Hi. Today I noticed my digital dash was flashing the little gas pump icon and there was a beep and the display showed 56 miles to empty. I had only travelled 316 miles on a full tank but I decided to pull into the first gas station and fill up.
It ran fine waiting in line, and when I finally got to a pump and shut off the engine, I realized I left my bank card at home. So I decided to go on about my business but the car would not start! (cranked but wouldn't fire up).It seemed like it was out of gas, or the fuel pump was faulty. So I got a cash-card and filled the tank and it started right up, but it only took 14.5 gallons to fill.
It's been a couple of years since I have run it so low, but I remember putting 18 gallons in there once before (and it was not empty at that time).
So why would it run dry at 14.5? I have shut off and restarted about 5 times since then and it always starts right up and there is no problem while driving.
Is there a pick-up tube that can come apart?
What could possibly cause this? Thanks- Brian

4 gallons is quite a bit left for it to stall out. From time to time I run mine way lower than I should, I have put 18+ gallons in it. 19 gallons seems to be what mine holds, as when I swapped the fuel pump I put in 2 gallons and went to fill it up and it took a little over 17.

The fuel pump does have a sock/strainer on it, but it isn't that far away from the bottom of the pump, it only adds maybe 1/4 of an inch.

It was on level ground at the gas station. I just am baffled really because I too have added 18 gallons before. Now I am concerned about taking long trips, I will have to fill every 14 gallons!
I had JUST gotten the first warning.
It was close to 100 degrees today, maybe somehow that was a factor.
Maybe with the car parked, ignition off the pump somehow lost it's prime with the fuel level so low and the ambient temp so high? I really can't figure it out.

Are you sure it filled or did the pump just click off?

When is the last time you replaced the fuel filter? Maybe you had a slight clog?

Im thinking it clicked off and u didnt try to continue. if mine clicks off its usually around 14gallons so that sounds about right.

316 with 56 to go! nice gas mileage! If im at 316 im putting in 17 gallons easily.

basically if u drove 300+ miles the tank needs 17+ gallons of gas, so if it clicks off keep making it pump cuz it aint full. just watch the level if u see gas come up stop pumping.

Thanks for the replies. I just took it to the neighborhood gas station to see if I could fit more in there (it is 65 degrees out now) and it only took 1.4 Gallons after driving 15 miles, so it is not a matter of me not filling it all the way before.
Also, in the past the low fuel warnings began WELL before empty. I thought I was being careful, going in to fill it up at the very first warning, and the car stalls out at the pump.
I'm thinking I might need a 2 1/2 gallon gas can in the trunk the next time I take a road trip.-Brian

when you say well before empty how many miles was that?
I know mine will come on when I am over 300 miles and the fillup is 17+ gallons

if you went 310 miles since last fill up and only fit 14.5 gallons in the tank that means for that entire 310 miles you averaged 21.3 mpg which is pretty impossible unless you drove on level uncrowded highways. now 17 gallons puts you at 18mpg which is normal for non highway travels.
also if your tank acts like its empty with 14.5 gallons gone your range would only be 261 miles using 18mpg.
Fill a 5 gallon gas can up and use that to pour into your tank, I bet it takes most of it.

I'm going to disagree with the masses here...

Knowing that you have a MGM, I'm going to assume your car has a 2.73 rear axle. Therefore 21-27mpg highway is not unusual or impossible.

I think you have a clogged or improperly installed fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, or it was just a one-off event. Try to repeat the conditions (50ish miles on the digi-dash till empty, same gas pump, etc) and see what happens.

Yes, I'm thinking maybe I will run it low again to see what happens, keeping a gas can in the trunk. I really need this car to be reliable on the long trips.
I replaced the fuel filter when I bought it 25K miles ago. Maybe I'll replace that again.

Yes, I get 27+ MPG all day long on the freeways and 75% of that tank was freeway with no significant traffic.

It just doesn't add up. Thanks-Brian

ah! way better gas mileage. but that makes it even worse as you should have even more gas in the tank.

so u would have to assume the tank was not empty having 4+ gallons still in it and there was some unknown fault instead.

Would a clogged fuel vent tube cause an incomplete fill up? Do these cars have one? Maybe I'm getting my forums mixed up. If so, apologies.

Yes and yes.

All indications are that there was 4 gallons felt in the tank when the car failed to start after stopping (at the gas station). After a fill up it started right up. I will figure this out and post here. Thank-Brian