Service engine Soon light

[withac]

The Service Engine Soon light starts blinking this morning, I lose power, and the Tahoe dies. It’s a 2,000 with the 5.3. It would start but just barely run. Now it won’t even start. The guy that does my mechanic work brought over his little hand held code reader, it didn’t set a code. I’ve been wondering about my fuel pump for quite some time, the gauge hasn’t worked in close to a year and most guys say if the sender has gone out the pump isn’t far behind. Would a fuel pump throw a code? Any other ideas?

 

[laydout97]

The ses light was flashing because of a misfire.
There is not a code for the fuel pump that I am aware of. If you don't hear the pump priming, then check the relay. If you do hear it, check fuel pressure. What's the mileage on the truck?

 

[99Yukon_Z71]

Usually if a code is not present it could be a coil that is failing under stress(load) and could be a random misfire. Check your wires for any damage and coils. Also pull the plugs out and look at which have more deposits or smell of raw fuel

 

[withac]

What’s the code for the owner is a DUMBASS?! I have to rely on the odo to tell when I’m out of gas. I should have had an easy 25 miles left. Yeah, I know, that’s close, but I’ve never had a vehicle act like this when it ran out of gas. Any other vehicle I’ve ran out in just sputtered and died. This flashes a Service Engine Soon light and slowly loses power over a 4 or 5 block distance then dies. It will start, but barely run with no power. Didn’t seem like no fuel behavior so I start looking at other causes. Decided I’d better dump some gas in it just to double check. Damned thing cranked for a while then fired up. Drove it to the station and it took 26 gallons. Gawd I hate it when I do something that monumentally stupid.

---------- Post added at 03:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:14 PM ----------

Thanks for the help anyway guys, even if I am an idiot.

---------- Post added at 03:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:15 PM ----------

my mileage sucked for that tank, that's why I ran out sooner than expected. I knew I'd let it idle several times to warm up so the fam doesn't freeze when they climb in, been colder than hell, but I didn't think I'd idled it that much. Guess it adds up quicker than I thought.

 

[laydout97]

Well the good news is you don't have to spend 300 bucks on a fuel pump!

 

[99Yukon_Z71]

What’s the code for the owner is a DUMBASS?! I have to rely on the odo to tell when I’m out of gas. I should have had an easy 25 miles left. Yeah, I know, that’s close, but I’ve never had a vehicle act like this when it ran out of gas. Any other vehicle I’ve ran out in just sputtered and died. This flashes a Service Engine Soon light and slowly loses power over a 4 or 5 block distance then dies. It will start, but barely run with no power. Didn’t seem like no fuel behavior so I start looking at other causes. Decided I’d better dump some gas in it just to double check. Damned thing cranked for a while then fired up. Drove it to the station and it took 26 gallons. Gawd I hate it when I do something that monumentally stupid.

---------- Post added at 03:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:14 PM ----------

Thanks for the help anyway guys, even if I am an idiot.

---------- Post added at 03:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:15 PM ----------

my mileage sucked for that tank, that's why I ran out sooner than expected. I knew I'd let it idle several times to warm up so the fam doesn't freeze when they climb in, been colder than hell, but I didn't think I'd idled it that much. Guess it adds up quicker than I thought.

I would invest in a new sending unit or gauge, whatever is causing your gauge not to work!!! lol Hey dont feel bad, I had a car that used to do the same and got stranded aswell, only that I was about 15 miles away from the nearest gas station!

 

[GhostHoe]

Starving it of fuel like that is going to make the pump give out way faster, too.

 

[gtbigup01]

LOL that's funny. I hardly ever hear of people running out of fuel and not know on their cars. I did it in 07 when i purchased my first Motorcycle, it didn't come with a fuel guage so first time was to find out how far I could go on my bike with my riding style. Hey at least you got it figured out now. BTW I thought it was bad for injectors to have FI vehicle cmpletely run out out gas? May want to have them cleaned t prevent any further harm. GL

 

[blueflamed03]

Starving it of fuel like that is going to make the pump give out way faster, too.

yep. at 1/4 tank I always fill up. The cool gas sloshing over the fuel pump, keeps it cooler, and it will last longer. Running low, and getting to the bottom of the tank increases heat in the pump and the chance of picking up trash in the bottom.

 

[gtbigup01]

^ +1. Anyone ever wonder what the bttom of their tank looks like? I guess this is why they say it's bad to get gas right after the truck has delivered fuel. Some folks rush for the fresh gas, while I wait for all that shit to settle down in the underground strage before I get my gas