I just swapped in a d15b vtec into my 92 civic si. Everything went smooth until I tried and start it the other day.
Whenever I try and start the car all of the lights go dim and wont turnover at all. I thought it was the starter but I got one from working car and it still did not work. I think all of my grounds are correct but I cant figure out were the ground near the transmission from the body goes. I know I am probly looking over something very easy but any help is appreciated.
thanks
drew-

 

Have you ever turned the motor over by hand?

If you could turn the motor over by hand before installation, you most likely have a problem in the clutch assembly or tranny. Either that, or a dead battery.

 

ya it turned over fine before the install. I know the clutch engages, because it was on a hill and it was and gear and I pushed the clutch in and it rolled back. Is there any other common clutch tranny problems?

 

it sounds like a battery problem. are you sure your grounds are correct? one ground from the valve cover to the body, one from the thermostat to the harness, and one from the trans. to the body. does it make any noise when you try to turn it over? like a clicking sound or anything?

 

Ya it makes a click when I turn the keyy and when I let go of the clutch.

 

Alright, I got the car to turnover by grounding the transmission. When I wen to start it it sounded like a fuse blew and all the power went out in my car. Also one of the grounds(the one that connects to the battery) started to get really hot and melt the rubber

 

check to make sure that the power cable going to the starter is not grounding out