fiesta mk6 12.5 water cooling advice?

will my fiesta mk6 12.5 2006 start without a rad or water in it?, waiting for a new rad and wondered why nothing happened when i turned the key, all normal lights come on the dash when key is turned and then go off but the engine management light stays on and the engine does not make any effort to start? i realise i should not start the car but iam worried there might be a starting issue in the near future?