Why would my car shut down after running tank very low and will not crank?

CATDADDY457

MEMBER
2003 HYUNDAI SONATA
178,000 MILES

Wife was driving with fuel light on and car died while driving. After putting a can and a half of fuel in, she ran the battery down trying to start it. Then got towed. Car has no fuel filter, did not see a relay so that just leaves the fuel pump, right? If you take paypal I will certainly donate $5. Thanks

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6 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

The pump may have frozen from running out of gas. Best thing to do here is to take flat of hand and hit gas tank on bottom. Sometimes they will work other times not. Your relay is in center of dash under radio. You can check fuel pressure and if it starts hard telling how long it will work.

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Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 AT 1:44 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hyundais are known to have faults with the EVAP system which would cause difficult starting after refilling.

Was the Check Engine Light indicating previously?

Yes, we do take Paypal for donations and thanks for the offer.

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Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 AT 2:21 PM

CATDADDY457

MEMBER
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No sir the light never came on and I tried twice to donate but paypal mus be doing website maintaince. If you give me an email address I can for sure send it from paypal through my ebay website. Or I will keep trying thanks

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Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 AT 2:28 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

I will let the management know about the problem with Paypal.

Since engine is cranking and not firing, you need to check if it is fuel or sparks that is missing.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

The above link should be helpful. If fuel is missing, you would need to test the fuel pressure and fuel pump operations.

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Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 AT 2:46 PM

CATDADDY457

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Guys thanks, I charged the battery, hit the bottom of the gas tank a few times and tried to start it. I think the starter is bad because it just spins and doesn't try to start. When I hit the gas tank something in there was bouncing around.I will have to check it out. I tried again to donate but a page comes up with 2 car pros the page you were looking for does not exist. An email address will make it happen for sure. Thanks again.