Engine will crank but not start

[VAlegacy]

Long-time listener...first time caller.

So I recently replaced both sides valve cover gaskets, which for me was a huge undertaking. Removed EGR and had to replace passenger exhaust manifold and manifold nut and heater control valve. I removed the fuel rail as well.
Now that everything is back together, I went to fire it back up and it wont run. The first couple times I tried it would run for maybe .5 to 1 sec then shut off...now nothing. It just keeps cranking. I believe I reconnected everything properly....but now am second guessing myself because it wont start. I believe I can hear the fuel pump running with the keys at acc.
It was setting for probably a month due to waiting on parts, work, etc.
It is strange because everything worked fine once I started this little project.
Does anyone have any tips on where to start looking?

 

[imp]

"Does anyone have any tips on where to start looking?"

Sure! First, the fuel pump never runs in "acc" key position. (unless some yokel wired it wrong!). The pump turns on when the key is turned to "ign." position, runs about 2 seconds, and turns off, IF the key is kept in that position. Usually, we go on to "start" position, in which the pump ALWAYS runs. If the eng. starts, they key is moved back to "ign", but the PCM (computer) then keeps the pump ON.

If there was NO SPARK, the eng. would not even sputter, as you said it did, so I'd rule out ignition trouble, for now. Find the Schrader Valve (like a tire valve) on the fuel rail, top of the eng. somewhere (someone will know where) if you can't find it. Turn key to Ign. or Run position, back to off, then to Run again, several times. Then uncap the Schrader and carefully depress the valve core inside. Fuel should SPURT out. If none, or just a dribble, the eng. is getting insufficient fuel. OTOH, if there seems to be quite a bit, say, a couple-inch high spurt, a fuel-pressure test would be next. No fuel, or very little, check Fuel Pump Inertia Switch, for being tripped. If FPIS not tripped, time to check Fuse (listed in owners manual), if OK, then Fuel Pump Relay, which turns power on and off to the Pump itself. If relay operates when key turned to IGN position, check for presence of voltage at the Fuel Pump wiring connector at the fuel tank. If voltage present, either the pump is bad, or an obstruction exists somewhere between the tank and fuel rail, possibly the fuel filter.

All the above assumes you cannot hear the pump turn on and off when the key is moved to IGN position. If you HEAR the pump, start at Schrader Valve, looking for fuel. This paragraph, read last, is to be tried first, of course. imp