car won't turn over

[cwo41969]

Car has been sitting for a year. It stopped on the hiway and I got it restarted. I replaced the battery and the alt. But it still won't start. I hate to spend $80 plus to have it towed to the dealer, for the dyno. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

It won't turn over, as in you turn the key and nothing happens? You say you got it started after it died--is that before it sat for a year?

My first suggestion is to clean up all of the electrical connections between the battery and the starter. 914s are known for problems with dirty connections, and I have found that other cars can sometimes suffer from them as well. The "battery terminal brush" from your FLAPS (Friendly Local Auto Parts Store) is cheap and easy to use. Just remember to disconnect the (-) terminal first, and reconnect it last.

Next, I'd check to see if there are any relays between the key and the starter solenoid. If so, try to test those to see if they're still working.

Next, I'd suspect the ignition switch or the starter. If the wire from the key to the starter (don't know which wire that is on these cars, sorry--on other German cars it's yellow) does not get +12V when the key is turned to "start now" position, then the electrical part of the ignition switch is the main suspect. If it does get +12V, I would suspect the starter.

--DD

[cwo41969]

Thank You Dave.