Post-Drop, Car Won't Start

[shrouded]

So I finally got everything (I thought) put back together correctly last night, but I can't get it running.

Turning the key to the first position seems to give me everything I should have. Gauges, lights, etc. I didn't hear the fuel pump, but I sometimes don't, so that may not indicate anything.

Turning the key the rest of the way I get a single click, and then a relatively loud buzzing as long as I have the key in that position. The lights dim, but only slightly. I think the buzzing may be coming from the direction of the starter, but I can't say for sure until I can get a second pair of hands to crank the key while I go nose around.

Thoughts? Suggestions? My only idea at the moment involves the starter. The wires connecting to it weren't labeled as well as they should have been when I disconnected everything, so it is possible that I have the smaller leads reversed. Grasping at straws, but that is the only thing that comes to mind.

Does this sound familiar to any of you?

[Doug E]

If it's not the starter then check your 14 pin connector ... wiggle it around a little bit to make sure all the pins are touching.

[mtelliott]

Have you checked battery. Could be a coincidence that the battery is low on voltage since it wasn't running for a while. That should be one of the first checks before you crawl under the car.

What did you do to the engine when you took it out?

Michael

[Rot 911]

Hopefully the noise is really a buzz and not the starter spinning and not engaging. Which would indicate you forgot to put the starter ring on the pressure plate. Don't ask me how I would know this.

[shrouded]

Originally posted by mtelliott
Have you checked battery. Could be a coincidence that the battery is low on voltage since it wasn't running for a while. That should be one of the first checks before you crawl under the car.

What did you do to the engine when you took it out?

Michael

Yeah... trying to jumpstart is the first thing on my list for tonight.

The motor was out for thermostat o-ring, oil level switch, & an oil return tube replacement. I dropped the motor only... transmission stayed in.

[shrouded]

Originally posted by Kurt V
Hopefully the noise is really a buzz and not the starter spinning and not engaging. Which would indicate you forgot to put the starter ring on the pressure plate. Don't ask me how I would know this.

Starter ring? Pressure plate? I know naught of these parts...

I took the starter off for a better view while mating the tranny & motor by removing the bottom bolt (the top was already off to get the tranny & motor to separate), & later I simply bolted it back into place. Should this process have been more complicated?

[silverc4s]

Make sure you have a good solid ground connection engine/trans to chassis.

[jdowty3]

Have someone listen by the starter when you try to crank it. Does it click like the solonoid is engaging and buzz like it's trying to turn or just whine like the it's spinng without catching the starter ring gear on the pressure plate?
The starter removal & install is not more complicated than you describe. You can pull the starter and test it verify the solenoid and motor are working.

[shrouded]

OK... after a bit of research, I now know what the starter ring gear is. That shouldn't be an issue, since I didn't remove it from the pressure plate in the first place. My only involvement in & around the transmission were disconnecting the back-up lights (still disconnected), cables from the starter, starter, 4 bolts mating the tranny & engine, and the clutch spring/lever/etc. underneath.

[shrouded]

It turns out my original guess was correct; the two smaller wires to the starter were in incorrect positions. Switching the wires (after trying to jump-start the car) solved the issue.

I finally got to drive my 911 again last night. Thanks!