2003 XC Ran out of gas. Car will start for a few seconds . .

[Blandeaux]

I have scoured the forums and cannot find it.

I ran out of gas. I know that is bad.

Put gas in, car runs for a few seconds and then stops slowly, like you would expect when you don't have continual gas coming into the lines.

I replaced the fuel line filter. No go. I checked both shrader valves with ignition to position II and I am getting good pressure from the tank and to the injectors. I think that means the fuel pumps are functioning.

What I cannot find is the fuel pump relay. WHERE IS IT? It is not in the dash, not at the back panel, and I cannot find info that is in the engine bay.

The next thing I have to consider is the sock in the tank and I want to find the relay before dropping the fuel tank. Please help!

[oragex]

The only thing I logically see, is that there was some impurities in the gas tank that were sucked up by the pump. Even a seal inside the fuel pump could have gone bad and possibly is blocking the filter (the filter is at the pump inside the tank. I think the tank doesn't need to be dropped, just remove the rear back seat cushion. It takes a special wrench to remove the fuel pump cover.

[Blandeaux]

Thanks, opening the hatch on the gas tank will be the next step. I will report back my findings!

[el_loco]

Curious to hear what you discover. Are you positive you ran out of gas? Another thought is perhaps you were very low and the pump (if it's a submerged type) overheated and now is toast. You appear to have good pressure but maybe the pump can't maintain it.

Secondly, could air have gotten trapped in the line somewhere?

Just lobbing ideas out for fodder. Good luck.

[JeffHicks]

I think your fuel pump relay is in the interior fuse panel - accessed by open the driver's door, and removing the panel cover on the side of the dashboard.

Also, unless I'm mistaken, there is a fuel-pump access cover in the cargo are of your Volvo - on the passenger side, under the carpet.

Did you put a gauge on your fuel rail to test the pressure? I believe it should be about 43 psi at the schrader valve.


I suspect you sucked up some junk from the bottom of your empty tank, and may have plugged the sock at the bottom of the pump. You might be getting some pressure, but not proper pressure.

[CountryBum-kin]

Running out of fuel is the the quietest way to burn out an electric fuel pump.

[draser]

Fuel pump damage due to lack of cooling and overspinning. I'd check actual pressure at rail.