Aftermarket Stereo, Car wont run.

This is almost going to sound childish, but just to cover bases:

Are you sure you didn't pop a fuse when you installed the new head unit? Check the fuses if you haven't already.

--n8

The fuse idea was good. Or...

If the wiring job required any kind of cutting in a tight spot, maybe a wire was cut accidentally, or otherwise loosened or disconnected.

Collateral damage?...

The ignition switch scenario is interesting too. How many times was it cycled for checking etc.? You never know. Murphy is alive and well and drives a Turbo Coupe!

I dont know of any single fuse that could cause a car not to start.

My thoughts.........

These cars have been around for a long time. Who is to say if it had a kill switch installed that was rigged up and you never knew about it.

I would follow the power back from the solinoid.

Start at the Solinoid. With someone holding the key to start, and holding the clutch pedal down, check the little wire at the solinoid for power with a test light. Nothing, then look at the tranny. Get under the car. You will see a wiring harness come out of the body and snap into a harness that goes to the tranny. It will have a looped wire. Usually red with a blue strip. Poke into it and see if you have power there. If not, go to the clutch switch. Check there. On that one, check both sides. One side should be hot with the pedal pushed, and the key on. One side will be hot with just the key turned. If you still dont have power, I would just replace the ignition switch. Fire hazard and good maintanence anyway. If it STILL is a problem , find the wire at teh switch (I think its white with pink, sometimes blue stripe , but check with a diagram first).

If not that, then post up.

I don't understand how someone can be so good at something in theory, but sucks at applying it! I passed as THE top student in my Automotive Performance class. I just found out what my problem was...my starter solenoid. I feel like such an ass.

Don't sweat it, we've all been there and done that. Besides, as they say, "stuff" happens; and to expand on that a bit, it usually happens when least expected and most annooying!

Well that was a tame solenoid failure. I've had it go both ways. It's always an exciting day when you go to start the car it fires up but the starter continues to run.

I recently reolaced the starter solenoid on my Ranger to find out it was the clutch switch. Ah well, don't have to worry about either for a while now. Take it as a life lesson, now you'll remember the symptoms for next time.