Ford 5.4L question

[Furu]

Have a 1997 Ford 5.4L I tow with. Yesterday I stupidly let it run out of fuel. Long story. After restarting it I have a "check engine" light. I know that I need to get the code read but the OBD is not as descriptive as OBD II and in the past codes have yielded less than useful information. Has anyone run their 5.4L out of fuel before and does that "normally" cause a check engine light? Does running an injected engine out of fuel break something that would set a code? It has been started multiple times since and hoped it might clear but has not. I was 400 miles from home so had to drive it a ways.

 

[cowski]

take the battery cable off to reset it. then see if it comes back.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Check your fuel cap and flapper door in the fill neck. I have seen both these set off the CEL. Had it happen a few months back on my Titan by not having the cap on properly.

Chris

 

[Furu]

Check your fuel cap and flapper door in the fill neck. I have seen both these set off the CEL. Had it happen a few months back on my Titan by not having the cap on properly.

Chris

Fuel cap is on and that was my first check. Never thought about the flapper in the neck as I did not know that could cause a problem. It was filled twice afterward at the pump ( long drive home) but did not look at the flapper. Will do that.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Fuel cap is on and that was my first check. Never thought about the flapper in the neck as I did not know that could cause a problem. It was filled twice afterward at the pump ( long drive home) but did not look at the flapper. Will do that.

Many times when a vehicle is ran low on fuel the evaporator canister for the fuel system will also give you issues. Had it happen on my neighbors moms Buick a few years back. Cant remember the whole story but I found the issue with a scan tool and it was a simple fix.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

You need to get the code(s). Running any vehicle out of gas allows the pump to suck up all the loose crap in the bottom of the tank. Since it's a 97, theres probably plenty of crap in there too!

 

[jeffsw6]

You need to get the code(s). Running any vehicle out of gas allows the pump to suck up all the loose crap in the bottom of the tank. Since it's a 97, theres probably plenty of crap in there too!

Yep! If the fuel filter is doing its job right, it may get clogged up by that crap, and you will have low fuel pressure -- maybe not even enough to start the engine.

The fuel pump can get damaged too. I ran my truck out of fuel once, put some gas in and changed the filter and thought I got lucky, but within a couple of weeks, it was in the shop getting a new fuel pump. Glad it didn't happen while I was far from home.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Dmace may have hit the mail on the head. Really need to get a code scanner on it.

Chris

 

[jonyyuma]

Many times when a vehicle is ran low on fuel the evaporator canister for the fuel system will also give you issues. Had it happen on my neighbors moms Buick a few years back. Cant remember the whole story but I found the issue with a scan tool and it was a simple fix.

Chris

Just saying,,Both my manuals say not to top the tank when filling it?? It can cause the vapor caniser to fail prematurely too. Not in this case... I bet there is plenty of crap in that fuel filter after sucking dry..

 

[crazyal]

Reset it and see if it comes back. Most likely it picked up on a lean condition and cylinders misfiring as it ran out of gas.

 

[crashz]

I think Crazyal is right. It would have picked up the misfire. That takes quite a few drive cycles to clear a misfire code.

BTW- a 97 should be OBDII. Bring it to Autozone and see what code it brings up. Try not listen to the autoparts guys cause 9/10 times they will say its a O2 sensor.

 

[Furu]

Reset it and see if it comes back. Most likely it picked up on a lean condition and cylinders misfiring as it ran out of gas.

I disconnected the battery to reset the code and so far no re-occurrence so must have been as you folks said. I never got the code read. Someday I will get an OBD code reader but just can't justify the cost.

Thanks to all who answered!!

 

[Diamondpilot]

A good scanner is not that much and will save you the money you spend on it the first time you use it. I got mine off Amazon for $70 with shipping and has fixed 2 customers cars and told stupid me I did not have my fuel cap on good when my CIL came on in my Titan over the summer.

It has live data also which means you can see things like oil pressure, tranny temp, water temp, rpms, ect

Chris

 

[slowzuki]

Thats a good deal! I looked at the serial port models with pc software but I've got only usb on my laptop. Was also looking for something that could sniff the canbus on my MF tractor to see what it was doing!