Sigh...Ran out of fuel and can't get truck to start now!

[MarkR]

Hey everyone,

So this morning I was driving to the station for some fuel and the truck ran out "on the way there" This had happened to me once before but I easily got it started last time. Now I know you're thinking "well you dummy why did you let it run out of fuel?" but the problem is the gauge said I had a little over 1/8 of a tank and no low fuel light on. I thought I was perfectly fine (which I thought last time as well ).

So I'd like to know what the problem may be with the gauge for one (sending unit?) and two:

How can I get my truck to start again since it ran out. I killed the battery today from cranking it over so much. I put in 3 gallons of fuel (only have a 1 gallon can..I just love making trips back and forth from the station). Is 3 gallons enough?

I cycled the key turning it on for 20 seconds and then off and repeat for about 5 mins and still no luck.

Any special tricks out there?

Thanks,

Mark

[DunesRunner08]

I have never had to do this but I have been told you have to prime the vehicle since its a diesel, they are a little different.... sorry to say but I have no clue where to do this at... I dont plan on ever running out of fuel... hopefully a tech can chime in and answer this

[rpm-inc]

Put in more fuel, another 5 gallons. It will start. Take the lid off the fuel filter and turn the key. When the fuel bowl starts filling, you put in enough.

I ran out the other day as well. Slightly below quarter, no low fuel light.

[dieseldan2005]

I would imagine that you need to take off the fuel filter cap and pour fuel into the fuel bowl.

[MarkR]

Thanks for the replies. I was under the impression you could prime it as well (but I don't know how) plus the manual just says keep on crankin' until it starts.

Another 5 trips to the fuel station is what I'll have to do I suppose but I'm going to try diesel dans idea first and see if it works (that is, after I get my battery recharged!)

[szyd]

Originally Posted by dieseldan2005

I would imagine that you need to take off the fuel filter cap and pour fuel into the fuel bowl.

You dont have to take off cap although youshould change filter cause you sucked stuff out of tank. As far as starting the truck you need to cycle the key a bunch. You will hear the fuel pump it will run and shut off cycle key again you will hear fuel pump run and turn off. Once you have done this a fewtimes you will notice the pump runs for less time and should change tone when pushing fuel It will run less and run quiter Then try to start. It should start.

[szyd]

Originally Posted by MarkR

Thanks for the replies. I was under the impression you could prime it as well (but I don't know how) plus the manual just says keep on crankin' until it starts.

Another 5 trips to the fuel station is what I'll have to do I suppose but I'm going to try diesel dans idea first and see if it works (that is, after I get my battery recharged!)

If you poure fuel in bowl you still have 10' of empty fuel line.

[symbols]

[tubular031]

When I drained my fuel bowl to change the filter and replaced the spin on filter on the rail, i turned the key in and waited for the pump to cycle off (maybe 30 seconds) I did this with the drain open till fuel started to flow to the jug on the ground. then closed the valve and cycled the key a few more times till i stopped hearing bubbles in the tank from the return

[MarkR]

Okay well I suppose I'll get the battery charged/jumped and try to cycle the key again. I know last time this happened I put 2.5 gallons in from a can and got it started no problem and it was super empty that time (this time I shut it right off). Perhaps the battery dying wasn't allowing the pump to work efficiently? Now if I could just find those damn jumper cables lol.