newbie w/ question about engine change..

hello,

recently we changed the engine in my 99 grand am (2.4 twin cam) - one of the guides broke streatching the timing chain. needless to say severe valve damage - with one actually shooting through the piston.

anyway - put a used warrantied engine w/ 40k miles on it and it won't start & the front lights, blinkers & horn do not work either however the back blinkers, brake lights, dome & dash lights, chime and radio do.

did i not hook something properly? the connections were all different so we couldn't have reversed any.

thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Teresa

I would recheck all your connections especially those at the starter solenoid. The items you mention really have nothing to do with the engine. The lights and other systems should be connected via the battery through the fuse block and the power control center under the hood. That is where I would start especially after you check the starter connections.

Check all the electrical connectors under the hood as well. It's very possible a wire or 2 got pulled out of the connector or severed while moving things around.

thanks! it was something in the "control box" (not sure what it is really called) he was doing so many things at once he forgot to tighten the 3 bolts in there. it fired right up.

now it feels like my transmission is slipping. anyone know how much fluid goes into a 99 grand am - there is no dipstick

thanks again! :)