Ran out of gas!!!!

[1beastnstl]

DON'T LAUGH...................but I ran out of gas a couple days ago. It was stupid on my part and not my Runners fault at all. I filled back up and a day later, I now have VSC and Engine lights on!! What have I broken? :ybrick::ybrick:

 

[mizzle415]

If you ran it out of gas, you probably clogged your fuel filter, by pickin gup some debris from the bottom of the tank.

Don't know about the codes.

 

[crazydubman]

Check your gas cap.

My traction control, ABS, and check engine light came on when my locking gas cap failed on my 06. Make sure the cap shuts tight and that the seal is good. If not, time for a new one. After that is done, get the codes reset and you should be ok.

Either that or it could be the filter causing a back pressure issue in the tank

 

[shootmymime]

yes i would double check your gas cap. make sure you click it 3-4 times. (we have lots of high end vehicles come in with codes where the owner does not tighten the fuel cap enough)

you can clear the code by pulling the EFI fuse under the hood for 30 seconds. it will clear it although you wont know what code it actually is with out a code reader.

see if that helps.

if not then change your fuel filter

 

[Coveman]

Check your gas cap.

My traction control, ABS, and check engine light came on when my locking gas cap failed on my 06. Make sure the cap shuts tight and that the seal is good. If not, time for a new one. After that is done, get the codes reset and you should be ok.

Wow...I've seen CELs for leaky gas caps but not the other warning lights. That's interesting!

 

[crazydubman]

Ya it was right when I got in my runner to drive to the smog shop.....Perfect timing huh... Good thing I was close to a dealer, and am in good with a local fab shop with a code reader. Got it all cleared and was on my way to smog about an hour later.

Definitely took me by surprise though. I hopped in and turned it on only to see my dash lit up like a christmas tree. I was like :jaw drop: what the heck happened. Called up a friend who works at a dealer and the first thing he said was check the gas cap. Sure enough the spring loaded cap didn't spring back like it should have and was not locking in to place.

 

[donkeyhoatie]

FYI, I used to have a 98 which doesn't have VSC, but my buddy has an 02 with that indicator. I might be wrong, but I think the VSC button lights up automatically any time the CEL is triggered.

Go to Autozone or any other parts store that lets you run a free code check to find out the source of the code.

Run the code, find out what it is, then reset it using the code reader. If there isn't a problem any more, the CEL shouldn't come back on. And, if that light doesn't come on, the VSC shouldn't come on either.

Or, I could be whack. Dunno.

 

[TheDurk]

According to the FSM, running out of gas can set a P0171--System too Lean. (Can't get leaner than that!!). That probably set off the VSC. A full tank and a reset should do it.

 

[TH30RY]

FYI, I used to have a 98 which doesn't have VSC, but my buddy has an 02 with that indicator. I might be wrong, but I think the VSC button lights up automatically any time the CEL is triggered.

Go to Autozone or any other parts store that lets you run a free code check to find out the source of the code.

Run the code, find out what it is, then reset it using the code reader. If there isn't a problem any more, the CEL shouldn't come back on. And, if that light doesn't come on, the VSC shouldn't come on either.

Or, I could be whack. Dunno.

you are correct. the vsc lights do come on with the check engine light. Probably threw a p0171 system lean code for low fuel. NO biggie.

 

[1beastnstl]

Thanks for ALL the help guys. It was caused by my lack of fuel AND me cranking it a couple times (while empty). I'm a mgr at a Valvoline Express so I reset the light here at the shop, filled up a 2nd time then put in some fuel cleaner and ALL is running smoothly with no lights!! lane:lane:

 

[1beastnstl]

Dang!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.................................The light came back on and its "coughing" a bit at speed. I hope I have not broken something expensive!!!

 

[jsukey]

When was the last time you did plugs and wires? I've ran mine out of fuel at least 4 times in the 6 years I've owned it. "Aftermarket remote, attached to the steering wheel perfectly covered the low fuel light". It never once gave me any issues afterwards. Just refilled and rolled on.

 

[djskorch]

Here are 3 possible issues.

1. Running it out of gas sucked debris from inside the tank into the fuel filter. This would plug up the filter causing less fuel to reach the engine thus causing the engine to run lean.

2. Letting the pump run "dry" overworked the pump and damaged it. This would cause the lean code by not being able to pump enough fuel to the engine.

3. Running the fuel injectors dry caused an injector to stick. If the injector is not opening fully or is stuck in a partial open position, this would cause the lean code by not allowing enough fuel to reach that specific cylinder.

Hope this helps you narrow it down. I would start by pulling the filter off and trying to blow through it. If there is much resistance, it is probably plugged to some degree. Next would be the pump. Take it to a shop or rent/buy a fuel pressure gauge and make sure your fuel pressure is up to factory specs. Lastly would be the injectors.

 

[1beastnstl]

When was the last time you did plugs and wires? I've ran mine out of fuel at least 4 times in the 6 years I've owned it. "Aftermarket remote, attached to the steering wheel perfectly covered the low fuel light". It never once gave me any issues afterwards. Just refilled and rolled on.

I found out last week that at 138k on the clock, my Runner has NEVER had a tune up so off I went to purchase the parts to get it done. She ran better (was running good BEFORE all of this) but light came back on after 30miles.:crutch::crutch: So NOW wife tells me to replace the 1st "cat" which we did this past Thursday and lights out and my truck is running better than EVER before. :cheers::cheers::cheers:

 

[Finest]

I thought it was almost "impossible" to run the tank dry? There's always a gallon or two left on the bottom so it doesn't suck up debris.

 

[4Running Daily]

Change the fuel filter. Worth a shot