Power steering pump replacement causes seemingly unrelated issue

[BeenieWeenie]

Hi guys, first post here.

This is driving me insane. I have a 97 Dodge Dakota 3.9 liter V6 with ~170,000 miles, my beater work truck. I had to do a power steering pump replacement today because the old one busted and leaked everywhere.

Problem one struck when I tried to unbolt the old pump from the engine. The top left bolt had three ground wires running to it (what a place to run a ground wire to...) and when I broke the torque off the bolt it snapped the ends off the ground wires. (I fixed them... how in a minute)

Anyways, I get off the old pump, and reinstall the new one. Two of the grounds ran to God-knows-what, and were small and simple to recap and fix. The other was what seemed like a negative battery ground. I rigged it up a bit but I got it to ground.

Anyways, I get everything hooked up, fill the reservoir and go to crank the truck.

It turns over, but won't fire.

I get to listening to my truck when I just turn it to accessory. I can hear the fuel pump turn on and run, so I know it's not that.

The fuse relay is rattling now for some odd reason in the box, but the pump still turns on so I don't think this should be a big issue.

So I'm pulling out my hair trying to figure out how a power steering pump replacement keeps the truck from firing.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

[BeenieWeenie]

Well... I figured it out. Turned out to be one of those little oversights that make you angry.

When I reattached the ground wires, I simply didn't get one in there good enough. So I got a good ground and boom, it runs like a dream.