Removed Stock Radio, M20 Won't Start?

[Zambuzan]

PREFACE: Ok long story short, I unplugged my 100% stock radio out of my '88. Haven't had the time to take it to a shop so I can get a new one installed. Almost two months pass (haven't started it at all) and then I have a chance to take it to the shop. I try to start 'er up and it won't start. I can hear the starter, the fan spins and everything but the car just won't start. Charged battery, checked fuel, everything seems ok. My poor M20 has never given me any start problems.

QUESTION: Ok so my '88 came with the premium sound system, alarm system/radio thingie (the "if you put the wrong code 3 times it won't start" anti-theft radio feature). So I'm thinking that since I removed the radio, it's preventing the engine from turning on. Is that a thing? I know the radio feature cuts the fuel off of the M20, so should I just try to connect the radio back in and put in the code? It was running perfectly two months ago...
Thanks in advance.
(repost bc no initial replies)

[zaq123]

I know the radio feature cuts the fuel off of the M20,

never heard of that

[redlightpete]

I think the security feature only applies to the radio itself. Otherwise you’d have to defeat the system if you removed the factory radio, which I’ve never heard of.