Won't Start When Fuel Level Is Low

[etiger]

I have a 2004 Tahoe Z71 (55k miles) and have a problem with it not starting when the fuel level is low. By low I mean that the miles to empty reads 50 miles or less, and at this level the gas light has no come on yet so it is hard to remember that I need to fill up. If I am driving around and the level is low and I stop and turn off the car to go into a store, I can come back out within a few hours and it will start. However, when I park it at night when it is low and come back the next morning it will not start until I add about a gallon of gas.

Someone told me that they thought it was my fuel filter so I am going to change this out this weekend. Any other ideas?

Thanks!

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by etiger

I have a 2004 Tahoe Z71 (55k miles) and have a problem with it not starting when the fuel level is low. By low I mean that the miles to empty reads 50 miles or less, and at this level the gas light has no come on yet so it is hard to remember that I need to fill up. If I am driving around and the level is low and I stop and turn off the car to go into a store, I can come back out within a few hours and it will start. However, when I park it at night when it is low and come back the next morning it will not start until I add about a gallon of gas.

Someone told me that they thought it was my fuel filter so I am going to change this out this weekend. Any other ideas?

Thanks!

Fuel filter will not help on running out of gas.
When it will not start and you add a gallon and it does.
One thing for sure you was out of gas.
When it gets down there fill it up and see how many gallons it takes to fill it up and then compare that with what sise fuel tank you have.
Then always fill up before it gets that low again.
Fuel level may be lower than it is saying.
It is better to not let the fuel tank get under a 1/4 tank.
People that do replace there fuel pump a lot mor often than the people that keep gas in there tank.
MT

[rhandwor]

Running your tank this low causes problems with the fuel pump. You will have to replace it more frequently. You are sucking the debris out of the bottom that gets by the sock.

[etiger]

thanks for the response. I know that my fuel gauge is not off because I have checked it by re-fueling like you said. Also, I have ran the car down to 0 miles to go on the range and I still did not run out (right now it is not starting with 50 miles to go on the range). I know that filling up every time once I get lower than 1/4 sounds easy, but it is easy to forget when your light does not even come on.

Is it not weird that it only does it after sitting all night? Just trying to see if there is anything I can do.

Thanks

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by etiger

thanks for the response. I know that my fuel gauge is not off because I have checked it by re-fueling like you said. Also, I have ran the car down to 0 miles to go on the range and I still did not run out (right now it is not starting with 50 miles to go on the range). I know that filling up every time once I get lower than 1/4 sounds easy, but it is easy to forget when your light does not even come on.

Is it not weird that it only does it after sitting all night? Just trying to see if there is anything I can do.

Thanks

You are running out of gas. And may have damaged your fuel pump doing so.
Keeping gas in it is a lot cheaper than replacing fuel pumps.
MT

[OasisTan]

I have the exact same issue, when my 02 Tahoe is low on fuel, even 1/4 tank or slightly less, it won't start. If I add one gallon, it starts. It only happens after sitting all night. When its cold, it gets worse. Lately, I have to have more than 1/2 tank of fuel. I know the gauge isn't off because I immediately go to the gas station and fill up and it only took 13 gallons on the last non-start fillup.

I'm guessing the fuel pump is going out. Also, it now seems to have a very irradic idle, up and down and surging when in gear. This issue has just began, ever since it has required to run 1/2 tank.

I'm taking it to the shop Monday. Any suggestions on what it might be for an easy fix besides fuel pump?

[fleettech]

there is a piece of rubber fuel line that connect the pump to the sending unit. chances are it has a crack in it and when you let the fuel level get down the line just drains back into the tank. also a sticking check valve in the pump will let it back flow

[etiger]

Thanks, are any of these items easy to fix or should I just remember to keep more than 1/4 tank of gas at all times...believe it or not that is harder to do than it seems!

[alblogg]

Originally Posted by OasisTan

I have the exact same issue, when my 02 Tahoe is low on fuel, even 1/4 tank or slightly less, it won't start. If I add one gallon, it starts. It only happens after sitting all night. When its cold, it gets worse. Lately, I have to have more than 1/2 tank of fuel. I know the gauge isn't off because I immediately go to the gas station and fill up and it only took 13 gallons on the last non-start fillup.

I'm guessing the fuel pump is going out. Also, it now seems to have a very irradic idle, up and down and surging when in gear. This issue has just began, ever since it has required to run 1/2 tank.

I'm taking it to the shop Monday. Any suggestions on what it might be for an easy fix besides fuel pump?

My '99 Blazer started doing the same thing. I jumped all over my Wife for driving by two of the gas stations we have charge accounts at only to go out the next morning to the Blazer not starting for being out of gas. Put in about two gallons done fine a week later it did it again this time I knew it had to have gas in it. Put two gallons in it done fine. Took it to the gas station filled it up two days later with 3/4 tank fuel pump went out. So your pump is telling you HEY I am about to die on you soon.

[rhandwor]

It appears they aren't hard to fix if the bed is off the truck. You can put a floor jack under the tank and drop it down. This is the hard part. Disconnect the hoses and unplug the electrical harness. Use a brass drift to loosen the fuel pump from the tank. Replace the defective hose and replace the sock on the pump.