Important! : Car Wont Start after I ran out of petrol (clifford alarm)

9th February 2011, 00:15

My car ran out petrol last week, right outside my house, so I thought I'd leave it until I needed to use it (which was today).

I went with my petrol tank to the petrol station and put like 4 pounds worth of petrol in and tried to fire my car up, it sounded like it was trying to start but wouldn't. I thought perhaps I should put more in so I stuck in another 5 pounds but still the same thing.

Just sounds like no petrol is getting to the engine. Now here's the thing I have a Clifford 650 alarm, and I'm thinking it may have something to do with that (maybe). As you know with Clifford Alarms to start the car up you put the key in and turn it, then press a button on the key fob alarm and then turn the key once again to start it up.

But today I noticed when i press the key fob once the key is in and turned nothing happens like it usually does. You usually here a click or something.

Also its like I can just put the key in and turn it and turn it to get the engine on (though it wont fire up).

Any ideas what my issue could be? Clifford Alarm or sumthing else

9th February 2011, 00:33

Can you hear the fuel pump priming? Maybe did something to the ecu running it dry.

9th February 2011, 03:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krys_23

Can you hear the fuel pump priming? Maybe did something to the ecu running it dry.

I gotta Pred ECU, so I dont think its that

anyone else

9th February 2011, 03:26

I'm sure its the alarm, there must be an easy way to reset it

9th February 2011, 03:56

Sounds like just an air lock in the system to me. There is a release valve on the right hand side of the fuel rail (as you look at the engine), press that in while someone turns the ignition key. Do it about 3 or 4 times and all the air should clear out. If your not getting fuel at the fuel rail then you can go down the lines of checking immobiliser / fuel pump / pump relay / ecu. Pretty sure that clifford won't have any affect on it as long as you have deactivated your immobiliser in the usual way..

9th February 2011, 08:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by outrage_uk

Sounds like just an air lock in the system to me. There is a release valve on the right hand side of the fuel rail (as you look at the engine), press that in while someone turns the ignition key. Do it about 3 or 4 times and all the air should clear out. If your not getting fuel at the fuel rail then you can go down the lines of checking immobiliser / fuel pump / pump relay / ecu. Pretty sure that clifford won't have any affect on it as long as you have deactivated your immobiliser in the usual way..

Ill give it a try mate. But the only reason I think the alarm may have something to do with it is. because usually the steps to turn the engine or are

1) unlock the car with the alarm
2) turn the key
3) then press the button on key fob (at this point the dash lights up and you can see how much petrol you got as the gauge rises etc, you also hear a click)
4) then turn the key again to start the engine

but at point 2 of the above the engine tries to start up (fails no fuel is getting to it), this shouldnt be happening, I also hear no click.

9th February 2011, 10:33

Fuel cut-off switch?

9th February 2011, 15:20

when you run out of fuel air wil be drawn into the lines, you need to get rid of this air before the car wil start. If it was me i would do as the guy above said and if once bled it dosnt work then check for a spark (obv make sure there is no petrol about). That way if you have fuel to the rail and a spark its not your immobiliser

9th February 2011, 15:21

Oh right I see. If the dash lights arn't coming on then it probably is immobiliser related. Your best bet would be to take it to the place that fit your clifford (or somewhere that installs them). Don't mention the running out of fuel, that's probably a coincidence and gives them a reason to say "its your fault it will be £300".

On my clifford (I think that was a 650), there was that flat/star button [ - * ] and you put your immobiliser code in that if it wasn't de-arming it's self or you took the battery out. Have you got one of those?