View Full Version : One of my worst fears
Well, after talking to Mark, (The Traveling Builder), yesterday, I was able to complete what I thought were my final items before getting to a first start. By the way, Mark was amazing. Nothing that is going wrong is his fault. He helped me get some clarity on how to proceed. Anyhow, I removed the plugs, and pulled the fuel pump fuse, since there's currently no gas in the tank, so that I could crank the engine over to get oil circulation, check for oil pressure, and to get some PS fluid through the system to protect the pump when I do get it started. So, I connected the battery, and the first thing I noticed was that the turn signal indicator lights on the dash were both lit. Don't know if this is because the wires are not connected to bulbs or ??? Put in the key, turned to on and got what sounded like a pump motor in the engine compartment powering up, strange, turned the key to start and nothing, just a soft click. Tried it again and got the same result.
So I knew, if anything would, the electrical was going to be my downfall, and unfortunately it appears I was correct, go figure. Now since I don't have a clue as to how to proceed, or what may be causing the problem, I'm kind of dead in the water.
If anyone has any thoughts on where I should check, I'd really appreciate it. I just don't know where the screw up might be. Thanks in advance.
One quick and easy check is your clutch safety switch - is it adjusted properly? If it's out of adjustment the car won't crank with the clutch pedal pressed.
Oh my God! I can't believe that I forgot that the clutch needed to be depressed to get the system to turn. I'm going to go back out in a few minutes, make an attempt depressing the clutch, and if it works, I'm going to go stand in a corner until I've sufficiently repented! This stage of the build has got me so concerned that I've been freaking out. RJD, I hope that is what it turns out to be, and if it is I owe you. Thanks.
Oh my God! I can't believe that I forgot that the clutch needed to be depressed to get the system to turn. I'm going to go back out in a few minutes, make an attempt depressing the clutch, and if it works, I'm going to go stand in a corner until I've sufficiently repented! This stage of the build has got me so concerned that I've been freaking out. RJD, I hope that is what it turns out to be, and if it is I owe you. Thanks.
I hope that's it brother!
toadster
03-25-2020, 05:53 PM
fingers crossed :)
Man am I glad that I have this forum, and everybody on here, because I know that everyone besides me has a functioning brain! Went back out, depressed the clutch, and it cranked over with no issues! Yeah!
RJD, thanks so much for seeing what I wasn't. Oh by the way, the pump motor that I heard that was kind of throwing me, since I had pulled the fuel pump fuse, turned out to be the ABS pump cycling. It's been sitting so long since I did the brake system, I was glad that the pump had not seized.
Now to break the "stay at home" order and go and get some gas, put everything back together, and see what happens! I feel just a tiny bit more confident than I did, so I just hope I did everything else well enough to get this thing started.
Thanks again.
Awesome!!! So happy for you.
GoDadGo
03-25-2020, 06:16 PM
EZ,
Don't feel bad, I did the same thing.
.You've Got This So Wrench On!
Steve
Thanks guys. Now if it doesn't rain tomorrow, I can roll this thing into the driveway, and maybe get it started. I figure if it sets on fire, I only want to loose the car and not the house too!
This is a point that I was starting to think I'd never reach. Thanks to everyone.
GoDadGo
03-25-2020, 07:26 PM
Wise Moving On Scooting The Sucker Outside!
We did our first start with a remote fuel tank and had two fire extinguishers handy also.
https://youtu.be/p-pvogd2Bj8
Good Luck From The Dark Dart Side!
Avalanche325
03-26-2020, 10:53 AM
If the engine hasn't been run, prime the oil pump before you crank the engine over. I see it is a Levy engine, so probably has been run.
Also, it is better if you fill your power steering without the pump running. Jack the front up. Fill the reservoir. Turn the steering wheel lock to lock until you stop getting bubbles while topping up as needed. With the pump running and a rack full of air, you create a lot of bubbles in the fluid.
Yes, first start outside is smart. A GoDadGo says, fire extinguishers ready, and people the know how to use them.
David Hodgkins
03-26-2020, 11:43 AM
Also, do a full inspection fro debris or TOOLS that you might have left in the engine bay. I remember one guy forgot he had a wrench on the main pulley he had used to prime the oil by hand and when he started to motor the wrench was still there and caused damage. Ouch
Be safe, and for gosh sakes TAKE VIDEO!! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_k8nJUZ7cU)
:)
TMartinLVNV
03-26-2020, 12:10 PM
EZ$ - I've done the same thing so many times! Sometimes it just takes walking away from a problem and coming back to it another day or making a post here from some fresh ideas. Glad it worked out for you.