I have a 2001 Ram 2500 4x4 and here is what is happening (or has happened a few times) ...

Both times I had been down to almost empty with the DTE guage actually flashing 0 miles to empty, and then I fueled up. In about a day I would be driving along, usually braking to stop, and the truck would die and not start again, had to have it towed home.

It will start by using starting fluid (bypassing the glow plugs and yes I know this know could fry them) ... then it's fine unless I let it run almost dry again.

So I guess my question is ... is my fuel pump failing? Or ... am I dredging up sludge from the bottom of my tank when fuel is so low?

Any input anyone has would be great. I don't want to start replacing parts if they don't need replacing, and with the cost of fuel these days ... I need the most cost effective fix possible .... I miss my truck and am afraid to drive it anywhere

 

Forgot to mention 2 things ... my truck as roughly 167k on it and I have also been having an off and on problem with what I would call erratic reving, not sure if it's related.

 

Do you have a fuel pressure gauge installed. If not then you need to add one. It would nawer your question. Without it, start with a fuel filter.