Car Won't Crank After Overhaul

[Sid_E46]

So I have just finished reassembling car after a major overhaul and rod bearing replacement. I have disconnected the fuel pump fuse (#54) and removed all the spark plugs and ignition coils so that I could crank the engine a couple times and get oil running through the system. Problem is it isn't cranking at all and the abs light just stays on while the key is out. I did replace the starter and tested my older one too but both don't spin. I have also checked all the grounds I know off. Anyone know what else it could be?

[Sid_E46]

Fixed it..... I'm just an idiot.

[jet_dogg]

Don't keep us guessing bro, we won't judge you

[Sid_E46]

Don't keep us guessing bro, we won't judge you

I tightened the ground....... Just not all they way......

[jet_dogg]

You did a ton of work to the car it's understandable homie. Now finish it up!

[White_335i]

I tightened the ground....... Just not all they way......

Happens to the best of us. Glad it was something simple.

[DropTopKingM3]

I'm glad everything worked out!

[sapote]

I tightened the ground....... Just not all they way......

If there is any ground wires connected to the engine/tranny then these wires would burn up during cranking as the engine and tranny metal body had 12v during cranking in this case.

[Syfon]

Good to hear it was something simple!

[yhp2009]

i like happy endings

[Sid_E46]

If there is any ground wires connected to the engine/tranny then these wires would burn up during cranking as the engine and tranny metal body had 12v during cranking in this case.

I didn't smell any burning or see any smoke so I believe nothing burned up. And the ground was in contact with the engine mount, it just wasn't on tight.

[sapote]

And the ground was in contact with the engine mount, it just wasn't on tight.

It doesn't matter if the ground cable was in contact with the engine, as the connection is bad causing the starter not cranking, then the full 12V will appear on the engine/tranny body during cranking attempt.

[Sid_E46]

It doesn't matter if the ground cable was in contact with the engine, as the connection is bad causing the starter not cranking, then the full 12V will appear on the engine/tranny body during cranking attempt.

Are there any points worth checking out in case?

[sapote]

Are there any points worth checking out in case?

For example, the ignition coils harness has a wire grounded to the head (13mm bolt I think) for the spark only happen in one polarity. And in this case adding 12v to the 15Kv makes no difference to the hardware. But, if you have some other after market products that have the wires grounded on the engine/tranny then they could be damaged by the 12v now appears on the ground wires. I don't think the DME is grounded on the engine, so it the car runs fine then nothing had burned. Beside the ignition coils ground wire, do anyone know of other wires connected to the engine/tranny body?

(Yes, if you had connected a test lamp from the engine to the battery negative cable or the body chassis then it would light up brightly during the starting attempt. )

[Sid_E46]

For example, the ignition coils harness has a wire grounded to the head (13mm bolt I think) for the spark only happen in one polarity. And in this case adding 12v to the 15Kv makes no difference to the hardware. But, if you have some other after market products that have the wires grounded on the engine/tranny then they could be damaged by the 12v now appears on the ground wires. I don't think the DME is grounded on the engine, so it the car runs fine then nothing had burned. Beside the ignition coils ground wire, do anyone know of other wires connected to the engine/tranny body?

(Yes, if you had connected a test lamp from the engine to the battery negative cable or the body chassis then it would light up brightly during the starting attempt. )

I'll take a look at the ignition ground wire but I don't think anything was damaged. Car started up no problem.