Will not start not check engine light.

96' cavalier will not start when the key is turned on the check engine light does not come on and fuel pump does not run. Engine was changed and hasn't started since. Someone suggested that it was something in the wiring in the steering column I don't think so it started before engine change. I believe a wire was pinched when changing engines but would not know where to start looking.

check all your grounds...

sounds like a ground... i had the same problem when i changed engines.

the guy that was working on it before but I will try how many grounds are their and how do I check them.

the guy that was working on it before but I will try how many grounds are their and how do I check them.

there are usually one or 2 engine grounds that run from the head or motor to somewhere on the chassis. i havent looked on this car yet but just check all the wires to make sure the insulation isnt torn or burned off and make sure the connections are good and clean. do you have accessory power? check the connections on the battery as well.

Could always be your starter too, Ive had that happen.

The problem should be at starter. The power for inside comes from the same post battery goes to on starter. There were most likely 3 or 4 wires that went here. Theses wires arw also fusable links. This should stand out. Grounds is the next thing. The main ground is at trans bolt very near the starter. This is also where thet battery grounds too. If wires are hook up at starter then the fusable links need to be check.

I checked the wires going into the starter and the ground. I now have the crank sensor out and am going to change it then I will check the coil pack. I still don't know if this is even close to the problem.

Crank sensor will not fix this ptoblem. The fuel pump at first is turn on my ecm to relay to pump. The check engine light is staright from ecm. Crank sensor will not repair that. Now if engine turn over but will not start then you need to check for spark. There are things you need to check before u just start replacing parts for nothing.

I stuck a screwdriver back in one of the plug wires and cranked the engine their is no spark. I've checked wires until I'm sick of looking at them I just don't know what else to do.

I stuck a screwdriver back in one of the plug wires and cranked the engine their is no spark. I've checked wires until I'm sick of looking at them I just don't know what else to do.

thats NOT how you check for spark. pull a plug, keep the plug connected to the wire, use a wire puller or something to hold the plug, make SURE your not grounding yourself against the car or anything, touch the spark plug to the head, turn over motor. so your motor is turning over now? wish i knew that. get real close to the tank and listen for the fuel pump to prime when the key is turned on, if theres no sound then its most likely gone or theres a problem with the electrical.

when the engine stops cranking the fuel pump runs for a couple of seconds. so it works and you can spell fuel on the plugs.

If you have no spark then you may very well have bad crank sensor. If you had a noid light you could check for injector pulse. If you lack both then I would go with crank sensor.

I give up there is no hope for this car. The power going to the coil pack is good. The check engine light will not come on. The fuel pump runs only after cranking. The computer is good all the wires appear good. The grounds are good. all fuses good. It has gas in it. This car is beyond repair.

The check engine light not coming on would cause me to question the computer. The computer is what turn it on and off. But the crank sensor is below the coil pack in side of the block. The crank sensor would be my first choice. The ign module could be bad but very expensive to me quessing there. If you wanted to prove to yourself about fuel spray starting fluid into intake. If it fires up then you would know it lacks fuel. If it doesn't fire off then you must be missing spark. The car isn't hopeless but that why mechanics need the new tools today to checks theses things out without having to guess.
So my thought is you have a bad computer or bad crank sensor. That is as long there is fuel. And you said you hear the pump so I am guessing there is fuel.

Well I checked the ignition module with a light and their was no spark on the posts.

To check at module, 1 you would have to check for power,2 there are 2 wires from crank sensor 1 low ref pulse and 1 high ref pulse. The crank sensor tell it when to fire. Without taking a lab scope and checking signal I would try new sensor. Cheaper than a module.

Its FIXED HOORAAY!!!!!! The battery wire going into the computer was not reading any power so I ran a wire straight to the battery and after putting everything else together it started right up. Thanks everyone for your input.

ITS FIXED. The wire that comes straight from the battery to the computer under the fender was getting no power. I ran a new wire straight to the battery and spliced it together and immediately heard the fuel pump kick on.

good job figureing out your electrical gremlin :D