2000 intrigue 3.5 not starting after running out of gas.

[biggflintmi]

My cousin has a 2000 intrigue with the 3.5 dual overhead cams. They ran out of gas and now it wont start. Its getting gas but i guess someone checked the spark and it wasnt getting any. So i wentover there to change a control module because they told me thats what it needed. I have never worked on a car like this before. I couldnt find the control modules and the overhead cam is confusing me. Are the electrical boxes on the head the cm? or are they hidden somewhere. Im used to working on the 90's cars so any help is appreciated.

[jdl]

How did they check for spark without taking the assembly off, I believe that is coil on plug ignition? The part you have circled in the first picture, with the cooling fins, that is the ignition module, according to the parts book. The book shows two required, one for each bank, how do they know which module is causing the problem? I wouldn't think both modules would fail at the same time. Did they check for spark? If I suspected a module, I'd check B+ and ground for the module, before I did anything else.

[panzer dragoon]

any OBD2 codes? SES (service engine soon), SVS light?

When these cars run out of gas you need to reset the tank switch or whatever it's called? -as a precaution what is your fuel pressure?

[biggflintmi]

I have no idea how they checked for spark. Her boyfriends step dad looked at it and thats what they told me. I took that panel off but i dont know how to check for spark on these things. Im used to pulling a plug and grounding it to watch for spark. I have a voltmeter thing but i didnt know where to touch it to. i also have no ideal what the fuel pressure is i just checked it at the motor and it squirted out. I also checked all of the fuses to make sure it wasnt that. I can hear the fuel pump prime. I dont know how to check the codes without a key. on my alero you can push a button in the fuse box and it flashes but i didnt see anything like that on this car.

[biggflintmi]

Originally Posted by panzer dragoon

any OBD2 codes? SES (service engine soon), SVS light?

When these cars run out of gas you need to reset the tank switch or whatever it's called? -as a precaution what is your fuel pressure?

What is this tank switch and where is it located because all he did was run out of gas and now nothing.

[panzer dragoon]

You need an obd2 reader for this car. 50-100$ that's where I would start if I were you. Walmart has them.

As said before I doubt both coil packs have gone bad, and I also doubt it's the com (computer).

You really should look into getting an alldata.DIY account ($25 a year). Search this forum for answers also.

[oldblu65]

Go to autozone and they will scan it for free .

[biggflintmi]

Originally Posted by oldblu65

Go to autozone and they will scan it for free .

i would have to tow it to autozone.lol. autozone rents those scanners for 90 and you get it back when you return it. Im not about to spend money on it anyway since its not my car thats why i was hoping it is something easy like the gas switch that guy was talking about.

[biggflintmi]

Originally Posted by panzer dragoon

You need an obd2 reader for this car. 50-100$ that's where I would start if I were you. Walmart has them.

As said before I doubt both coil packs have gone bad, and I also doubt it's the com (computer).

You really should look into getting an alldata.DIY account ($25 a year). Search this forum for answers also.

Thats cool i used alldata when i was in school but i thought it was commercial use. Ill look into that.

[panzer dragoon]

I looked into the fuel rollover switch and I believe the intrigue does not have one.

Buy that obd2 scanner.

If you run out of fuel, you fill'er back up turn the key on and let the fuel pressurize. =should start after a few cranks, with maybe a clogged (pressurized) fuel or tank? Filter.

It seems this car just died and remember the intrigue has a reserve part to the tank. =I have ran my car way past the fuel light going on and have never run out of fuel.

[biggflintmi]

Originally Posted by panzer dragoon

I looked into the fuel rollover switch and I believe the intrigue does not have one.

Buy that obd2 scanner.

If you run out of fuel, you fill'er back up turn the key on and let the fuel pressurize. =should start after a few cranks, with maybe a clogged (pressurized) fuel or tank? Filter.

It seems this car just died and remember the intrigue has a reserve part to the tank. =I have ran my car way past the fuel light going on and have never run out of fuel.

She's going to go up to autozone and rent the scanner. I will let you know what codes when she finds out.

[LittleHoov]

Can you hear the pump priming? You should also check the fuel pressure. These cars need pretty high pressure. You may have just been getting line pressure.

It could very well be that running out of gas finished off the fuel pump, the pumps are cooled by the gas running through it, so it might have fried the pump when there was no gas?

[dtownfb]

I just ran out of gas on Monday (I really need to get the fuel gage fixed). I simply added 2 gallons of gas and it started after a few cranks and a couple pumps of the accelerator. My guess is the answer lies with the codes.

[panzer dragoon]

Originally Posted by dtownfb

I just ran out of gas on Monday (I really need to get the fuel gage fixed). I simply added 2 gallons of gas and it started after a few cranks and a couple pumps of the accelerator. My guess is the answer lies with the codes.

Many fuel guage sensors use thermresistors = no fuel, they overheat and burn out. I'm unsure what the Intrigue uses. Sort of like LH was saying before. So yes, what you are saying makes sense. With fuel prices so high I'm sure people are letting there tanks get fairly low.

[Tobey]

I think you're confusing a thermistor with a potentiometer. A thermistor is used to monitor temperature. Fuel senders use a potentiometer to vary resistance depending on fuel level. They shouldn't overheat under any circumstance, as there's very little current running through them.

Anyway, back on topic...