1985 firebird having problems fireing up after running out of fuel?

[WesternConfrence]

My wife ran out of gas in our 1985 firebird, this happend before in the past twice, I would just put gas in the car, and it would fire back up within a few hours or the next day [seemed like it would fire up better in warm weather]

This time it's been since last Thursday night when she came home with no gas, and this time when I refuel it and try to fire up it won't start? It sounds like it really wants to fire up but it does not, and the fuel pump is not bad because I can hear the humming noise from the pump when it's on the "on" position, I cycled through the "on" position also to send fuel through the lines and still no go.

My fathers friend thinks I could have "trash, or condisation" from her driving on fumes from low fuel, so I'm guessing it's the fuel filter that needs to be replaced? Or do I bleed the air from the gas line? Or do I reset the emergency relay fuel switch? I'm stumped and not car efficient at all and any help would be greatly appreciated thank you so much for your time!!!!!!

 

[margozp]

I'd check if the pump is actually delivering gas to the carb... the fact that it hums is ok, but it may not be actually delivering fuel... just making noise. In my limited experience removing gas tanks, I have rarely seen much junk inside but you never know...I'd hold that off as a last resort.

You mentioned that in the past it would take hours for the car to start up after running out of gas... that's very odd... should start right away.

I'm a California guy so if this is a cold weather thing then I wont be much help... its generally not really cold here.

 

[WesternConfrence]

Thank you very much I will try that and update with hopefully good news, the car is fuel injected, it does not have a carborator, it is a 85 and on the door handles of the car it says fuel injected also. I will definitely check to see if the pump is sending fuel where it's suppose to be.

Also will the emergency fuel relay switch have any effect on fixing the problem? I've heard in older models they have that switch that needs to be reset if your car ran out of fuel.

And the car has half a tank of gas now, should I fill it up completly?

Thank you very much and sorry again for asking many questions.

 

[margozp]

Yeah, 85 was a cut off for many cars to move to FI.... so you may have clogged injectors (possibly). Yes, check for the reset button... possibly in the trunk...this is most likely your best shot for a quick fix

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[WesternConfrence]

Thanks a million! I will definetly check the reset button also, thanks a lot for helping me narrow down the problems, I feel a bit relived that so far it doesent sound like a major problem. [fingers crossed]

Thanks again for your knowledge and I will update the status later today

 

[margozp]

No problem...I hope its that simple I did see on another post that one fellow did have a lot of crud in his tank (clogged filter in the tank).. lets hope its not that... but even if it is, its not that hard to drop the tank (if it came to that)... l usually go for the basics... when I hear hooves I think horses not zebras

 

[WesternConfrence]

*Update*

My wife just called me at work and said she the car fired right up!!! I didn't even get a chance to look at it after work but miraculously it's running and driving my wife showed up at work my work in the firebird with a HUGE smile =]

I don't know what happened but she said she just tried to start it and it just fired up!!! I am so thankfull and blessed, and stress has just lifted from my shoulders [for now lol] I will still look at the car when I get home from work but for right now it is up and running! =]

Thanks Margozp again for your help!

 

[margozp]

That's good... glad you two are all smiles

I'd definitely do some checking... its rare things stay magically fixed.

Happy 2015!

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[melsg5]

try not to let the car go much below an 1/8 of a tank, letting it run out of gas is an excellant way to burn out the pump.

 

[chitownmikemc]

do not run low on gas

Like the other post said do not let the gas run that low, The fuel pump is in the gas tank, and they only thing keeping it cool is the gas in the tank. The gas takes away the heat of the pump, and no gas it gets hot. Just like driving your car without coolant in the radiator, or driving 2 quarts of oil low.

 

[Zimgxp]

The fuel cutoff switch is a Ford thing No switch on your car. Glad that it started up for you.