2001 V8 Hard starting, rough idle and CEL

My 2001 V8 LS cranks forever and will not start unless I turn the key to the run position and listen for the fuel pump to stop and then turn the key. It starts fine everytime if I do this.

Once running it does not idle well when in gear. If the car is out of gear and I depress the gas pedal it will cut out at about 3000 rpm just like it cuts out at 155mph :wink: Starving for fuel or misfiring.

When driving down the road if I gently accelerate it will misfire or starve not sure which. If I punch it it seems to run better.

The check engine light comes on and blinks sometimes and comes on solid sometimes, but I can make it go out by changing my driving habits.

As you can tell I have been trying to gather as much detail as possible.

Battery and plugs are brand new.

Thanks

Guy

If you are getting a CEL, get the codes read free at say Auto Zone. Sounds like COP(coil on plug) is going bad but get the code read to narrow it down.
You say the plugs are new; did you find oil in the plug well? This is common for the 1ST gen LS leaking oil from the valve cover gasket and shorting the life of the COP. There is a new design valve cover gasket to correct this problem.
There is a rev limiter at 3K in park and neutral that cuts the fuel back so that is normal.

Does this explain the need to leave the key in the run position until the fuel pump stops every time I start the car? It will just crank without starting if I do not do this.

Have you checked the fuel pressure at the fuel rail when you energize the system as well as when the car is running? When's the last time the fuel filter was changed?

Usually, needing to let the fuel system priming complete or even cycle the key a few times is an indications of a weak fuel pump or a fuel line restriction.

I don't recall off the top of my head if this car uses a fuel pressure regulator, but I suppose that should be considered as well. The regulator could help explain why the car seems to run fine under hard acceleration.

-Rod