Will a 3rd gen touch boot without the digitizer installed?

I am trying to fix a friends water damaged ipod.

I took it apart and cleaned it with rubbing alcohol and let it dry. I broke the digitizer taking it off.

When I put it back together (minus the digitized) and plug it into the computer the apple symbol comes up for about 22 seconds before it turns off and repeats this.

I'm wondering if this is because I don't have a digitizer installed? I want to make sure its working before I order any replacement parts for it.