Car wouldn't run with a 1/4 tank of gas

[BadAndy72]

I was taking my 05 in to get the front suspension TSB done and it started sputtering like it was out of gas (it would start but sputter and die). The gauge said I had a quarter tank & 83 miles 'til empty. I checked my error codes w/ my Predator & had a '3rd gear error' and a 'pressure control solenoid A fault'. I didn't think it would work but I put a gallon of gas in and it ran just fine. I filled it up (it took 11 gal) and dropped it off at the dealer with no other problems. They couldn't find any problems with it but I'm not sure that they actually ran it back down to a quarter tank (they said they did but you know how that goes). Anyone got any ideas on what was going on? It was pretty hot that day also so could I have had a vapor lock? Or would it maybe have something to do with the Mustangs having split tanks (is there more than one fuel pump that could've gone bad, etc.)? I did have the fuel tank replaced a month ago and haven't had any problems but I can't recall if I've dropped down to a quarter tank or not since then...

 

[mpentico]

My 2000 had a similar problem... it would not run below 1/4 of a tank.
It sputtered, coughed, and died.

I dropped the fuel tank and found what looked like mud around the intake filter on the pump.
The pump itself had 120K miles on it, and was basically shot.

Replaced the pump.... no more problems!

I'd have your dealer take a look.

 

[Kerrdogg]

In a recent Car and Driver they experience the same problem with an 05 convert, showed half tank, took 15 gallons of fuel, turns out to be a defective sending unit.