I have a 99 Chevy Express G3500 6.5L and it was run out of diesel. After trying several times to get it started I began to bleed the injectors where I found there was no fuel coming to them. I checked the fuel pump at the tank which was working and found that the filter was filling up but the fuel was not coming out or going to the injector pump. I have tried ether I was told to use an air hose and blow into the fuel tank. Everyone says there should be a primer somewhere and I have even been told there is a fuel shut off that has to be turned on with a scanner tool. What can I do?

There's a bleeder on top of fuel filter housing?
After bleeding, do you have some fuel coming to the T-Valve bleeder close T-stats housing?
If not you might experience a PMD issue---

Read the anouncement at the top of the 6.5 page. DO NOT USE ETHER. You may have caused serious engine damage.Did you check the filter?Sucking the tank dry could have plugged it. Do you hear a click from the fuel shut off solonoid on top of the injection pump when turning the key on? If no check the fuses. Check to see if fuel is getting to the ip. Remove return line and run the fuel pump[shifter in drive key on] or jumper the relay to run the fuel pump.The injector lines may just take a long time to fill back up. They should self bleed if cranked for 30 seconds,rest for a couple of minutes,crank for 30 seconds,rest for a couple of min. repeat.Most diesels are tough to get started after running out of fuel.Resting between attempts is important so you don't fry the starter. Also there is no primer pump and you don't need a scanner to turn on fuel shut off. Good luck

Do not use ether on these engines. The more you use ether the more you'll bend the rods to the point where you'll need ether to start the engine every time. Ether is like crack for a diesel, the moe you use it the more you need it.

Its not that the engine refuses to start, its that its got no fuel to do so. Without fuel you get nothing. Ether won't help there or anywhere near a diesel. Ether was originally used in surgery as an anesthetic. The same applies to an engine, too much and the engine will go to sleep for good.

I have run the IP & I assume injector lines dry of fuel a couple of times when plumbing in my VO conversion. What I did was take the fuel feed line off the IP, run the LP via jumpering the fuel relay with a paperclip until fuel came out of the feed line & then put it back on the IP. I left the LP running while I put it back on the IP. You need to do this quickly & it is a bit messy but this way I know there is not air in the lines or filter. Re-install the fuel relay, turn the key & after two mabe three cycles of the ignition she started right up.
Worked for me. Good luck & DON'T USE EITHER!!!

Filter system somewhat different on a van than a pickup so suggestions may sound a bit odd .If you have an owners manual it should give instructions on procedure if you run out of fuel .
In any case you should bleed filter until clear fuel coming out bleeder.

If you ran out of fuel, chances are the tank sock is clogged.

Another possibility will be the LP just give up since there is no fuel.

Need to jump the LP, there is a trick in the FAQ on how to do that.

NEVER EVER run out of fuel in a diesel, that is my dad's warning. At the most go down till quarter tank but that is cutting it short and the burb has 42 gal tank.

Also don't forget that after all of that cranking and the batteries get weak it won't want to start once it does get fuel because it isn't turning over fast enough. If you think it's turning a little bit slow charge those batteries too.