99 Rodeo ran out of gas, now won't start

[bdzb1234]

I ran out of gas less than a block from my house. After putting about 5 gallons in, it won't start. When I spray some starting fluid in the air intake, it will start but dies after a few seconds, so I think the engine is not getting any fuel.

I tried replacing the fuel filter, but that didn't help. I have been told it could be the fuel pump. Any other possibilities?

[amigo-2k]

If you turn it to the acc on position can you hear the pump run?

I think there is another sock type filter on the fuel pump which could be jammed full of crap if you ran it out of gas.

You may also want to disconnect the battery for 30 minutes to reset the ECU. I doubt that will do anything but it is worth a shot.

[Gizmo42]

You probably killed the pump. Rodeos use an american fuel pump which do not like it when you run the tank low on gas. Never let the tank get below 1/4. The pump must sit in fuel to cool it or you will burn it up.

It cost the same amount to fill the top half of the tank as it does to fill the bottom half.

[Cat Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Gizmo42

You probably killed the pump. Rodeos use an american fuel pump which do not like it when you run the tank low on gas. Never let the tank get below 1/4. The pump must sit in fuel to cool it or you will burn it up.

This isn't entirely true. The fuel pump is cooled by fuel pumping through it. It doesn't need to be submerged in fuel to keep cool otherwise you could never get below half tank without burning up the pump. What probably happened is a bunch of crud gathered up with the last of the fuel plugged up the strainer on the pump pick-up combined with repeated hopeful cranking of the engine.

Turn the key to run, listen for pump noise, then push the schrader valve on the fuel line to see if any sprays out. If its weak or nothing at all, swap the pump relay with a known good relay in the junction box just to eliminate that possibility.

[Gizmo42]

They were replacing 4 fuel pumps per month on our work trucks (school district, lots of trucks). They finally sent out a memo that anyone caught letting the tank get below 1/4 will be written up and pay for the new pump if theirs burns out. Havent replaced one in the 2 yrs since.

For some reason it seems to be 'american' pumps that have a problem with it. If you ask a mechanic that works on lots of different vehicles they'll tell you that 8-9 out of 10 pumps they replace are 'american'.

[Ramblin Fever]

I've just always thought it good to not let ANY tank get below 1/4.

It can be hard sometimes when you're having to wait for that Friday payday, I too understand it costs the same to fill it from 1/2 full as it does to wait till completely empty...in the long run....but sometimes people just don't have the funds readily available at the half-way mark.

For the first year we owned our Rodeo, we were notoriously running it down to slightly less then 1/4 tank full, gas in Vegas, NV was expensive and we didn't always have the funds at those times to fill it.

That said, I haven't let that same Rodeo run below half for the last 8yrs.

My point is, is it's not good to run that low on gas, specially in Winter (for your own safety should you get stranded), but shortage of funds can cause one to not be able to fill up for another day or so after the 1/4 mark.

[FL 3.2L]

I have 3 vehicles on the original fuel pump:
Jetta 204K
Rodeo 170K
Jeep 135K
I never get to 1/4 tank and I usually fill up at 1/2. The first one to go will be the Rodeo. Everytime my daughter comes home with it the needle is on E.

[djjanke]

Had the same problem. Ran out of fuel due to the faulty fuel sending unit and the shrinking tank syndrome. After adding 5 gallons of gas, i was able to start it, but the pump was weak. barely got 5 lbs of pressure at the rail. Was able to drive it home and replaced the fuel pump (twice) the relay, filter, and regulator. Still only getting 5 lbs of pressure. Blew the fuel lines out, but with the luck ive had with Autozone electrical parts over the years, im fixing to get the pump from somewhere else and replace yet again.