01 Chevy Malibu won't start after running out of gas...

Asked by Reba Aug 18, 2016 at 12:20 PM about the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I ran out of gas and now car won't start, I
put 1/4 tank gas in and still won't start, I
can hear the humming of fuel pump, I
originally thought the fuel relay but that's
not the case. What else could it be?

2 Answers

40

Try hitting your gas pedal be for attempting too start it only do it once or twice dont flood it but that worked on my car

40

Same thing happened with my wife's '00, but instead of calling me at work, she cranked it over and over until she killed the battery (like 30min!). The thing hasn't been the same since. Literally takes 2-4 long, hard tries to start it now with a new battery (it's downright embarrassing, especially when we try to drive somewhere with friends. They always joke, I'll drive since we're in a hurry ). Hard starts aren't new either, she already had the starter replaced after having trouble starting it for a few years now (not 4 tries like she has to do now, but it rarely ever started the first time). I know I'm rambling, but the worst is when she gets gas, it always stalls afterwards and takes even longer to get restarted Anyway, the no start after running out of gas was caused by getting junk and debris clogged in her fuel filter. When you run out of gas with a fuel injected car, it's likely to happen as a lot of gunk and debris can accumulate in your tank.

3 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    4,590
  • #2
    T_S_T
    Reputation
    4,380
  • #3
    tenspeed
    Reputation
    4,150
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Impala
12 Great Deals out of 130 listings starting at $4,888
Used Toyota Camry
48 Great Deals out of 1,161 listings starting at $4,594
Used Honda Accord
50 Great Deals out of 998 listings starting at $2,995
Used Nissan Altima
24 Great Deals out of 682 listings starting at $3,950
Used Honda Civic
170 Great Deals out of 4,071 listings starting at $440
Used Chevrolet Camaro
15 Great Deals out of 487 listings starting at $11,995
Used Toyota Corolla
158 Great Deals out of 2,295 listings starting at $3,495
Used Hyundai Sonata
44 Great Deals out of 799 listings starting at $1,543
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
198 Great Deals out of 8,239 listings starting at $6,995
Used Nissan Maxima
12 Great Deals out of 186 listings starting at $4,493
Used Hyundai Elantra
160 Great Deals out of 3,019 listings starting at $1,995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.