Why does it not start after transmission change?

1994 DODGE RAM
170,000 MILES • 5.2L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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DONALD49ER
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My transmission went out, so I replaced the transmission with one from a pick n pull place. After installing it and hooking everything up my truck won't start it just cranks, at first, I thought it may be a fuel issue because the fuel Guage is pretty low but as it was cranking, I could smell fuel as if it was flooding. I'm guessing that it is probably electrical. what do you guys think?
Aug 6, 2022 at 4:20 AM
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STEVE W.
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My first instinct would be a bad crankshaft sensor or wiring to it got pinched. Without it the fuel pump primes then you crank it, and it doesn't fire but it still injects some fuel. It's back there on the transmission bellhousing and not hard to damage by accident when the engine moves around while changing the transmission.
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Aug 6, 2022 at 9:25 AM
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DONALD49ER
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That was one thought I had because I changed that sensor with the used one from the same transmission and had a heck of a time trying to plug it in and the plug went in hard. I didn't know what sensor that was until now I couldn't find no info on it from Google or the repair manual.
Aug 6, 2022 at 10:38 AM
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DONALD49ER
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My other thought was possibly the neutral safety switch but if it was true then it wouldn't even crank, correct?
Aug 6, 2022 at 10:41 AM
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STEVE W.
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The neutral switch wouldn't let it crank, correct. The plug for the crank sensor shouldn't plug together hard, might have bent a pin in the connector.
Aug 6, 2022 at 11:09 AM
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DONALD49ER
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Thank you so much for your time. One last question, would it be possible to get to that crank sensor without removing the transmission again?
Aug 6, 2022 at 11:13 AM
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STEVE W.
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Yes, you can but it's a tight fit, normally you pull the EGR tube and the oil pressure sender to get room. You might get more room if you released the rear transmission mount and jack up the transmission to tilt the engine forward. Never tried it but it might work.
Aug 6, 2022 at 11:17 AM
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