Need HELP! Car ran out of gas and won't start
 

Hi all,
My car ran out of gas yesterday and the engine shut itself off. After filling the gas with 4 gallons of 93 octane, the car won't start. I have to towed it home yesterday.

This morning, I put in 6 more gallons and try to start it again and all it does was crank. Car showing half tank full and I can't get it start. everytime i try to start, it just crank and crank. I am afraid that I will kill the starter/battery if I continue.

Do anyone know what might the cause to my issue? fuel pump or fuel filter issue?

my car is base 2007 E350/w211 and has 72100 miles on it.

thanks for all your help.

Are you sure it was out of gas or think it was out? Pull codes something should show up.

Hi Vettdvr,
Yes - My car ran out of gas completely. the light come on when the tank was 1/4 and I think I drove more than 50 miles and forget to fill it up. busy weekend.

There is no check engine light and yes the camshaft sensor has been replaced by the dealer 2-3 years ago.

I am going to get an odb2 any way to see if I can read any code. right now, my guess would be the ran out of gas might kill the fuel pump.

It should not have hurt the pump. You might have air in the lines and need to cycle the ignition on/off 5 or 6 times to prime the lines but it should start. The pump will only run about 5 or so seconds to start the engine but if you have air in the lines the air will have to purge for a start. You might try cycle on / off without cranking just to see if the pump will prime.

Vettdvr - I talk to one of my friend and stated the same thing as you are. he said try to open each sparkplug one at a time and crank the car. Since it is raining all week and my code reader won't arrive until wednesday. I am going to wait until then. I will update next.

Open plug? I would not open the plug or injector line. There is a recycle line back to the tank and a pressure regulator to control flow. If you cycle enough to get fuel to the regulator it will hold pressure and any air trapped between the injector and regulator will quickly vent at 39 psi.

Just turn the key on/off dont' start and this will cycle the fuel pump.

IF the pump fuse has blown it of course won' t start.

I turned the key like 5 and 10 times, but no luck. I'll check the fuel pump fuse this evening.

Maybe you burned out the fuel pump sucking air through it by trying to turn the key so many times, if you did so on an empty tank that is.

vettdvr - here is what I did so far for diagnostic.

1. check the fuel pump fuse (located rear at 4th place 20 amp) and it was good.
2. check the fuel pump relay. ask my kid to turn the key on and it was clicking, so it is good.
3. open the gas cap from the tank to see if I can hear the fuel pump when the key is turn on position. No sound.

Before I concluded is a fuel pump, I want to check the fuel line pressure while turn the key to on position. Do you know how I do that? diagram would be helpful.

thank you,

AMGAffalterbach - when the gas ran out, I didn't start the car because the gas was out. I then put in 1 gallon, it wouldn't start. then I put in 3 more gallons, no luck. then another 6 more gallons, no luck. my tank is 1/2 full now.

Check the fuel pressure. There is a valve on the fuel rail. Unscrew the cap, press it in, the fuel should spray out if the pump is good.

Okay. Got my Code reader today and it is indating P0335 - Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Malfunction.

Anyone got an instruction on how to DIY and part number for the sensor? I can't believe it the one replaced by the dealer is bad again.

Alright, misread I thought you attempted to start it several times on an empty tank. Something people tend to do without realizing how much harm it would cause, but my bad I get what you were explaining now :y

And wait how long ago did the dealer replace it because their work and the part may still be under warranty.

If the CPS fails the fuel pump won't run because that is the failsafe to prevent fires in a accident. The engine must turn and send a signal from the CPS to the computer for to keep the fuel pump energized.

The CPS also tells the system when to fire the plugs.

If your codes show CPS you can change it. The forum has pics of location and how do make the change. It is a tight fit but can be done. Sorry I don't have any photos or files to attach.

Can you hear the pump cycleing when you turn the key on?

It's possible that the fuel filter is clogged from sucking dirt up that was in the bottom of the tank.

Vettdvr - I located the sensor and unplug the wire, and I couldn't feel or locate the screw around the sensor with my finger. I try to pull the sensor out, but unable to.

It is a torque screw just one. It goes in from the rear to the front of the car. AFTER you remove this screw the sensor will come out. Use a 1/4 drive and torque.

Same issue
 

hey, did you find what the problem was?
im having the same issue with my car