As advanced as these cars seem to be, I'd be surprised if a simple starter fluid gets it running. I mean you removed plugs and a manifold and now it can't start. I feel like it's some weird electrical/connection thing. Also, did you even mess with the cam/crank sensors during the removal/installation? (I ask because I don't know where those sensors are even located)

Keep us posted.

You are 100% you plugged everything back in??

 

As advances as these cars seem to be, I'd be surprised if a simple starter fluid gets it running. I mean you removed plugs and a manifold and now it can't start. I feel like it's some weird electrical/connection thing.

• At ~$4 a can it is more than worth my time. I would agree that I feel it is something electrical.
• As a note...I had the battery disconnected during the job, but upon inspection, there is quite a bit of corrosion on the negative terminal from the previous owner. I will clean this up too.
• As it is just me working on this car...would spraying a healthy amount after the MAF right before the throttle body be enough / OK?

Also, did you even mess with the cam/crank sensors during the removal/installation? (I ask because I don't know where those sensors are even located)
Cam / crank sensors?

No, but should anything be done with them?

You are 100% you plugged everything back in??

• 100% sure everything has been reconnected. I doubled and tripled checked upon both disassembles and reassembles. It does throw codes when something is not connected (ie. MAF harness).

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I have it one a charge right now. As I mentioned earlier it came so close to turning over earlier.

 

Hopefully the final update...

It fired up! Took a few tries but here is how it played out...

I had the battery on a charger for ~5 hours and picked up some starting fluid.

Gave me the car a few chances to fire up without the starter fluid. It still struggled, but seemed like it really wanted to fire up.

Then I sprayed some starting fluid right before throttle body, reconnected the intake. Gave it about three more attempts and it finally took.

It sputtered like mad but I kept feathering the gas for a few mins finally just letting it idle and it did. After a few mins I shut it down and turned it on again. It kept firing right up and the idle kept smoothing out.

I took it out for about an hour drive and by the time I got home it was as smooth as butter.

I'm going to close the book on this one...

I have to admit... this was fun to sort out.

Thank you for all the help and suggestions!

 

Awesome, a happy ending. Thanks for the updates. You did a great job....

 

Awesome! Happy to hear I was wrong and it was simple as giving it a little starter fluid boost lol feels good to stick with it and get it figured out.

Now get a decent catch can on it and hopefully not have to clean the calves for a long time!

 

A catch can is definitely on the list.

I am leaning towards the starting fluid giving it the boost it needed, but I am not sure if it is persistence with trying to start it and getting the battery up to a proper voltage level.

Nonetheless, if I ever do this task again I will give it a shot of starting fluid.