Ford Repair: 98 Ford Taurus Wagon, long funnel, ford taurus

Question
My husband drove the car out of gas.  Now it won't start.  He added some gas to the tank and the car still won't start.  You can hear the normal noises associated with starting the car it just won't engage.  Is there something we have to do to get the fuel to the engine so it will start or a switch of some sort?  Any suggestions will help.  We don't know enough about car mechanics to figure this out.  My nephew suggested pushing the car forward to the downward slope of the driveway so the fuel would have a downward flow to the engine.  Help.

Answer
Patricia,

Most likely the fuel pump failed. Put a long funnel into the gas filler neck. Now put your ear into the funnel and listen while someone else turns the key on. Do not crank the engine, just turn it to the run position. You should hear an electric motor humming for 2 seconds after the key is turned on.  If not then the fuel pump is not running. It is very common for the pump to fail on Taurus so I would not be surprised. Also, the gas tank must be dropped to change it out.