A couple problems came up after running low & putting 11.3 gallons in the 11.9 gal tank. Living on the edge baby! (--of dumbass, I know.)

First, the fuel gauge has stayed pegged on E. Is it more likely the float is stuck or the gauge?

Second, after leaving the gas station the next 4 starts were a bit hesitant and now it won't start at all. Just when I was going to get some Seafoam.
I'm thinking junk from the tank got picked up in the fuel? ... or...?

No MIL, no codes, none pending and nothing showing up odd that scan tool picks up with engine not running. The main relay clicks & pump hums for 2 sec.
Got no pressure tester but swapped the fuel filter off my 97 dx that's got the engine out. Cranked a couple times but no start and now gotta charge up the battery.

Any input is welcome, thanks!

 

There's a non-zero chance that you killed the pump. Should start up no issue after some priming even if you ran it dry. Pull the lower back seat, disconnect the pressure line, and power on the ignition while watching for flow. Shut off immediately if there is so that you don't make a mess. Definitely don't smoke while you're doing that.

 

Do basic no-start diagnostics:

1) Check for strong white spark at the plugs.

If you have spark,

2) Spray starting fluid into the throttle body while cranking the engine. Does the engine now start?

If engine still does not start,

3) Check the mechanical timing and compression test the cylinders.

 

Thanks! Definitely makes sense- got it started & drove it around & shut it down back home. Won't start again. But need a smoke 2 relax while working on fuel system!

 

Plugs are almost new!...until I checked the maintenance log - was 9k miles ago. It always seems like I just did that...

 

Bad spark plugs generally don't cause a no-start problem. Check for spark (when engine won't start). It's pretty easy.

 

dang tunnel vision - couldn't see what you were saying! I'll check 4 spark, thx

 

If you have strong spark, you can verify a fuel problem by spraying starting fluid into the throttle body.

If a fuel problem is verified, start by measuring the fuel pressure.

If fuel pressure is good, check whether the fuel injectors click and spray fuel.

 

If you don't have a gauge the next best way to check fuel delivery is to take off the return hose where it goes from the regulator to the metal line back to the tank. Then turn the key on but don't crank and you should have fuel coming out in a decent stream (catch it in a clean container so you can look for dirt or water contamination). This proves the fuel pump makes enough flow and pressure to build up to normal pressure in the rail and open the regulator. Taking off some hose before the regulator might have fuel come out but it doesn't tell you anything about pressure.

I'd also suggest the functional test with starting fluid that @muellersfan said, this is a very quick way to tell if it is lack of fuel or something else.

And always be prepared that it could be something else-- go through the complete cranks but won't start troubleshooting without pre-judging what you think the problem is.

 

Good spark. Didn't have any starting fluid or pressure tester but the fuel delivery was nothing so removed the pump.

And the tank was empty. Don't know wtf happened at the gas station - put my credit card in, pumped gas (I thought), got a receipt... Looking at it later, it was someone else's credit card....
So instead of only getting 58 miles on a full tank I'd gotten 58 miles on E.

I jumpered the gauge wires at the tank to verify the gauge was working so thought maybe sediment had seized the float. If my cx had the thermistor in the sending unit the low fuel light would have saved a lot of trouble. I did verify the wiring and light all are there just needing that thermistor.

So thanks very much for the help! Car started up immediately with gas in the tank and runs fine, and starts fine again!

your friend, DumbassHatchaholic

 

For the future, spending a few bucks on starting fluid will save you a whole lot of time and grief.

You want to fix the gas gauge too.

 

Murphy's law kicked my *** - have a whole shelf of automotive products but one ancient empty can of starting fluid. Did get a few drips out... Will be hitting autoparts store next. And figuring a quick hookup for fuel pressure testing.

And the gauge and sending unit did work, I just didn't believe them cuz I'd just filled up... so I thought.