Odd Starting Issue - Engine Starts for 1-2 sec but then shuts off then just cranks but no start

Ok so this is an odd issue yesterday afternoon. Looking to go out. I had my son start the truck (2007 5.7l Crew max SR5) up in around 45-50 deg F weather sunny to heat the truck up. So it started up just fine got it up to normal engine temp in around 4-6 min. And had my son turn it off. BTW the fuel tank is around 1/4 and the truck front hood is facing downhill on a incline on my driveway. (not sure if this makes a difference - as I have started like this many many times)

Then around 20 min later I was ready to go so came out and cranked the engine. I got these symptoms

1. Engine cranks up 1-2 seconds no prob. but shut off. I thought hmm well that is odd
2. Cranked it again and just saw the starter engaged cranking the engine but engine not starting (this happened for like 5 sec before I stop it with the key)
3. Cranked the engine up again with key and engine again starts up but dies in 2-3 seconds
4. Then right away I crank again and number 2 happens again - Starter engages cranking the engine but no engine response.

Immediately I think this is a fuel issue.. but not have time to Troubleshoot further as I was going out I left it and took another car.

Then came back at night in around maybe 40 deg F at night. I start the engine and it does the same thing where - engine starts but dies in 2 sec. I crank it again and its starts right up and runs like nothing is wrong with it. I drove it around the block the engine heats up to normal temp and find no problems. One odd thing I did notice.. just once I was monitoring the coolant temp (which was at almost half) gauge and when I really drove the engine 3-4k to see if it works as it should I noticed the coolant temp drop to 1/4 and come back up to half. Which I thought was odd.

Anyways anyone have any clue as to why this is happening. I have yet to go out and crank the truck and see if it cranks up normally. But I shall report back.

 

I would definitely start with the simple stuff first. That would be eliminating the possibility of a flaky key (see if a different key behaves better), have your battery load tested, and be sure your battery cables are clean and tightly connected.

 

I would add fuel... my fuel gauge would get jammed up or stuck at a 1/4 tank and it would be empty... How do I know? It recently got unstuck and got the dummy gas light after about 4 years..

 

Ok I started the car up again today afternoon 54 deg F temp. Its started right up, no issues at all. But before starting I noticed the Immobilizer light. I used two keys and noticed 1 key needed a wiggle to get the immobilizer light to go out. The other key worked no prob. But after driving a little bit I noticed the clock. It was off by ~1 hr. from the actual clock. So dont know if this is battery related. But I'll look at the battery cables and report back.

 

Sounds like an immobilizer issue.

 

With this update sounds lime a battery is dying

 

My 2014 did the exact same thing this morning, except it won’t start and is showing a check engine light. My battery is fairly new and my fuel is just under quarter tank. Towing it to the shop and will report back. Very weird

 

Does it show a check engine light, because it doesn't turn on? Or is there an actual problem? If the truck is not turning on, usually the Christmas tree stays on showing all lights are functioning. Ask for codes since it's going to a shop. You may be out of gas, then again, I don't know your exact issue. I was stranded a couple times because I didn't notice my needle stopped moving at a 1/4 tank and I ran out of gas a few times in random places.

 

Yeah, I had some old gas in a Jerry can that I threw in there and that was probably a bad idea. Was hoping to get it to gas station. My buddy owns the shop so hopefully he can figure it out and I can post results. Thanks for the feedback