Engine Swap Electrical Problems

Alright so i have a 1995 Chevrolet C/K1500 4x4, originally equipped with a 305C.I. Bad compression and burning oil, inspired my to swap out that worn out 305 with a former 350 I bored and stroked to a 383. The engine is in the truck now and all the connections to all the sensors are made, as well as all the grounds as far as I know. I have the block grounded to the frame, and the fuel pump grounded to the frame too. I have a brand new bench tested starter bolted up and connected to the battery, and all my fuses and relays have been tested and are good.

So on to the problem.. ***With out the key in the ignition*** As soon as I connect the battery the running lights turn on and the fuel pump cycles on and of momentarily as if the ignition was in the "on" position. However if I got into the cab while the battery is connected still and pull the headlight relay and put it back in; the lights stay off until I turn the headlights on by switching them on, but when i switch them "off" again the running lights remain on.

***Key in the ignition*** The lights stay on, horn doesn’t work, (lets out a wimpy sound), wipers don’t work, radio works fine, interior lights are fine, dash lights work. but when i go to start it the solenoid engages the drive gear to the flex plate but the starter motor does not even make an attempt to spin(and no my engine isn’t seized), I figured I had a bad ground some where so i found all the grounds that i have connected and cleaned the contact surfaces to ensure good ground. As I was pulling off a ground wire off one of the water neck studs (the single wire Black w/ white stripe) a spark jumped and it gave off 9 Volts! I thought id find a short in the harness some where but I traced the wire rite up to the fire wall but it’s in great condition?

Too many things are going wrong from a formally perfectly functioning electrical system. I can’t figure this out for the life of me. It’s driving me crazy. Anyways I appreciate ANY input you guys have towards this problem or problems, depending how you want to look at it.

How much of the truck did you dismantle to do the engine swap?

How much of the truck did you dismantle to do the engine swap?

I took off most of the front end like hood, fenders, inner fenders rad support. I have the bed off too. Alot was rotted so I replaced.

I think your best bet is to see if you can find someone to bring over their pickup, 2 or 4wd, and verify the wiring and grounds. Your lights sound like a ground issue.

I think your best bet is to see if you can find someone to bring over their pickup, 2 or 4wd, and verify the wiring and grounds. Your lights sound like a ground issue.

Yeah eh. I hate to admit defeat but that sounds like a good idea. I don't know anyone around me with an 88-98 that's not a vortec. I'll go to a dealership that I know has some tbi trucks and pretend to be intrested in buying.

Had a similar problem but with a little newer Chev, we had to replace the front clip because of a kamikaze deer attack and somehow the ground for the front lights and and a bunch of other stuff never got hooked back up, and caused serious problems. It was located just below the grill on the front of the drivers frame rail front horn.