Noob needs help!

[salreplica88]

I recently took out my engine from my 93 GT, and put it into an 88 LX. Everything went smooth until I turned the key in the 88 and sparks flew from the battery! The 88 has more mods (body, brakes, 5 lug axles, suspension, tranny, rearend, not engine) than the 93 did, but I hooked up everything the way it came out of the 93. The 88 has a Black Magic fan kit, and I installed my MSD box from the other car, hooking it up the same way it came out.

Everything powers up when you turn the key, but no cranking from the starter. I think I may have hooked up the starter wrong, but I haven't been able to find any diagram for it, as on the solenoid, or for the starter itself. I also realized that the case on the alternator was cracked, so I stole the old one, but I couldn't get one of the clips out of it, so I cut the clip with the 2 wires, but then got called away for a work emergency and had zero time to mark it. I do remember one of the wires being silver.

I also can't install the o2 sensors. The H pipe is too close to the bellhousing. (JBA shorties, Lakewood housing) Can I relocate the holes for them without affecting anything?

Any insight would be very greatly appreciated!

 

[jrichker]

See the diagrams at the bottom of this post for proper starter wiring on 92-93 cars.

No Crank checklist for 5.0 Mustangs

Since some of the tests will bypass the safety interlocks, make sure that the car is in neutral and the parking brake is set. Becoming a pancake isn’t part of the repair process…

Check battery, terminal connections, ground, starter relay switch (also known as solenoid) and starter in that order. The clamp on with 2 bolts battery terminal ends are a know problem causer.

A voltmeter is handy if you are familiar with how to use it to find bad connections. Measure the voltage drop across a connection while trying to start the car: more than .5 volts across a connection indicates a problem.
See http://www.fluke.com/application_notes/automotive/circuit.asp?AGID=1&SID=103 for help for help troubleshooting voltage drops across grounds.

1.) Will the car start if it is jumped? Then clean battery terminals and check battery.

2.) Check the battery to engine block ground, and the ground behind the engine to the firewall.

3.) Jump the big terminals on the starter relay next to the battery with a screwdriver - watch out for the sparks! If the engine cranks, the starter and power wiring is good. The starter relay is also known as a starter solenoid.

4.) Then pull the small push on connector (small red/blue wire) off the starter solenoid (Looks like it is stuck on a screw). Then jump between the screw and the terminal that is connected to the battery. If it starts, the relay is good and your problem is in the rest of the circuit.

5.) Remember to check the ignition switch, neutral safety switch on auto trans and the clutch safety switch on manual trans cars. If they are good, then you have wiring problems.
Typical start circuit...
Diagram courtesy of Tmoss &Stang&2birds

See http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80195963.gif for 88-90 year cars
See http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80195964.gif for 91-93 year cars.
See http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/1d/db/3c/0900823d801ddb3c.jsp for 94-95 model cars.

6.) The starter may be hung, loosen up the bolts that hold it on, and give it a good whack with a big hammer. Tighten up the bolts and try again.

7.) Pull the starter and take it to Autozone or Pep Boys and have them test it. Starter fails test, then replace it. If you got this far, the starter is probably bad.

Starter solenoid wiring for 86-91 Mustang

Starter solenoid wiring 92-93 Mustang or upgraded high torque mini starter.

 

[salreplica88]

Thanks for this info! I should have registered a long time ago.

1. Car has brand new Optima Red Top, but will check its power reserve.
2. The battery to engine ground is where I'll start, but come to think of it, this may be the problem, because I don't remember hooking one up. It's been awhile since I've worked on it, and it's stored in my uncles garage, so will check in later.

But I am curious as to how sparks would be flying. Would that be from something not grounded? The sparks keep shooting as long as I hold the key to start position.

 

[Mustang5L5]

But I am curious as to how sparks would be flying. Would that be from something not grounded? The sparks keep shooting as long as I hold the key to start position.

Which terminal do they shoot from? Neg or POs???

 

[mustangfan1990]

Are you sure you hooked up the engine ground. It sounds like the cables arent tight

 

[salreplica88]

Which terminal do they shoot from? Neg or POs???

It's on the negative terminal.