can't crank with key

Ok here is what I did- '71 swinger

I used the stock engine harness modified for a V8

When I have the '71 dash harness plugged in I can get the car to crank and run from the key, The problem is someone hacked the harness up and I am not comfortable using it.

I acquired a very nice clean dash harness from a '68 that when I put my multi meter too has a lot less resistance.

I traced all the wires on a wiring diagram and discovered that only a few were in different positions. I then spent the time changing the dash harness so that it would plug directly into the engine harness.

I also added a rally dash and changed to connector so it would plug into the rally dash, I made sure everything went to the right positions by wiring diagrams. I also bypassed the amp meter by soldering the two wires together and wrapping them in heat shrink tube. All wires I modified I did properly by soldering and heat shrinking and testing resistance.

So the lights work, radio works, heater works, brake light on dash for parking brake works, dash lights light up but no gauges work. The rally dash does not have the standared voltage limiter like the rest of the A bodies, but it has one built into the fuel gauge, I am planning on having Redfish recalibrate my gauges and add a solid state regulator.

I am currently not too concerned about the fact none of the gauges work, I am however concerned that I cannot get the car to crank with the key. I swapped the ing switch with a brand new one and had no effect.
Remember '68 dash with key in dash not column.

I can get the car to run with the key in on position if I jump the starter relay, it will also turn off with the key. Their is no neutral safety switch on the car, it has been grounded.

I checked the fuse-able link but it appears to be ok and obviously power is getting through because some things work. All other connections on the bulkhead are tight.


Anyone have any ideas?