help please 96 windstar

help please, my wife was running low on gas when she got home and decided to wait untill the next day to fill up.......the next morning while warming up the van, it stalled.assuming it was out of gas, i put a couple bucks in, but nothing happened it just turns over with out starting up, Ive heard of the feul pump reset switch and have found it should it be up or down or is the problem else where ?

I wonder if there is air in the fuel line?
Perhaps one could take a rag....and shortly after you try to start the car, but with the key out (OFF), locate the fuel pressure test point (center of the front fuel rail.....which is the crome line that connects to the fuel injectors) and unscrew the cap....and place the rag there to catch any fuel that comes out.....press the center part of the little valve. The valve is just like a tire air valve.

If fuel comes out.....you should be fine. If no fuel comes out....then you may have air in the system.

When you first turn the key to the "ON" position....before going to the "START" position.....you should hear the fuel pump run for a second or so.......

help please, my wife was running low on gas when she got home and decided to wait untill the next day to fill up.......the next morning while warming up the van, it stalled.assuming it was out of gas, i put a couple bucks in, but nothing happened it just turns over with out starting up, Ive heard of the feul pump reset switch and have found it should it be up or down or is the problem else where ?

Hello

TJ

The fuel pump reset switch should be down. This switch usally only trips if the vehicle was hit. This is to shut off the fuel pump so it doesn't keep pumping and cause a fire.

Engines need fuel, compression and spark to run. You could try a small bit of starting fluid. Remove your air cleaner and spray a SMALL amount into the air tube. Try to start the van. If it even just fires you know that it's a fuel issue.

If you have any doubt in your abilites to do this don't try it. Too much starter fluid will ruin your engine.

Regards

Dan

what do i do if there is air in the line

Pressing that little valve should let it out. The air "should" go back to the gas tank in the return line. So I would wonder if that is the problem.....and if it is.... letting just a little bit out several times should take care of it.

Make SURE that you can hear the fuel pump come on as I described above.
If the pump does not run.....that is a different problem.


The FIRST thing that I would do is put MORE gasoline in. A couple bucks is NOT very much gasoline. It IS possible that you do not have enough gasoline in the tank to be picked up by the fuel pump pick up. Especially if the car is on a slope.....