nguyensteve

Hello Group,

dont make the same mistake as I did

2000 E430
It was over the weekend when my gas indicatal flash, so I guess that I am low on fuel. I thought I could over for another 10-15miles. However, after less than a miles my engine light flash and the engine shut down. I was totally out of gas. Had friend came by to fill me up, got a fall tank of gas again
But now the Check Engine Light stay led.

Hook up my OBDII scanner, and got code
P0300, P0303, P0305, P0307 and P400,
P0300 trigger the Check Engine light.
P0303 - misfire on cyclinder # 3
P0305 - misfire on cyc # 5
P0307 - misfire on cyc #7
P0400 - evap not working.

Clear the Check Engine with the Scanner.

Test drive.

Everything is fine.

gstigler

So a couple miles after it actually started to flash is when you ran out of gas? I usually press the limit and I want to know when I'm really in trouble.

Once the light is on does that mean the reserve tank is being used?

nguyensteve

Gstigler,

I not sure about the reserve tank, but when the Fuel blink I had less then a mile, when hell break loss and engine cut off, Check Engine flash and stay Led.

jimmydagreek

On my '97 as soon as the light comes on I still have a long way to go. I have never calculated how far but it's usually around 20-30 miles, maybe more???

MARK CUMMINS

If You run out of gas..you can Damage the Fuel Pump...
Lack of fuel = lack of Lubrication....NO start
I Have seen Several do this....Then Time to replace the pump and fuel filter
When The reserve light comes on BUY Fuel ASAP!

jimmydagreek

Oh oh, thanks for the info. Mark.

MBZ12

Good info! Thanks NguyenSteve. I usually drive about 15-20 miles after my light is lit. I've never ventured into the blinking stage though. After reading this, it sounds like it's a headache I can go without....

michakaveli

I never knew it blinks when *hit is about to hit the fan...

rp718

I was told by MB serviceguy that when the light goes on, you have 2 gallons in the tank.
Possible that the sensor is misbehaving?

gstigler

so it's 2 gallons when the light goes on. When the light starts flashing is the fuel pump sucking air?

E55AMG99

Yeah, 2.5 gallons (1/8 of 20 gallons) is what is left in the tank when the light comes on. I've run mine out 2X and never had the warning light blink. First time was to understand how low I could go under extreme circumstances. The second time I hadn't planned on the only gas station in the area (25 miles from nowhere) to be closed.

Still, it's never a good idea to run the tank that low.

zx11blade

Nguyensteve- quick question on your OBDII scanner. I have one for my Jeep cherokee, but when I tried to use it on my Benz it has the wrong adapter plug on it. Did you buy yours specifically for Benzs or did you have to buy an adapter. Thanxs in advance

moebisgold

Are you looking at the OBD II connector under the dash to the Rt of the steering wheel? All OBD II scanner ports are the same by law. The 38 pin Rd. connector by the computers is also a scanner port but for the Spendy scanners. These do way more than the OBD II scanners.

zx11blade

Moebisgold - thanxs for the info. I guess I really didn't look to hard. The connector is is on the left side of the wheel in my Jeep. And when I saw the connector there in the Benz and it didn't fit I thought that was the only connector.

GDawgC220

usually when the light comes on, you got about 2 gallons left, which figures to about 15-20 miles roughly, depending on your speed, etc.

But usually when the light comes on, you should theoretically have enough time to get to a gas station to fill'er up.