Well I guess it was bound to happen sometime, I usually fill up before I hitch the trailer up but was so busy loading that I forgot about it. I was heading out to the dunes for the weekend and I had just over ¼ tank I thought that I would make it to the station we always fill up at (Golden Acorn for those who drive the 8). My gas light came on just before the last long grade and my range still showed 29 miles when I ran out of gas 2 miles from the top of the hill and the station.:o: I wasn’t as far off the road as I wanted to be so I attempted to start the truck to get over more but got nothing. My girlfriend called AAA and they were bringing out 5 gallons and I called my dad and brother who were just finishing loading and heading out and told them to bring another 5 gallons incase they got to me before the tow truck. The tow truck showed up so I put all 5 gallons in and tried to start it a couple times but it wasn’t going to happen so I knew I had to prime it. I must have pumped it 50 times before I felt like I wasn’t seeing any air bubbles coming out. I tried to start it again, and again, and again, still nothing. I get out and prime it another 50 times and try to start it, still nothing and now its starting to sound a bit weak so I decide to wait for the extra 5 gallons since im parked on a grade and the trailer is making the back end squat even more. I prime it again, (must have pumped out .5 gallon at this point) and wait for my dad and brother to show up.

They arrive and I add another 5 gallons and try to start it, I try to start it a couple times but still nothing and now my batteries are just about dead. The tow truck driver say’s he sees this all the time with diesels and that you need a bit of starter fluid to get them going. I am skeptical and feel like it is just air in the system but when our friends call from the dunes to see when we will be arriving I ask him if he has heard of starter fluid (he is a fireman) and says they have to use it on their truck often. My dad runs off to buy a can of starter fluid at the station and I prime the system one last time and get ready to jump it. After a quick spray of starter fluid into the intake I try to start it and it starts up instantly. I am relived to be on my way after wasting 2 hours and get to the station and put some gas in so I put in $50 and am right between ¾ tank and F. As im filling up my buddy is checking out the can of starter fluid when he notices it says in the fine print on the back (CAUTION: do not use on diesel engines equipped with glow plugs).:( I don’t know what harm can be done and im hoping that I got lucky but it still wasn’t comforting.

After a great weekend I get in and start the truck to head home when I notice that my gas gauge is reading way past F (like 4 or 5 o’clock). I tried shutting it off and restarting but when I turn the ignition on the needle jumps to ¾ tank and then once I start it goes back to 4 or 5 o’clock way past F. As I drive home the needle does drop and after the 150 mile drive home it now showing F, when I fill up again it goes right back to 4 or 5 o’clock. I have heard of lots of guys having problems with their gauges stuck on E and not working but never anyone with a gauge that reads past F. Has anyone had this problem before, what should I look at first? I don’t know whether to think that running out of fuel could have anything to do with it or it is just a coincidence.

I took my truck into the stealer for Starts/Dies problem and Oil pressure pegged, not just 180 psi but like 400 psi, 5 o'clock position. Service manager said a lot of the trucks were having gauge cluster problems and just one cluster could need replaced. I figured it was the oil sensor myself, but will let the mechanic figure it out.

I cant help you with the guage issue much, sorry.

I operate several kinds of diesel equipment (excavators, dozers and such) and being way up here in igloo country (Canada-eh) we use starter fluid all the time and yes the equipment has glow plugs in them. While cold starting is diferent than just trying to get the baby going the idea is much the same. Starter fluid generally wont do any harm at all especially on the occasional use. Where the problem comes in is the amount of starter fluid you use. Using anything more than a very quick short blast is risky as what youare basically doing is sparying in a very explosive gas into the chamber. I have seen guys blow the heads right of Dozers by using to much.

Personally, I always keep a can in my truck for those "just in case" times

At work We use it when we have too on equipment with glow plugs. Like whats been said don't over spray it before the engine is turning over. But some equipment gets hooked on it and want start for s--t without it so don't use it unless it's the only way to get her cranked. We also use WD-40 to getem cranked the engine don't seem to knock as bad with it.
Tim

Starter fluid =Damage!

X2
Don't ever use starting fluid on a Dmax without disabling the glow plugs if you even can. The starting fluid will ignite off the glow plugs as soon as it hits them no matter where each piston is in its stroke.

To fix your gauge, This situation happens when you kill your batteries. Had it happen on my car and truck. There is nothing wrong with your cluster. What happens is that the tension spring will move off the scale when it looses electrical connection. And when you restore electrical power the dial range has "shifted to a new zero" To fix. You will need to access the gauges by pulling off the clear plastic cover plug and reset the zero to the correct position.

Starter fluid =Damage!
x2

To fix your gauge, This situation happens when you kill your batteries. Had it happen on my car and truck. There is nothing wrong with your cluster. What happens is that the tension spring will move off the scale when it looses electrical connection. And when you restore electrical power the dial range has "shifted to a new zero" To fix. You will need to access the gauges by pulling off the clear plastic cover plug and reset the zero to the correct position.
this is what the dealer does!!!

Can't help w/ the cluster either, but when priming it you need to prime like you're bleeding brakes. Pump up....open valve (screw on top of filter housing)......close valve....repeat. Takes 5-8 cycles of this at about 20-30 pumps each to get an empty filter full and primed.
BTW, thanks for the heads up on starting fluid and the DMax!

Starting fluid doesnt damage anything, if used sparingly. (which sounds like you did). We have used it in our heavy equipment for many years. The key is not to use too much.

As an example, on a four stroke cycle engine with a displacement of approximately 400 cubic inches and a cranking speed of 100 RPM, the amount of starting fluid injected should be 0.2375 milliliters (.16815 gr.) per second. Depending upon the starting fluid formulation, this ratio will contribute approximately (10.5 BTU’s) per second. When this is injected into a diesel engine’s air intake system at the correct time and in the proper amounts, the results are smooth and even combustion characteristics comparable to the engine’s efficient combustion process during normal operating temperatures.

Okay dunno if you jinxed me or not with your fuel guage but today the darndest thing happened.
I turned the key to the glow plug place and then started the truck. The temp guage went all the way over to the right and stayed there. I got where I was going (short distance) and turned the truck off. When I went to leave it was fine. Finally the last leg of my driving it did it again????????????????????

Stealer is replacing my instrument cluster for that reason, be prepared to pay if your not under the 3/36k warranty.

Name of part part# cost labor
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 12/12 15114652 $225.00 1.40 total=$371.91

this is what the dealer does!!!

Stealer is replacing my instrument cluster for that reason, be prepared to pay if your not under the 3/36k warranty.

Name of part part# cost labor
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER 12/12 15114652 $225.00 1.40 total=$371.91
My method is much cheaper. Lets see for 1/2 hour of work @ $371.91. Unless I'm making $750 an hour.

my fuel gauge has always been off. a few weeks ago, it showed quarter of a tank, and I ran out of gas

Easy Fix: When our Malibu went in for a new alternator it came out with the gas guage backwards pegged and I just took a thin wire and bent a hook on it and ran in around the trip reset button and hooked the hand, pulled it back over and it has worked fine ever since.

my fuel gauge has always been off. a few weeks ago, it showed quarter of a tank, and I ran out of gasYou shouldn't have ANY gas in your truck dumba$$!:D