Amazing feature - or coincidence ?

[ivo316]

1987 - 316 - M10 engine - Carburated

Something happened today, I ran out of gas, I was broke and went to collect some money from a customer, on my way back I got home to grab a bite, then when I was going to go to the gas station the car would not crank, I turned the key and NOTHING, I removed the air filter, pumped the accel. manually and NO GAS, so I grabbed my gas can and went and got 1 gallon of gas, added it to the tank wondering why it wouldn't crank, TURNED THE KEY and still NOTHING.
I checked all the fuses and they were all ok.
Then I removed the fuel hose and sucked until the gas got there, I also used a syringe to fill the carb, then got to the key again and it cranked.
CONCLUSION. It seems my car has a sensor of some sort that prevents it from cranking if the carb or fuel lines are empty.:o
Or it was a wierd glitch that just happened at the same time.
I just wanted to let you all know about this just in case it applies to fuel injected sixes. ;)

[blunttech]

something else is wrong

[nando]

I just wanted to let you all know about this just in case it applies to fuel injected sixes. ;)

nope. ran my car out of gas a few times.. it cranks normally, just no starting. one time it finally died just as I rolled into the station. :D

[ivo316]

Seems like it I just needed someone to tell me E30's don't have that kind of sensors, it's night time here, I'll check again all electrics in the morning, for loose wires and the starter motor, something I did not put in the post, I shorted the starter with a screwdriver and it cranked (with gas in the tank but fuel line empty).
So I thought it cut the electric supply from the relay box.
Well, things will be easier to check in daylight.