it started like normal and I walked away to go do what I was doing and I got like 3 steps away from it before it turned off. Cranked it again, and it turned on and turned off instantly. Tried a 3rd time and it cranked but did not turn on, but did not let it crank for more than 2 seconds. 4th time, crank and pressed gas peddle, on for split second and a pop and off. Stopped there and let it sit in fear of making it worse.

No dash lights. Popped the hood, nothing looked out of place. Just a little dirty from the last forest trip last week. Checked the air filter to see maybe if it was clogged, but nope pretty clean. Did a quick google, and was looking through suggestions when I read it maybe some relay or fuse that failed so to try and hold the key in the crank position and see if it stays on and dies when key goes to regular on position. Well I tried that, and it worked, stayed on and I could here the starter still spinning so I let it go after maybe like 5 seconds. It stayed on.

I wasn't going very far so I drove there and back, left it on, with no issues. I tried to see if stumbling or rough at idle, over thought probably because I was looking for something, but it's fine. Drove to car wash to get all the mud off, turned on no problem. Was still warm.

Going to try it again tomorrow after 24hrs and see what happens. This has me worried because even if it starts fine tomorrow, this came out of nowhere, I haven't had a single issue in the 8 months I've had it. I really only use this truck for camping trips (or today quick trip where I needed the bed), and some times we go in pretty deep. Having this happen there and I would have shit my pants.

Anything like this ever happen to any one of you? Advice on things to follow up on? I don't really want to just leave it as is, but with it running fine, and no check engine light I don't know where to start.

 

Check the fuel pump resistor.
It operates on High while starting, then goes to low after it starts.
That’s where I’d start.

 

My 08 does the same thing, but it seems to happen when I leave the keys in the ignition after shutting it off but doesn't happen all the time. If I take the key out it seems to help and when it happens I take the key out and what a few seconds before I try and restart. If I keep trying to start it acts like its flooding and after it finally starts you can smell fuel burning off. IDK need help with this also.

 

How do I test the resistor? Any idea of what it's suppose to read? Just spent the last hr googling and everyone says to bypass it and see if it turns on, but my truck turns on anyways.

Well I do leave the key in the ignition, sometimes days at a time. But the thing is I've always done that, and it's never done this.

 

I read some where the ignition switch goes bad if you leave a lot of keys (heavy) hanging in the switch but I only have 1 key and the fob, but idk what prev owner did. I hope some one on here can help because mine will be fine for weeks and then out of no where it happens.

 

Nvm the testing resistor question, finally was able to find a FSM online.

 

Need more info on your last trip. Like did you submerge your truck? Was it a dry trail? Etc etc

 

Like TNShooter said check fuel pump. It sounds like it could be a failing fuel pump. How many miles are on the truck? I would want to know what my rail pressure is while cranking. If the ECU was shutting it down because of a sensor or relay, I would think you would have seen a check engine light. Just my two cents.

 

Did not submerge, but there was some snow and mud.

It’s at 176k. I’ll look into testing the fuel pump. Unfortunately I don’t know how to do this stuff so it takes a lot of googling and YouTube to get an idea of what your talking about.

 

So I took off the fuel pump resistor and it has resistance. Whether it’s the correct resistance, I don’t know, I only have the free harbor freight multimeter and it doesn’t not read close to the values actually needed.

Well reinstalled that, turn the truck on. Let it idle for 5 minutes, seemed fine. Drove around the block. Seemed fine.

In a weird way I kind of wish it didn’t so I could get to the bottom of it and have the peace of mind.

 

I hear you. The hardest problem to fix is one that eludes you every time you're expecting it. You may want to watch this,
I would want to know what my fuel pressure is before doing more diagnostics. I believe it should be 40/41 psi. If it's low, then we know to start checking fuel pump relays, resistors, regulators, voltage at the pump, and the pump itself. If pressure is good, then we shouldn't waste anymore time on it and move to the next possibility.