My 89 Trans Am with a 350 tpi ran out of gas. I put three or four gallons from a can into it, and then it started right up no problem. It idled for probably close to a minute but when I tried to drive away, it sputtered and died like it was out of gas. I tried starting it again several times but it just sputters for a few seconds and then dies. Usually when I turn the key halfway, you hear the fuel pump kick in, but now I don't hear it at all. Is the fuel pump shot and it's just a coincidence that I had no gas at the time??? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

For beginners, you should never let it get that low on gas. It is hard to get a fuel injected car to start back up after putting fuel in it when you have ran it completely dry. If you think it is the fuel pump, I would start with checking the relay....it is a lot easier and cheaper to start there.

 

The fuel pump need gasoline for cooling. It will burn up QUICKLY if not submerged in fuel. Letting a FI car run low of gas, let alone OUT, is not very bright.

Most likely your fuel pump is smoked. Check your fuel pressure at the fuel rail test point; it should be around 37-38 psi idling with the vacuum line hooked to the regulator, and around 42-42 psi if you disconnect the vaccum line. If it's lower than that, you need a pump.

So, learn your lesson, and after you replace it, make a point of always keeping at least a quarter tank of gas in the car; like, when it gets down to that point, fill it back up.

 

this sounds very famaliar......


i agree with rb use a fp gauge to check the fp at the rail. since you cannot get it started, connect the gauge on the schrader valve and prime the system.(tun the key foward into on postion, not start) check the pressure and report back with results. probably wont have much pressure @ all. i had the same exact problem with a buddies car. it would only prime 5lbs.

 

I ran my dads Denali on empty for 10 miles on 0 trying to find a gas station and it died.....wouldn't start and the filter was plugged with silt that had condensed in the tank. Just a thought

 

as stated a fuel pump that has ran out of gas will burn up. i would look at that first but before buying on spend 3 bucks on a new filter to.

 

When you ran it completely empty you sucked up all the garbage at the bottom of the tank. I bet you've got a clogging somewhere, fuel filter as stated above would be a great place to start before you go and spend a load of money, and time, to replace a fuel pump.

 

If it was just the fuel filter that was plugged would I still not hear the fuel pump come on when starting?