Another 'It's in, but it wont start thread' (3.2 swap)

[Shuie]

If Im getting a 12V reading between the lug on the starter and tranny ground strap, is it safe to assume that I have a good ground? The connection is tight. Im going to have this battery tested before I leave for work today.

[BURN-BROS]

Shuie,

How many spades are on the solinoid? i have seen some with two terminals. Placing the wire on the wrong terminal gave the same condition you described.

Also try tapping on the starter as it may be stuck from setting.

Also check what voltage you get when you apply load to the starter. You will be looking for too much drop.

[dezzmo]

Shuie,

do you have a 2 battery setup like I do, or are you just running one?

Just curious.

[Shuie]

Aaron, there's a single spade on the starter. I hooked my meter up to the ground strap and the starter cable and got a constant 12 Volts when I turned the key. There was no voltage drop that I could see on the meter.

Tim, the battery is a single Oddessey PC680 dry cell lightweight unit.

I'll have the battery checked tonight on my way out of town and try this again next weekend when I get back. thanks again for the offers to help, everyone.

[CliffBrown]

Originally posted by Shuie
If Im getting a 12V reading between the lug on the starter and tranny ground strap, is it safe to assume that I have a good ground? The connection is tight. Im going to have this battery tested before I leave for work today.

Sherman

I'm going to assume when you say 12v your just generalizing the exact voltage.

But, in case that's a bad assumption on my part, a reading of 12.0v would indicate a dead battery, 12.8v would indicate a full charge. 12.0v could easily result in the conditions you're describing.

A good practice is to keep a battery charger hooked to the battery when trying to troubleshoot a situation like this.

[Shuie]

Cliff, It was exactly 12V on my meter. Auto parts store confirmed that the battery is garbage.

FWIW, this is the 2nd PC680 that has died on me. The battery is easier to change than the starter at this stage, so at least I can be glad about that for now.

Shuie. Sent you a OM. Call me tomorrow. Too tired tonite to type.

[Shuie]

Did I ever tell anyone that this place rules?

I had my battery tested at a 2nd store and they said it was okay, but that it needed to be charged. I put the battery on the charger for a few hours last night and this morning, I got out a mirror to get a good look at my starter. Low and behold, there is another set of spades on the solenoid. After swapping the yellow wire over to one of these spades, the engine started to turn over.

Im off to build oil pressure and attempt to start the car.

Thanks again, everyone!

Congrads! Thats what happen to me. Now go out and enjoy!

[BRPORSCHE]

Shuie this will be a great day if you get your motor turning, and LSU winning!

[dezzmo]

Is that the greatest feeling in the world when you here it turn over for the first time?!!

Your just about there Shuie, just keep us posted on your progress.

[BURN-BROS]

Shuie.

Glad you found it! BTDT

Let us know how the test drive goes.

[Shuie]

Oil pressure built up fine after letting the motor turn over a few dozen times. The engine would not fire after I plugged my DME relay back in, so I tried swapping the connections for the flywheel reference sensor wires. After that, it tried to start, stumbled for a second or two and then died. Tried a few more times and got the same results. Its almost like the timing is way off, or I messed up the plug firing order. The wires are precut to the correct length and the distributor cap is numbered for each cylinder, so Im fairly certain the plug wires are hooked up correctly. IIRC, I don't have to set the ignition timing on A DME car. I did get it to run for a few seconds, but I have to press the accelerator while cranking the car to get any kind of results.

Maybe the plugs? I forgot to change those while the motor was out

Any thoughts?

TIA

[dezzmo]

What fuel pump are you using? If you have the correct pump for a 3.2 then you should never have to touch the pedal to start it.

Maybe a pinched fuel line?

[Shuie]

fuel pump is a brand new 3.2 unit. My fuel lines are newly fabricated and perfect, nothing pinched anywhere. Weird thing is that I dont smell fuel at all. I can tell its circulating through the lines when I wire the pump to a switched 12V, but Im not sure what's happening as I turn the key with it wired normally.

Should my test light pulse as the engine cranks if I hook it to the green/red fuel pump wire from the DME?

[dezzmo]

I'm not sure if your test light will pulse when it's hooked to green/red, but it should at least read 12v.

Tomorrow morning I'll take a look at my car and see if there's something I'm overlooking with your setup.

It has to be some small detail somewhere.

[BURN-BROS]

check fuel preasure at the engine and have a buddy crank while you monitor. Also, if the engine wants to fire with the throttle pressed by all means press the accelerator. The efi cars need some help when you disconect the battery but should smooth out in a couple of minutes of running.

Your almost there.

[Shuie]

Car is running. Thanks guys.

Rear brakes, shifter linkage, and clutch cable helper assembly are all that it needs. Should be driveable next weekend.

COOL! What was it?

I cant tell you how much fun I have been having since my car has been finished. Glad to hear yours is also there!

[BRPORSCHE]

wish I could help ya out with the Rear Brakes sherman. After working on my 73 I could do it blind folded.