Changed valve cover gasket... fuel pump not priming

[cdvr-s13]

Yeah so in changing the valve cover gasket and switching to a freshly powder coated valve cover I have some how created a problem. I did the gasket on this car years ago when I first got it and have had no problems (swap has been prime for 5+ years now).

Background:
S13 Blacktop SR20DET swapped into an 89 Silvia (formerly CA18DET)
- Ran perfect before attempting valve cover/gasket replacement

While I was under there I used some degreaser to clean up some crud from a minor oil leak, and I cleaned the MAF. Other than disconnecting the battery I really can't recall doing ANYTHING else.

I put everything back together and it cranks but no start. Turns out I can longer hear the fuel pump priming. What could I have screwed up doing such a simple job?

Thanks

[cotbu]

check the fuse, and swap the relay.
if the fuse and relay are good post info

[Mikester]

If the fuse/relay check good- look at any ground wires with terminals that may be connected to the valve cover. If there are any, you will need to either scrape the powder coating away for good metal/metal contact, or relocate them to the cyl head or other known-good chassis ground.

You can also disconnect the fuel feed to verify lack of fuel flow (after looking at the other stuff). I run a Walbro and don't hear it when it fires up...

I bet the problem is gonna be something silly that you overlooked... Happens to the best of us.

[cdvr-s13]

Pulled the fuses/relays, swapped with some from my 240sx and still no dice.

Pulled the plugs and they look fine, can't smell any gas with the plugs out and the valve cover removed.

There isn't anything grounded to the valve cover either.

I know the sound of the fuel pump priming on this car, and it simply isn't there now.

I really dont understand how pulling a valve cover can cause this. MAFS connected, CAS connected, all vacuum lines connected... done this before.

I swapped out the wiper and signal light switches over the weekend too, but I doubt that has anything to do with it.

[Mikester]

Originally Posted by cdvr-s13

Pulled the fuses/relays, swapped with some from my 240sx and still no dice.

Pulled the plugs and they look fine, can't smell any gas with the plugs out and the valve cover removed.

There isn't anything grounded to the valve cover either.

I know the sound of the fuel pump priming on this car, and it simply isn't there now.

I really dont understand how pulling a valve cover can cause this. MAFS connected, CAS connected, all vacuum lines connected... done this before.

I swapped out the wiper and signal light switches over the weekend too, but I doubt that has anything to do with it.

Well, if you turn the key on and the signal lights and wipers work, then probably not lol

Hopefully something silly and not something else that happened to shit on you by coincidence.

All your fuses in the kick panel etc good too I assume.

[nujabe]

I would check the fuel pump to see if it just died then the ecu next. I have a power fc and I know when I don't plug it in all the way it won't prime the fuel pump.