Well, the title sort of sums it up. I'd done it 30 times or more with no problems....the low fuel light comes while I'm running around town, I stop just before work (about 10 miles away) and fill it up. Apparently I miscalculated. Mind you, this is after reading all the well documented short timed "Low Fuel Light" issues on this forum. Ran out right in between exits on the freeway. Had to get a coworker to come get me, then had to buy a stupid Cal. regulation 2 gal. can (spill proof - $10). Put the fuel in, primed then it started after about 5 trys. The coworker left, I went to get into the truck, and it dies. 10 long tries with the starter, no luck. Unplugged juice (thought what the heck), no luck. Replugged juice, called wife, back to the gas station, 2 more gal. of fuel. Reprimed, reprimed, reprimed, fuel squirting out of bleed valve. No luck. Semi's going by 5 feet from me at 65mph while filling tank. Dodge truck, many mods, pulls up to help. Calls mechanic he knows, guy says keep trying, only way to do it on a Dmax. Tried maybe 30 times with starter until battery gave up. He jumps the battery, second try it fires up. Now I have no gauges - have dash lights, T/H, cruise, DIC and shift lights, juice works, but no gauges. I will have to look for blown fuse when I get home. Plus, how bad did I hurt the engine? I guess only time will tell.


Long story short, DON'T RUN OUT OF FUEL!!!

We all said that those were "Out of Fuel" lights!


I would also be concerned about running that tank that low as to how much gunk and/or water got pulled up into the system?

Never have seen mine come on yet and I have put 24.5+ gallons into my 26 gallon tank!!!

You may have zapped something during the jumpstart, as you stated, I would check the fuse’s first.


Still under warranty? Take it back to the dealer, tell him about the gauges but I wouldn’t say anything about the jump start.


Don’t worry about gunk or water entering the system because of running out or low. Your fuel pump picks up from the bottom anyway where all that stuff settles. Water wont blend but will suspend in your diesel with all the sloshing around. Hopeuflly you use an additive.


I have a similar routine as you do and know when (I hope) I am getting very low. Have not run out yet but have pumped a hair over 25 gallons into my 26 gallon tank.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif





Does anyone know if they make an “Emergency fuel” for diesels like they do for gassers that you can carry around with you?


There has been a time or two when it was difficult to find a diesel while on a trip. Even then it was at the dreaded Mom & Pop kind of store.

on a trip i carry 2 5 gallon contaners of fuel with me just in case i get low atin a remote area

Nearly did it myself this last weekend. Coming home from a long vacation pulling the 5er. I hate to stop to get gas with the trailer attached unless it is at a real highway stop designed for larger vehicles or a truck stop. (Once or twice got into gas stations I nearly didn't get out of with the 30 ft 5er.) Didn;t stop. Light came one about 10 miles from home. Thankfully made it to a gas station I know. I'd also like to know about emergency fuel other than a gas can.

I feel more sorry for that poor starter.

I feel more sorry for that poor starter.


Exactly, unless they're given adequate cooling time between start efforts, and not cranked for excessive amounts of time, they can get really hot and possibly damaged...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


That Dmax has two batteries for a reason and if you want a scare, call your stealer's parts department and ask how much for a starter.

Hey guys just get fuel sooner!!! Why would you put off something that has to be done , then risk having all these restart problems and possibly hurting your starter? I'm not trying to wrinkle anyones nose but you have to admit it is more than silly to run tank that low and then have all these problems. just my 02

Last week, I got as low as 30 miles on the range and fuel light didn't come on. Put in 25 gals. Out of fuel light is right!





Bill

I started truck this morning no problems, still no gauges. Turned truck off, went through fuse box and checked all possible blown fuses and couldn't find any that were blown. When I started the truck again, all the gauges worked, so either taking out the fuses and putting them back in again fixed a loose fuse, or maybe there is a fail safe for a low or jump started battery, and it turned off certain accessories? Either way, they work again.


Now it's just getting through the paranoia that I screwed something up. Every time I start the truck I think I'm hearing strange noises from the engine. (Hmmm, that didn't sound like that yesterday.....)

Well, when my "low fuel" light comes on, I usually go another 2 or 3 miles to even up the mileage reading and then swap tanks. With my 41 gallon aux tank in the bed, 32 usable gallons is just a toggle switch flip away!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif (And 24 usable in the OEM if I've run the aux down to the light). Sure makes driving, fueling and fuel price shopping a lot more convenient!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

Hd4Fun


I see you have a 03 also. If you search under no dash guages you will see that others have had same problem.


Mine also had no dash guages once in a while and might come on after a start or two. I also had a no start condition for no apparent reason.


Mine turned out to be a loose battery wire on the starter itself.


Tightened it up and havent had a problem since.


I think the new wiring systems are very sensitive to any power or ground interuptions when they are powering up, and if all is not perfect they shut them selves down


You might want to check all your batt cables to make sure there still tight.


Diesel Dragon http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

I have ran out of fuel with mine twice now. It's easy to get them started once you get fuel back in it. All you have to do is pop the hood and there is a primer pump on top of the fuel filter. If you don't have a srewdriver to loosen the bleed screw it may just take a couple of times.


Losen the bleed srew and pump until fuel comes out, then close screw and pump some more until it gets hard to pump. If you don't use the screw just pump a bunch then start it. It may die on you though, if does just repeat once more and it should be fine. Plus you don't burn up the starter.

Best way to fix it is to pump the pump with the air bleeder closed after it starts gurgling. Then close the air screw and keep pumping untill the oem filter pops from a ton of fuel pressure. It forces fluid to the pump.

Worked like a charm for me.....

My understanding is that you need to pump with the bleed valve open until fuel comes out. Close the bleed valve and pump until the pump is had to press. If it does not start, pump it again util it is hard.


The problem is that there is air between the OEM fuel filter and the engine mounted fuel pump. I have the Kennedy Mega Filter mounted post OEM and it takes 3 attempt to clear it of any air. I can't wait until John finishes his lift pump wiring harness. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif