i recently bought a high mileage 1989 rs w/305. stereo was wired incorrectly and the guage cluster was a mess. cleaned and checked guage cluster. replaced the tach. rewired the stereo to work correctly and now the car wont start. coil has power and the engine is getting fuel. is there something that couldve messed with the security system enabling the car to not run?

 

What is the security light on the dash doing? Also, the neutral safety switch wiring runs right next to the stereo wiring, I assume that wasn't messed with?

You can also test if it's the security system by bypassing the VATS relay that is behind the driver side kick panel. It's a flat relay and I personally just put two male spade connectors on a short length of wiring and jumper the two large wires together that way instead of cutting anything. If the car doesn't turn over then it's not a VATS issue.

Also, you are saying you have fuel. If the engine isn't turning over, are you saying you have fuel pressure? When VATS isn't working the ECM won't fire the injectors, but the car also won't fire the injectors if it isn't turning over.

 

thanks for the info on the security system. however, i noticed while changing bulbs and the tach in the cluster , that appears there was never a bulb in the security pod. i've heard of neutral safety switches having broken wires before. what bothers me is that the factory wiring had no power to the 12v const. and no power to the 12v ign. raise the concern flag! the car started just fine before i changed all bulbs that were burnt and aquired a different tach and made sure the stereo worked on all speakers. thats why im baffled. once again, greatly appreciate input on this! thank you!

 

oh yeah. also, i can see fuel squirting and had a friend observe (coil wire unplugged) that there is spark from the coil to the distributor.

 

I'd be tracing power starting at the fuse block. Sounds like you have a mess on your hands.

BTW isn't Johnny Carson from Norfolk?

 

Obviously all fuses have been checked.
And check them after messing with hot wires.

At the very least buy a Chilton's Manual. I have used mine extensively for over 10 years now.

Until then here's a few diagrams. Just scroll until you find yours then click on the diagram to make it larger.=
http://www.austinthirdgen.org/index.php?pid=19

Tools needed = a multimeter and a test light is nice to have.