Any ideas why my Taco died on the highway?

Yesterday driving home from Boston all was normal and I pulled off the Mass Pike to take a piss and get a coffee. Pulling up to the McDonalds I suddenly notice the steering is heavy. The truck just shut off. No sputter, no shakes, just off.
No CEL.
It has battery, it cranks just doesn’t turn over.
It has gas in it.

I’m at a loss for hat may have gone out. I would expect a fuel system issue to be a growing problem. Power loss, sputtering type stuff.

State Farm was actually fantastic and covered the tow 45 miles back to my town and mechanic. So I’ll know soon enough.

 

fuel pump

 

I was going to guess at fuel pump/fuse or relay? Keep us posted.

 

the mechanic will probably check the fuel pressure to see if the pump failed right off the bat

 

I’ll third the fuel sending unit.

 

The fuel sending unit is the float sensor that is connected to the gas gauge. So that's different than what everyone else is suggesting (fuel pump). But the fuel sending unit is a good suggestion on its own because then the gauge would show gas when there isn't any! But if the OP keeps track of how many miles on a tank he'd notice pretty quick if there was a sending unit/gauge problem.

 

For the truck to just shut off? Hmmm.... I'm gonna speculate an electronic relay of some sort. For a fuel pump to just quit at freeway speed is pretty random. To see a Toyota P.U. on a tow truck is even more random. With no check engine light the chances of mechanical failure seem pretty unlikely. Though in my experience that kind of failure is usually timing belt related but since these are chain driven, that ain't it unless your tensioner just happened to die. Whatever it is I hope it isn't serious and am very curious what you find out. Good luck!

 

Marked for update...

 

I was getting low. Gauge read about 1/8. I died next to a gas station so my first move was putting a gallon in before calling for a tow.

 

Good Luck! Hope it's nothing major...

Were you able to see if there were any DTCs?

 

x2

don't know too much about fuel systems but OP's description of what happened sounds exactly like what happens when my buddy runs his F250 outa gas (a frequent occurrence with a 460 big block and the way he drives). just sputters and dies. period. that sounds like a good suggestion, interested to see what the problem actually is.

 

2012 tells me everything. Secondary air thingy

 

Nope, I’ve replaced that twice. Air thingy puts the truck in limp mode. Not a no start condition.

 

Damn, then 2012 sucks even more then

 

I’ll bet you a 6 pack of beer you just ran out of gas, regardless that it said you had a little left. Seen it happen a few times on here. Same story each time.

Edit: wow I didn’t even fully read the post I quoted before replying. Been a long day. Disregard.

 

Letting your tank get that low is bad for keeping your pump cool,Over time you will ruin your pump.
Always keep at least 1/4 tank,then refuel.

 

That’s true, I could see that happening. Curious on the outcome.

 

now......that really sucks.......

hope you only ran outta fuel........

 

If you are running out of fuel that is very hard on the pump. The fuel in the tank helps keep the pump cool so running empty can easily over heat them causing failure.

 

Any word from the mechanic on diagnosis?