1ststangowner

Hello guys, I'm work on you fiance's fist car ( 89 with a 2.3) and it has been sitting for 8 years. I dropped the tank, cleaned out the gas. I changed the spark plugs, wires, all the fluids and a new battery . I went to start it for the first time and is does not start. it has fuel pressure to the fuel rail. What direction should I go next?

jimkaray

Spark. Did you shoot any starting fluid in her to see if it fires at all? Why was it sitting for 8yrs? Was it parked after it quit running? If it just up and died one day I would check the timing belt.

1ststangowner

Thanks Jimkaray. I didn't think about that. I'll check it. I did use some starting fluid and it acted like it wanted to start but it did not. It ran when was parked.

1ststangowner

I checked the timing and it is on, belt is tight. Where should I go for here.

jimkaray

Well, you still need spark. Check the wiring for signs of mice chewing the insulation. I would clean up all the ground points on the wiring harness, battery cable, coil, starter relay, etc...as they've probably oxidized. Test or try a new coil and ignition module if you have them.

PNYXPRESS

Are the injectors spraying fuel? If its trying to start on starter fluid then its not a spark problem.

jimkaray

Define "acted like it wanted to start" for us. Does it kick over and will run on starting fluid as long as you're spraying it? If so then its a fuel problem.
My interpretation of your description is that the starting fluid is trying to ignite off the engine compression, so its kicking somewhat like it might start but since there is no spark to light it up that's as far as it gets. If it is actually kicking over briefly on the spray and then dies out (unless you keep spraying) its starving for fuel.
One more thought since we don't know your level of experience. Are you trying to spray the starting fluid in front of the air filter? If so pull the filter so you getting a proper shot sucked into the engine. Have a helper crank the starter over while you spray short bursts into the intake.

1ststangowner

I'm still struggling getting my 2.3L to start and I think I have found the issue. There is a connector coming from the fuel injector wiring harness that has a red and orange wires. it is not connected to anything.

I have been looking at wiring diagrams and I can not figure out where or what it goes to. can anyone help?