Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting NEW engine but have Elecritical prob...HELP!!

Everything is hooked up, ready to turn it over for the first time, turn the key to the 2nd position(just to where I have power, lights, windows etc) and I hear 3 clicks (click click click) coming from the center of the upper intake manifold (where the injectors are), at least, that's where it "sounded" like the clicks were coming from. I turn the key to crank the engine and....NOTHING, no noise, no nothing. So to me it sounds like a ground somewhere or short.

Any ideas?? I'm so close....so damn close!!! Help me out here guys. Thanks!!!!!!!!

*UPDATE*
Ok, so I am sitting in the car just pondering as to what the problem could be, at the same time I have the clutch in and the key in the 2nd position so the dash lights are on with the open door signal going off and I'm going through the gears, shifting 1, 2 , 3 etc I get to reverse and all the lights dim, radio goes off and the door signal drones, take it our of reverse, everything comes back!, go back into reverse, same thing! WTF!!!!!????????

So its seems that I have a BIG electrical issue...can anyone help??? Thanks agin guys.

I'm not sure of its the same problem i had when i replaced my first engine. I got the engine from a 98 contour, it bolted in but wouldn't start. It was an electrical issue don't exactly what it was, the mechanic tried for 2 days to get it to work with no luck. Ended up returning the engine and rebuilding the old one. I remember the mechanic telling me that he could've got the electrical issue solved but it would've been lots of work and that it was easier and cheaper to rebuilt my old engine and put it back in. I'll try to get hold of him this week and get some answers.

Sounds like a wiring harness got pinched when the new engine was installed. get a flashlight and start inspecting the routing of all the harnesses. Start with the transmission
and reverse lights.

jeff

*ANOTHER UPDATE*
So I decided to take out my fiance's battery from her Civic and put that in. This time I didn't get the clicking noise and everything worked power wise. Gear in reverse was fine, high beams fine, etc etc, but still when I try to crank the engine nothing.
So I take my battery to checkers and did a test, bad cell. Got new battery, again, everything power wise is now fine but still not able to crank the engine. Does nothing, no sounds.

Wondering if it maybe the clutch pedal sensor, like it donsn't see that the clutch is pushed in and thus wont start the car???? maybe??? Very purplexing.

HELP!!! Still no luck. I don't even hear the starter motor or solenoid(spelling) engage....NOTHING! SILENCE!
Whats the deal? What would cause this? Would a bad PCM cause nothing to even engage? I NEED HELP!!

i have nothing useful to add other than i hope its just something relatively minor....probably wont be til monday afternoon before u get more help from here after everyone's had a chance to get back from their weekends and check in to the problems forum

could it be an ignition (starter or starter solenoid problem???

You're using the SVT motor right? Are you using the SVT PCM also? If you are, then it's probably because of the PATS.

I know nothing myself, but for some reason I have a gut feeling to start with the selinoid. Reminds me of a problem I had once and that is where it was traced to.

SVT motor yes, SVT PCM no, I'm using the stock SE PCM so I know it's not pats.
I am pretty sure it has something to do with the starter or the solenoid too as I dont hear them engage. I'll check it out tomorrow night. Not sure though what I'll be looking at once there off. Can they be tested at a checker/pepboys store??