What have I done??

I have a 1990 manual with 22RE that was just rebuilt. I've been buying some parts trying to get all the other stuff updated. Today I replaced the distributor cap, rotor, and ignition coil and now when I try and start the truck it just clicks. Anyone have a clue what I may have done? I tried putting the old coil back on and it's doing the same thing.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin! Did you check the battery terminals? Make sure they are clean, test battery with the terminals disconnected.... a place to start.

 

I didn't disconnect the battery or really touch it in any way. Could that have messed something up?

 

It's entirely possible that the battery died, and is just coincidental with the timing of your other work. If you haven't had the battery tested, that's what I'd do next.

 

I'll try that. I don't see what I could've messed up. With just swapping parts out. But then again I'm NO mechanic and this is the vehicle I'm learning on lol

 

I never want to believe I have a dead battery when it dies, but I invariably do, and have to shell out the $$ for a new one...

 

If your battery test comes out okay...

I'd next check and clean all of the connections in the starting system: battery terminals, any wires hooked to the positive battery cable at the battery, solenoid, starter, ground strap and other grounds, and battery negative wherever it attaches to the body (or frame?). A lot of current flows through this system, so any bad connection will shut things down. I typically use sandpaper or nail files to clean the connectors and connection points, then grease them with a small amount of dielectric grease to keep them clean. With the rebuild, it's halfway likely that something is loose or bits corroded while everything was apart.

There's a post showing the grounds in the engine bay at: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116/22re-ground-wire-locations-guide-194413/

If still no go, I'd bench test the starter or take it to a parts shop for testing.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I did have to move some wires around while replacing the ignition coil so that may be something. I'm going to try and boost it off my truck. The starter was bench tested AND taken to have it tested just in case. It's good.

The worst part about it is it's been sitting for a year getting rebuilt and when I got it home I drove it a few times and all was right in the world. Then I replace some stuff and it's not running now

 

And when you're doing what Dean22 recommends (good ideas), disconnect the battery FIRST to avoid unwelcome surprises.

 

Yeah I should've disconnected the battery but my lack of mechanic magic is showing... lol

 

It should crank regardless of work on the ignition system. If it cranks but doesn't fire, you did something wrong when working on the ignition

If it does not crank, treat it as a separate problem with ignition switch, starter or battery cables.

Just trying to jump it with another vehicle will likely not be enough if cables are faulty or connections are corroded. Battery cables can appear good to the eye but have tons of corrosion under the insulation.

 

I had my very new battery die because the car sat and didn't run for a few months. Apparently battery cells swell and can crack when they just sit there. So if you let it sit for awhile, that is a possibility. Take it out and swing by autozone and they'll test it. I got lucky and mine was replaced under warranty.