help please i need help

[adamik1]

so i took my engine out of my 89 ford ranger 4wd its a 2.9 FI and it was running okay but i heard some knocking like the lifters were clogged so i pulled the whole motor out and did a rebuild on it i dropeed it in today and hooked everything up and it didnt start it turned but it wouldnt run also i dont have to hold the clutch in in order to start it now i put a new clutch kit on there any ideas on why it wont start or why i dont need to hold in the clutch now and btw my clutch pedal is very soft now

thaNK YOU I NEED HELP ASAP

 

[auto117584]

the engine needs air, fuel and spark to run.

It's probably getting air, but make sure you didn't leave any rags in the air tubes. (joke)

then check to see if you have spark. or fuel. then check to see if you have fuel. or spark.

let us know what you find out.

 

[Spott]

Wait a minute...you can rebuild an engine, but you can't troubleshoot one?

I'm confused.

However, as to the clutch question: there's a switch that's closed when the clutch is pressed, hooked between pin 30 of the EEC and ground. If that switch is kept closed, or the connection is shorted to ground or bypassed, then you won't need to press the clutch in to attempt to start it. It won't start well if you have it in gear, though.

Spott

 

[auto117584]

i put a new clutch kit on there ... my clutch pedal is very soft now ...

did you adjust the clutch before putting it in?

 

[Duane867]

They are self adjusting clutches in 99.6% of all cases and the clutch is hydraulic operated.
The fact that it turns over rules out the neutral safety switch on the clutch pedal as a problem. The fact that you have to hold the clutch to the floor to get it to turn over is a good thing.

I would check your timing, and all connections again. 99% of the time after an install some wiring has been over looked or the engine was set 180 degrees out of time.
Are you getting any backfire ?

 

[customrangers]

the soft pedal means you need to bleed the clutch as there is air in the line. you could have pinched a wire for the neutral safety switch when you put the motor back in. check for fuel, make sure you can here the fuel pump kick on then check for fuel at the rail. pull a plug and check for spark- I bet your timing 180 out

 

[Duane867]

A bad neutral safety switch wont allow power to the relay under the hood to send power to the starter to turn over will it ?

 

[customrangers]

no but this engine cranks over so it sending power

 

[adamik1]

ok so there is some back fire a few times when i tried to start it and i mean like its a manual you should have to press in the clutch to start it and i dont have to push it in at all. but the pedal is also very soft when i press it anyways and also i havent timed it so im gonna try that in the morning and let you guys know. and i here a clicking nosie after i try startung it its like a click click lcick click nosie. i can here the fuel pump turn on also

 

[Spott]

A bad neutral safety switch wont allow power to the relay under the hood to send power to the starter to turn over will it ?

A bad switch, as in "bad contact", won't allow it to start. A shorted switch will...or a shorted wire. And it's easy to accidentally short a wire to ground in a truck.

Spott

 

[Spott]

ok so there is some back fire a few times when i tried to start it and i mean like its a manual you should have to press in the clutch to start it and i dont have to push it in at all. but the pedal is also very soft when i press it anyways and also i havent timed it so im gonna try that in the morning and let you guys know. and i here a clicking nosie after i try startung it its like a click click lcick click nosie. i can here the fuel pump turn on also

My starter solenoid make a rapid clicking, almost a buzz, when trying to start with a weak battery. It's maybe 5-10 clicks per second.

Spott

 

[customrangers]

if you haven't timed it and it backfires thats why it wont start!!! and dont forget to bleed your clutch cuz thats why your pedal is soft

 

[customrangers]

"A bad switch, as in "bad contact", won't allow it to start. A shorted switch will...or a shorted wire. And it's easy to accidentally short a wire to ground in a truck"

true

 

[adamik1]

i dont think its the starter solinod cuz it turns overjust wont fire so im thinking its the timing iginition but i cant check right now its dark outside im gonna try first thing in the mornign so if you guys are on around 11am nevada time ill post an update

 

[auto117584]

did a rebuild on it

define "did a rebuild". what did you do to it. be specific.

about the clutch: before installing it, the pressure plate fingers have to be depressed, then the adjuster ring has to be rotated to its extreme counter clockwise position and held in place there while the tension on the fingers is released. Unless it doesn't have an adjustment ring. Did yours have an adjustment ring?