Help help help gang

[ConcreteCowboy]

Will a bad ignition relay cause the truck not to start? I just fused jumped it. And it cranks but does turn over. I checked every thing and even timed too.

[ConcreteCowboy]

Will a bad ignition relay cause the truck not to start? I just fused jumped it. And it cranks but does turn over. I checked every thing and even timed too.

It doesn't turn over sorry,

[finalfighter]

yes but that's probably not your problem. so i think we need to back up a little and start with some basic questions.

first: does it turn over with the key?
second: does it have spark?
third: is it getting fuel?
fourth: have you popped the ecm open to see if its in good shape? also check all the fuses, clean all contacts.
fifth: manuel or auto? check the neutral safety.
sixth: pictures of the engine bay help a ton. please post some for us.


lets start with the above and go from there.

[ConcreteCowboy]

Well first off, I swapped the while harness from a automatic d50 to my manual max. When I turn key it cranks but doesnt turn engine. A buddy has said check neautral saftey also, but havnt had a chance to see where that is located. I have spark all the way to first spark plug. And I just TDC my distributor. So I will put up pics asap. Thanks gang

[SubGothius]

When I turn key it cranks but doesnt turn engine.

Could you clarify that? Cranking is turning the engine. Are you hearing the starter run, but it doesn't turn the engine (crank)? Or is it turning the engine (cranking) but not starting it up?

[ConcreteCowboy]

When I turn the key, it cranks. But doesn't start engine up. Have a brand new starter in also.

[camoit]

If you put in a harness from an automatic you need to tie the wires together that are for the ignition that would go to the neutral safety switch.
You can also use a jumper wire for testing from the battery to the coil and test for spark.
On the first gen it was under the passenger seat. Not sure about later models

[ConcreteCowboy]

I have a 1990, and I got spark all the way to first spark plug. Where is the neutral saftey switch located. I have a manual transmission.

[finalfighter]

sense you put a harness in from an automatic the neutral safety switch would normally be hooked up to the transmission underneath the driver side. its a round three wire connector. i cant remember witch ones to jump but thats where the plug is found.

[ConcreteCowboy]

Does any body know where the neautral saftey switch wires run off the harness. Or have. Picture what they look like.

[Giovanni89]

The neutral safety switch does not kill spark, it only kills power to the starter solenoid. Otherwise your truck would shut off once you put it in gear.
Check for spark. I always recommend using an inline spark tester. I would also clean the plug wires and distributor cap with wd40 and a clean rag. Dirt/salt buildup on the wires can cause cross arcing.
If you have spark, try a shot of starter fluid in the intake and see if the engine stumbles for a second. If not, it's probably way off time or there is another mechanical problem; low compression etc...

[ConcreteCowboy]

Right now I'm waiting on part, a ignition relay. Would that cause the car not to crank. If it is the saftey switch does anybody have a idea. Where those wires would be located on wire harness. I'm having trouble uploading pictures on here. If anybody Can PM me, that would help big time. Just want to get this bad boy going g so I can burn rubber yeeeehaww.

[ConcreteCowboy]

I figured out that the harness I have is a 2.4 efi harness. And I swapped it to a 2.6 manual motor. Would that be possible and compatible. Or is that the reason its not cranking. Because computer is reading the fuel injected and mines is carburated.

[geezer101]

Well that is the main issue. The are a bunch of input/outputs that run through the ECU and they dictate when the ignition should fire and run power to EFI fuel pump relays etc. Some of the connections are generic like alternator,ignition switch and starter motor so they will hook up to the harness but a lot are going nowhere. I'd be surprised if you had working gauges...

[ConcreteCowboy]

Would I be able to jus pull those connectors that I'm not using from the ecu, such as the ones from the efi.