Two Car Problems

[EvianBaby]

Yesterday I ran out of fuel (I know, I know). Since then the engine warning light has been on and I have no throttle when I first turn the engine on. I have to turn it off and restart the car.

I've also been noticing a smell recently (since before I ran out of fuel). It smells a bit like acetone. As far as I'm aware there's nothing in the car that smells like this so I'm starting to worry something might be leaking into the car.

Any idea about either issue?

[tonyav]

Evian do you mean that the engine will not rev but the engine is ticking over when you first start the car but when you restart it the engine will rev as normal ?. What car is it ?.
If it has a fly by wire throttle ( no throttle cable, the throttle is operated by an electronic signal from the pedal to the fuel inlet ) then it sounds like there is a problem with the signal being sent or received.
Try disconnecting the car battery for 20 mins and the reconnect it, this will reset the ECU and if you are lucky and it's just a glitch reset the throttle signal, if not then you may need a new throttle pedal but the only way to know this is to have the car plugged in ( to a computer ) and get the fault code from it.
The smell, I have no idea ( unless it's something burning / burned out ).

[EvianBaby]

Hi Tony, that's exactly it. Engine ticks over but won't rev until I restart the car.

It's a 2003 Golf 1.6 petrol.

I'm going to have to take it into a garage, I just like to try and get some idea of the problem before I go in the hope of not getting ripped off.

I actually just found a tub of engine oil behind the seat. It wasn't leaking or anything but maybe that's the smell.

[tonyav]

I suspect that they will have to plug it in ( the car ) to read the fault code though Evian. If the engine management light is on it will register a code in the ECU.
Don't let them rip you off.

[EvianBaby]

That's my problem Tony, I never know if they're being straight with me or not and I've been caught out before :(

[chrisgel]

Just be aware that an acetone smell is sometimes associated with electrics overheating. Not trying to frighten you but point out that a burnt out electrical circuit might be the cause of the engine not running properly.

[tonyav]

If you can Evian let me know what the garage say's the problem is.

[EvianBaby]

I'm certain the mechanical problem is down to running out of fuel somehow but when I take it in I'll mention the smell too.

Thanks for the answers, I'm going to stop in on my way home so I'll let you know what they say.

[chas2008]

running out of fuel will have registered in the ECU as a fault (ie low fuel pressure) hence the warning light on.

[EvianBaby]

They looked at it, reset all the electrics and problem solved. And when he found out the company I work for gets all it's hire vans from their joint company he let me go without paying. Result!

[snags]

So the smell of Acetone wasn't lingering from where you were painting your toenails up on the dashboard whilst driving to work?

[EvianBaby]

Hadn't thought of that Snags. I did a full head of highlights on my way to London sat, that must be it.

[tonyav]

Good thats sorted then.