Ran out of gas, now won’t start with full tank

[thewaterpipe]

My light fuel just came on, should have had enough gas to make it a few miles, I ran out of gas.
So I had a friend tow me a few miles so we could fill the tank, now it won’t start back up.
Any ideas?

[anarchy1024]

Assuming it still cranks and everything, just doesn't run?

First, when turning the key to ON but not START, do you hear the pump prime? If not, check fuse.

If so, then maybe bunch of sediment in the tank got sucked in and clogged something? I'd probably start with fuel filter if it's easy to get to (my 2003 has it right in the engine bay, but I think later years had it in the fuel tank). Could also pull a fuel line off either to the filter in the engine bay or fuel rail, and see if there's any flow. If not, problem is back of that point. If so, something forward (maybe injectors).

[thewaterpipe]

Checked the filter, when I turn the ignition to on, and press the gas pedal it’s making a clicking sound

[anarchy1024]

The pump should run for a few seconds then shut off. Should sound like a mechanical whirring sound from inside the fuel tank. Does it make that sound?

[thewaterpipe]

When my foot is on the pedal? Or just when I turn her on?

[thewaterpipe]

When my foot is on the pedal? Or just when I turn her on?

[thewaterpipe]

I’ll look into it

[anarchy1024]

You should hear a sound like this:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jCPHxBvJozysoYyN8

You just turn the key to ON (one after ACCessory), and that's it. Don't need to touch anything else.

You said you checked the filter; how did you do that? You checked the fuel filter? In my 2003, it's a black cylinder with two short pipes near the driver's side strut tower, and there's no way to check it unless it's removed.

You're welcome to PM, but I think it's best to keep the conversation here:
- allows other people with way more experience and knowledge than me to reply
- preserves the conversation for everyone in the future to learn from
- in case I disappear, someone else can jump in and help
- you can share the convo link with someone else to get a second opinion or for more help

[anarchy1024]

This is where the fuel filter is on mine (see attached photo).

If you don't hear the noise from the video (second one, from under the car), it's likely something to do with the fuel pump. It may not be the pump itself; could also be a fuse or relay.

You said fuel was low, but it shut off before you thought it should (you thought it could go a few miles, but the engine stopped instead). Are you sure it actually ran out of fuel?

If you don't hear the pump sound, one possibility is, you were low on fuel, which means the pump is sucking in fuel from near the bottom of the tank, instead of the top. Sediment and other crap often sinks in liquid, which may now get picked up by the pump, since it's close to the bottom. Something gets into the pump and jams it.

If you do hear the noise, maybe there's a clog up the line.

Also, keep in mind, unlike other people here, I'm not a professional mechanic, and I haven't experienced this particular problem with any of my cars, but based on my understanding of the systems, this seems plausible.