3.2 Swap - Engine Won't Start!

[IROC]

I am on the home stretch on swapping a 3.2 into my '76, and with nervous excitement turned the key for the first time last night. No joy. It cranks just fine and has good fuel pressure, but it doesn't appear to have any spark. The only thing I had a chance to check was power to the coil and verified 12V to the coil when the key is on.

Any obvious things to check? This is my first involvement with Motronics....

Thanks,

Mike

[ChrisBennet]

Is the reference sensor distance gapped correctly (0.8mm)? I missed this once and had to have my car towed to my mechanic friend. A little embarrassing but he didn't tease me at least.
-Chris

[Rick Lee]

Fuel pump? DME relay? Harness connection all correct? Send a PM to Marcesq.

[IROC]

I checked the sensor gap when I installed the flywheel and it appeared to be OK.

The fuel pump is fine. I actually found this out the hard way when one of my fuel lines wasn't tightened all the way on the fuel filter.

One thing I may have done - reading the ultimate source of 911 maintenance info (my Haynes manual) - is that I *may* have accidently hooked up the speed and reference sensor connectors incorrectly. I may have the speed sensor plug on the reference sensor connector and vice versa. None of the connectors on the harness were marked and I pretty much made educated guesses as to where they went. All of them are pretty intuitive except for these two... I'm going to re-check that this evening.

The DME really was good when it came out of the donor car a couple of months ago. That is something that has already crossed my mind, though.

Thanks for the comments. Any additional insights would be welcomed.

Mike

[Jeff]

Mike, Did you bypass the alarm? The DME won't let the car run if the alarm is armed/ active.

[IROC]

Originally posted by C U L8R
Mike, Did you bypass the alarm? The DME won't let the car run if the alarm is armed/ active.

Alarm? What's that? I wish it was something that simple. My car doesn't even have a steering wheel lock, let alone an alarm.

Mike

[Dan Owens]

Mike,

Definitely reversing the speed and reference sensor will prevent your car for starting and it's really easy to do. Just swap them and crank it and you'll know immediately. Also check your ground wires from the manifold to the car.

[dad911]

I did it too. Swap speed & reference sensor connectors.

[IROC]

Originally posted by Dan Owens
Mike,

Definitely reversing the speed and reference sensor will prevent your car for starting and it's really easy to do. Just swap them and crank it and you'll know immediately. Also check your ground wires from the manifold to the car.

Cool! I'm going to swap them as soon as I get home. The ground wires to the manifold are in good shape.

Thanks for all the help!

Mike

[MMARSH]

Originally posted by IROC
One thing I may have done - reading the ultimate source of 911 maintenance info (my Haynes manual) - is that I *may* have accidently hooked up the speed and reference sensor connectors incorrectly. I may have the speed sensor plug on the reference sensor connector and vice versa. None of the connectors on the harness were marked and I pretty much made educated guesses as to where they went. All of them are pretty intuitive except for these two... I'm going to re-check that this evening.

That is my suggestion, I did that once. switched them and the car fired right up. Good luck.

[IROC]

This was the problem. Once I swapped these two plugs, it coughed a couple of times and fired up!!!

Life is good again.

Thanks for all y'all's help!!

Mike