Crank no-start post engine swap (Mazdaspeed Protege)

[Cyrashe]

Hi.

I bought a MSP that someone blew a hole through cylinder 3 which the body has no rust on, and I finished today swapping my engine and trans into it out of my very rusty MSP which had never given me issues with the powertrain.

Issue is, I'm moving on Saturday and the car currently cranks but doesn't start. The only notable item I can currently think of is that for some reason, when turning the key on the gas needle on the cluster does not sweep up to the vehicle's fuel level even after I added roughly 1/4 tank and just stays in the empty position with the gas light on.

I've locked and unlocked the door with both the fob and the key in attempt to rule out the immobilizer, and I'm currently at a loss after verifying continuity across all fuses. No codes are stored, either, and every connector is plugged in properly. Can anyone please offer some suggestions? Genuinely if I can't solve this within a few days I'll have to just get rid of the car and pray I find something new and cheap in the remaining time.

 

[duffbuster243]

I'm betting the fuel pump is seized, especially if the car has been sitting for some time. Pull the fuel line and and stick it in a bucket and crank the engine for a second or two to confirm.

 

[11B-33T]

Try the simple stuff as well: check all your grounds are good & clean, no loose or dirty connectors or corrosion within the power cable sleeves.