digital dash, ecm

[paint it black]

I have a 85 t-type i've been slowly working on for the last 7 years. When I get some extra money I do some work and now i'm working on the electrical system, making sure lights work, aftermarket gauges, so on and so on. I've got everything working except the digital dash and ecm. The engine and drivetrain is out of the car, and I have also removed the heat/ac box. I have moved the battery to the trunk and have the power connected to the engine harness via the alt. wires. The batt. ground is hooked to the frame and I have the body grounds temporarily connected to the frame. I've had the dash apart and with and with a set of 85 factory manuals have gone through and checked all connectors. Everything that is supposed to have power has power and all grounds are grounding. The ecm is a new 87 from special additions(not 100% sure but it was new). Does the dash recieve anything from the ecm? Before the car was torn apart the dash worked perfectly. Also I tried to jump the connectors to see if the ecm would show life on the service engine soon light and there was nothing. I don't know if i'm missing something or doing something wrong. Any help would be great!!!! Thanks