So, I just replaced the engine in my car over the weekend, I used all my orig. intake manifold componets, I changed the timing belt/tensioner/water pump, spark plugs-cap-rotor-wires, fuel filter etc..... Now, I am unable to start the car, I am kind of at a loss on where to start looking. It cranks and cranks, Never once catches. It sounds like either no fuel, or no spark. Does thes car have a "auto fuel shutoff" like some other cars?

Thanks for the pointers.......

 

pull of the gas line that runs to your fuel rail, and have a friend turn the key on,is there gas?? These cars have so saftey shut off swithch.
If you have fuel do you have spark, get a friend, pull a wire off,put a plug into the wire and hold the rubber piece of the plug, try to start the car, dont shock you self.....do you have spark?
Theres a little ground that go on to the thermostat housing, did you hook it back up, its a little 10mm bolt.
Have you double checked your timing??

Try these and let use no.

 

here's what you do, take a spark plug and attach it to the dizzyhold it against the engine head and crank the car. If no spark, check for fuel. There are fuel pressure gauges available at any store, should be around 35-45psi. If oyu have both there's a good chance that your timing is 180* off.

 

I'll double check the timimg. If I was 180 degrees off, is it possible to damage the valves? I spun it over by hand prior to trying to start. I had no "Issues" with obvious contact. If the timing is 180degrees off, Is it usually just the distributor rotor? I am sure the engine crank / camshaftwas not moved during the change.... And even if it did wiggle a little, it most certianly did not move 180deg.
I'll go through and double check all my grounds, I'll also make sure fuel is entering the rail. I hadthe fueldrained when the fuel rail was off, Plus the filter was changed.

 

the disributor can only go in one way, it would have to be off 180 at eh belt.

 

Is it possible to turn the crankshaft over seperately from the camshaft without any resistance from the valves contacting the pistons?

I was dead sure my "white line" matched ion the crank pulley, and the cam shaft belt sprocket lines were flush with the head. The #1 piston was TDC. And the Dist. was pointing at the #1

Now I am stumped.....

 

Before doing anything, I would double check to make sure that your motor is timed properly, and that you've got the new belt on there correctly. Even if its one tooth off it probably won't start

Then double check the firing order.

Whats the history on the motor, any chance you got screwed into buying a P.O.S?

When you turn the keyto the on position, what happens? You should hear the fuel pump priming for a second or two while the CEL is on, then as it stops priming, you'll hear a click as the CEL goes off. Ifnone of this happens, its probaby a bad main relay.

You need three things to start a car, Fuel, Spark, and Compression.

Crank it, then pop the return line off the back of the fuel rail (look close, it says "F/I Return..." on it. If theres fuel in it after triyng to start the car, then you've obviously got fuel. Or like Roto said, pick up a fuel pressure gauge, mine was only like 40 bucks, easy to install, and looks pretty sweet

If theres fuel, check for spark like Roto said. Pull out a plug, stick the a plug wire onto it, and tap it on the cylinder head.

If you've got fuel and spark, then its time to run a compression test and make sure the motor is good

 

Thanks. I'll look at it this weekend.

 

Hey guys,

I have been playing with this problem. I have concluded that I have no spark, and no fuel. When I turn the key I do not hear my fuel pump for 2 sec. I have checked all the fuses. All are good. The car cranks and cranks no problem. What do the fuel and ignition system have in common? The computer? I double checked connections on that also. All are on correctly and tight. I plugged in my OBD II code reader to try to read codes. All I keep getting is a "FAIL" message.

I also have an alarm system, It was installed on the car before I bought it. It is an older alpine. I believe it has a disableing function. But I thought it would disable the starter not the computer.....
I am searching for a book on line to check it out.

Please help!

 

Where is the PGM-FI Relay? I have torn the car apart looking for it.....
I do not think it will help, especially since it has no spark, I believe this relay only effects the fuel system.