Engine Malfunction (CEL) due to Low Fuel?

[miller]

Has anyone had their X5 or X5M jump into limp mode when it's out of fuel?

Here's why I ask:

Driving to work this morning, I was on the second fuel warning (displaying "-- miles to empty") and going up a slight incline, barely any throttle, and the truck started jolting and fell on it's face. The "Engine Malfunction - Reduced Engine Power" warning popped up and the truck would barely run, let alone produce power. Coasted to a stop and the truck stalled. It would restart but fail to idle. I threw in a few gallons of fuel and it eventually fired back up after 2 tries. Limp mode went away but it still displays a CEL. I figure the CEL will clear after a few miles/key cycles if the low fuel was the cause of it all.

I am aware that running out of fuel could case any number of errors (misfire, fuel pressure, etc.), but I've never had a vehicle be so dramatic about running out of fuel.

Any insight?

[mrmomo313]

dont drive with such little fuel!!! thats my advice haha.

[miller]

It was the low fuel. The "regular" CEL went away after 5 key cycles. Lesson learned, the fuel gauge is quite accurate.

Granted, I am impressed by the tech on this thing and I understand it is a "high performance" powertrain, but why in the hell can't it just run out of fuel like a normal vehicle!? You know, where it just stops running. Not throw a hissy fit and enter limp mode.

[Jimshorts]

Originally Posted by miller

It was the low fuel. The "regular" CEL went away after 5 key cycles. Lesson learned, the fuel gauge is quite accurate.

Granted, I am impressed by the tech on this thing and I understand it is a "high performance" powertrain, but why in the hell can't it just run out of fuel like a normal vehicle!? You know, where it just stops running. Not throw a hissy fit and enter limp mode.

My truck is in the shop right now for this...
Same exact symptoms. It just recently started to happen to me. I usually run the fuel really low when I go racing and I had no issues. But lately as soon as I get low on fuel the same bucking and misfire issues occur with my truck spitting the CEL and 5 or 6 different codes.

Shop called me yesterday and said the truck was running lean and that they are replacing some things. The tech that I have didnt exactly know what was being replaced but I should hear back from them today. Ill keep you updated miller.

Had the truck in the shop last week and they couldnt figure out the issue and said nothing was wrong. This shouldnt happen just from being low on gas that makes no sense at all. At first I thought I might have gotten a bad tank of gas and that there is mwater mixed in my gas tank which would have the misfire issues. Like I said should find out more today.

Would love to get this squared away... my tune is just dying to go into the truck!

[Stockton]

May I enquire as to your gender?



Hehehe.

[miller]

Originally Posted by Stockton

May I enquire as to your gender?



Hehehe.

WTF does that have to do with anything?!

Anyway, Jimshorts, it seems your issue may be different/worse as they have determined your rig is leaning out. You could have a bad fuel pump, and its symptoms get worse when it is starved for fuel.

Mine, on the other hand, seems to be running pig rich judging by the state of my exhaust tips. I haven't and I am not going to pull a plug to check for sure. This is the first occurrence of these symptoms and I really do believe I ran it out of fuel. All warnings are gone and the truck has run normally since I added fuel.

Do keep us posted in case any of us have these issues down the road.

[Jimshorts]

Originally Posted by miller

WTF does that have to do with anything?!

Anyway, Jimshorts, it seems your issue may be different/worse as they have determined your rig is leaning out. You could have a bad fuel pump, and its symptoms get worse when it is starved for fuel.

Mine, on the other hand, seems to be running pig rich judging by the state of my exhaust tips. I haven't and I am not going to pull a plug to check for sure. This is the first occurrence of these symptoms and I really do believe I ran it out of fuel. All warnings are gone and the truck has run normally since I added fuel.

Do keep us posted in case any of us have these issues down the road.

Will do... Haven't heard back from them so guessing whatever they replaced didnt fix the issue.

[az34]

How can one can run out of fuel in the USA where there's a fuel station at almost every street corner.

[Jimshorts]

Originally Posted by az34

How can one can run out of fuel in the USA where there's a fuel station at almost every street corner.

I intentionally drive around with low gas. It's the only way to keep myself in check from romping on it all the time. With low gas I try to make it last... a full tank I floor it whenever possible(its hard to resist).

[mrmomo313]

Originally Posted by miller

It was the low fuel. The "regular" CEL went away after 5 key cycles. Lesson learned, the fuel gauge is quite accurate.

Granted, I am impressed by the tech on this thing and I understand it is a "high performance" powertrain, but why in the hell can't it just run out of fuel like a normal vehicle!? You know, where it just stops running. Not throw a hissy fit and enter limp mode.

Because its more than a normal vehicle, its a ///Monster

[Jimshorts]

Been 4 days truck is still in the shop.

[Stockton]

Originally Posted by miller

WTF does that have to do with anything?!

Anyway, Jimshorts, it seems your issue may be different/worse as they have determined your rig is leaning out. You could have a bad fuel pump, and its symptoms get worse when it is starved for fuel.

Mine, on the other hand, seems to be running pig rich judging by the state of my exhaust tips. I haven't and I am not going to pull a plug to check for sure. This is the first occurrence of these symptoms and I really do believe I ran it out of fuel. All warnings are gone and the truck has run normally since I added fuel.

Do keep us posted in case any of us have these issues down the road.

Seems the fairer gender likes to drive around on fumes. You missed the joke.

Anyway, driving on fumes allows more sediment to potentially clog fuel pump and is bad for pump as it needs gas to help cool itself. My guess would be gridded up fuel filter and or problem with fuel pump.

[Jimshorts]

The dealership called me right at 5 to let me know the truck was finally done.

The tech could hear a vacuum leak. He did a smoke test and found out that my crank case vent lines were cracked and leaking air into the system. Replaced it all under warranty and it runs like a dream now. Even on no gas.

[95 Z/28 LT1]

Originally Posted by Jimshorts

The dealership called me right at 5 to let me know the truck was finally done.

The tech could hear a vacuum leak. he did a smoke test and found out that my crack case vent lines were cracked and leaking air into the system. Replaced it all under warranty and it runs like a dream now. Even on no gas.

There's a recall out for this, I just heard about it yesterday. I'm not sure if it covers all years or not.

[E70MGU]

I had the engine light pop up last week. Low Fuel level sensor and brittle wiring was replaced.

[Spaceballs]

Originally Posted by 95 Z/28 LT1

There's a recall out for this, I just heard about it yesterday. I'm not sure if it covers all years or not.

It does cover the '10 model, as I had mine done recently. Surprised it wasn't picked up by the selling dealer .

[Marco Sousa]

my 2012 X5 35i was showing 1/8 fuel left in the tank when it wouldn't start, after running a few checks concluded that I was out of gas, added a few gallons to the tank and it started but misfires allover the place.
any ideas ?