96 850 not cranking at all, RESOLVED loose wire

[marcusmcd]

With the help of several forum members, I have finished assembling my 96 850 Turbo. As far as I can tell all the mechanical, electrical, vacuum, and fluid connections are properly made. I filled it with oil and coolant, installed a brand new battery, and inserted the key. All the lights, windows, and radio work. But when I turned the key, nothing. Everything went dark and not a peep from the starter. So an electrical issue somewhere. But where do I start looking? What should I look for?

[Ben850]

Without a back story, double check the tightness of your power connections. If the starter was not removed, unhooked, or otherwise altered, the battery connection will cause things to go black if it is no good.
This includes ground straps around the engine, and positive connections at the alternator and battery.

If you had to touch any of those, that would be a good place to start.

[marcusmcd]

If the starter was not removed, unhooked, or otherwise altered, the battery connection will cause things to go black if it is no good.

Yes, the starter was removed. When you say "it" do you mean the starter or something else?

The engine is grounded, although with just one strap, not two. I don't recall removing any other ground strap but there is a place for it.

Connection to the starter and the alternator appear good and tight. I know the battery connection is good.

[Ozark Lee]

You can isolate things by using the "service" starter connector. The "service" connector is a green wire with a red stripe that sticks out of the wiring harness back by the left hand strut tower. If you connect + battery voltage to the connector it bypasses the ignition switch and the immobilizer and feeds the starter solenoid via the PNP switch.

If that cranks the car then the PNP is OK and the problem is either with the immobilizer, the ignition switch, or the wiring to them.

If it still won't crank check for + battery voltage on the green/red wire at the starter solenoid itself when the key is turned to position III. If you are getting voltage there then the starter solenoid or the starter motor is bad. If you aren't getting voltage at the starter then the PNP switch might be bad.

...Lee

[marcusmcd]

I found the red and green wire down by the starter solenoid and it was detached. I think that happened when I put the shield back on. Reattached that and it started.

Thanks for your help!