New engine, no electricity going to anything except headlights.
 

Hi sorry if this is a newb question but I did an engine swap (same engine rebuilt), I cant seem to figure out why when I turn the key nothing on the dash lights up, no fuel pump priming anything. Main relay is intact, ignition was working fine before the swap. Brand new battery so its not that. Im thinking of getting a new ignition switch to try. What do you all think to try?

NB 03 Miata 1.8

Check all your ground wires.

I'm still having the same problems. The grounds I checked were:
1) ground by the intake manifold front
2) ground wire behind the head (is there a certain way the bracket is supposed to be oriented)
3) ppf ground near rear or car

Am I missing a ground somewhere? Once again, simply no power going to any accessories or the dash.

Checking the 99 factory service manual, there are 15 ground connections. So yeah, you havent' checked them all yet.

A multi meter can make quick work of diagnosing electrical problems. Do you have one? They're 10-20 bucks for a cheap on at walmart.

I do have a multi-meter, I just need to break off the cobwebs on my electrical brain its been awhile. How would you go about checking though, do you go from the fuse box?

Best bet is to do continuity test. It will show if a connection is being made or not. Most you can setup to beep when you touch the wires together.

So basically start checking the following.

• If it should be a connection, does it beep?
• If it should not be a connection, does it not-beep?

Your issue sounds like something that should have a connection, does not.

For example, it should beep from the positive lead post of the battery, to the positive battery clamp that clamps to the battery post. Because they are clamped together with a bolt. But if that connection were dirty and not working electrically, then it wouldn't beep and your car would not have power.

If all worked, it would show continutity from the battery positive to various fuses for example.

Grounds would all show continuity from the negative post of the battery to whatever they are attached to if they are OK.

thanks ALOT! Im going to spend some more time tomorrow morning on it. I will report back my findings.