I've owned the truck for a month. 2 weeks ago the truck died when I was taking a turn on a smooth road. I had a passenger in the passenger side. The truck would turnover but not start at first. I kept trying and after letting it sit for 5 mins, it started back up but then died when I put it in gear and took my foot off the break. I tried to start it again, and it fired right up. I immediately replaced the fuel filter, cleaned the mas airflow sensor and added fuel injector cleaner. Everything seemed fine. 2 days later, with a passenger in the truck and after running errands, with multiple it randomly would not start again. I waited 10 minutes and it started fine.

Fast forward to yesterday. For 2 weeks there have been no issues. I drove to work alone, no problem. I had a meeting in the afternoon which I took my coworkers with me and it wouldn't start. It finally started, put it in gear, backed it up and it died again. For ten minutes it turned over but did not start. Everyone got our of the truck, I tried it again and it started no problem. I put it in gear and it died. Then I tried it again and it started up and drove fine. Since yesterday I've had no issues.

I wonder if it's the inertia shut off switch. The connection looks fine. Can the switch slowly go out over time?

Thank you for your help!

Brenden

 

When you turn on the key you should hear the fuel pump run for 2 seconds, listen for it.
Next time there is a No Start, listen for it, it isn't quiet.
You can turn the key off and on as many times as you want, won't hurt anything, fuel pump should run for 2 seconds each time key is turned on.
Yes, if inertia switch was the problem fuel pump won't come on.

But no, that would not be a symptom of a bad inertia switch, they either work or don't, without resetting them, it wouldn't start working again after sitting.

Outside of a failing fuel pump, which can be intermittent, are there any other clues?
Anti-theft light normal?
It does disable fuel if tripped

Dash lights and gauges still working after engine dies?
So power is not being cut

I guess the quickest way to find a direction would be a 50/50 test
Get a spray can of Quick Start(ether)
Next time you have a no start, pull off Power brake booster hose(or PCV hose) and spray some into the intake.
Put hose back on and try to start engine
If it fires up and dies then fuel is your problem.
If it doesn't fire up then it is the spark that is not working.
50/50

If you don't hear the fuel pump when key is turned on then that would be the problem.
Next step would be to use a test light on the inertia switch, since you know where that is.
Ground the test light and hold the other contact on either wire on inertia switch.
Turn on the key, light will glow a bit
Then get bright for 2 second and then dim again, that means power is going to fuel pump and if you don't hear it then pump is bad.
Could be a wire but 99.9% of the time it is the pump.

If light doesn't get bright then replace the Fuel Pump relay, in engine fuse box.
Standard relay, costs about $6

 

My buddy had one do that and he said the fuel pump relay that was his problem.

 

Thank you both for the replies and advice! I'm going to replace the fuel pump relay and hopes this helps. I'll also keep a can of quick start in the truck in the event it happens again.

The fuel pump does kick on when I turn the key so I don't that's it. And power is working on all fronts and no warning dash lights coming on, only at start up like normal.

I had the guys at autozone plug in their computer I had no codes pop up.

Thanks again! I really appreciate the help from you both.

Brenden

 

Well you have to wait for a No Start situation to listen for the fuel pump to come on.

Long shot would be CKP(crank position) sensor, it is located behind the crank pulley, on timing chain cover about the 10:00 position.
These rarely fail and when they do engine won't start and they usually don't start working again, but.................

If you CAN hear the fuel pump but engine still won't start, then open the hood and tap on the CKP sensor, then try starting again.