help....Viper dying....Fuel Pump dead?

[Catwood]

On the way to work today trying to stretch the tank to the next station car seemed to run out of fuel going up a slight incline. It started again after I pulled over and I hightailed it to the station where it started sputtering again. Fill it up but it only took 14.5 gallons. I thought the tank was bigger?

Anyway, tried to start and it wouldn't fire. After about 5 minutes of checking stuff it fired up and off I went. About a mile down the road in traffic it died as I stopped for a traffic light. Again after about 5 minutes it fired up again, drove a while a died again.

Drove it home with it dying every couple of minutes. Most of the time as I stop at lights but sometimes while under way. Once it goes it seems to run fine for the few minutes. Good throttle response.

So I suspect FP overheated and is now stopping once it gets warm.

Or possible crap in the fuel tank sucked up and plugged the fuel filter.

I can hear the fuel pump cycle when I hit the key.

I figure to check fuel pressure in the driveway as it's running to see if it drops before it dies. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Carl

 

[AG98RT10]

On the way to work today trying to stretch the tank to the next station

Or possible crap in the fuel tank sucked up and plugged the fuel filter.

BINGO!! Try not to run cars down to fumes, 'cause this is what will happen. Now your fuel filter is clogged and must be cleaned/replaced.

No big damage done, however

 

[Catwood]

Thanks....the stop and go traffic was horrific today and I didn't plan to run so low.


It still bothers me that it only took 14.5 gallons to fill. That doesn't seem that low?

Carl

 

[Mopar Steve]

Same thing happening to George (local member). His fuel pump was replaced and filter, and still kept happening. Tank was checked for sediment/sludge and was found clean.

I really don't buy the "running it too low" theory. As we drive our cars anything in the tank is immediately stirred up and in suspension during driving. The heating oil/fuel tank in our home is different it sits still and debris tends to settle out to the bottom of the tank.

The dealer with Georges car is currently checking for a bad ground situation.

Good luck, keep us posted of your progress.

 

[01sapphireGTS]

I'm not saying that you don't have a filter and/or pump problem, but it stands to reason that anything in the tank that is heavier than the fuel itself is already at the bottom where the pickup is located. Debris, water etc are all heavier than the fuel so they sink in it. Things that are lighter than the fuel float on top of it and would be the only things subjected to the pump and filter when a very low fuel level situation existed.

I have run my daily driver almost dead empty before most of my fill-ups for a 1/4 of a million miles with no ill side effects.

 

[MADDMAXS57]

Try checking the fuse box located in the rear of your GTS on the left side
by your spare tire. There is a fuse in there that is related to your Fuel
pump and it could be the problem.

Had a similar but different problem with my GTS no fuel, sputtering, would not start. Tech thought it was the fuel pump, replaced it, same problem. traced it to the fuse back there.

Someone else may know what it is called but they replaced mine (48.00) and it was fixed. Hope this helps.