87 Carrera won't start

[blau911]

Wondering if anyone can give me a clue what is wrong with my 87 Carrera cab.
Last week I puled off the steering wheel und removed the clam shell briefly to fix the high beam contact. Car was turned off and as far as I know, no unforeseen contact was made with any wires outside of undoing the horn contact. Put everything back where it belonged and checked the lights. Everything worked. Next day I wanted to take the car to the store. When I jumped in to start it, nothing happened. All the lights worked etc. but there was no response from the ignition when I turned the key. I thought that maybe the battery was low so I tried jump starting it. Still no change. The battery is only 1 month old so I am sure the battery is good. I was able to push start the car and drove it to my mechanic's shop. They put it up on the lift to check the starter and confirmed it was good. So the problem is therefore electrical.
The other problem is that my mechanic's shop is swamped right now, and it might be another week to 10 days before they are able to get to my car and trouble shoot the problem. Anyone have any ideas what it could be? DME relay, ignition switch, etc?
One odd maybe worth mentioning: when I tried starting the car, it felt like the key was vibrating when I turned the key all the way to the ignition position. In the first 2 positions there was no vibration. Does that indicate anything?
Any thoughts or ideas appreciated.

[OttoBob]

How did the shop confirm that the starter was good if the car won't start? My 87 just had the same problem, and it was a bad solenoid. Check voltage to the starter.

[blau911]

Hi Bob,
Thanks for the response. I wasn't there when they checked the car on the lift.
Quick question. Does replacing the solenoid require dropping the engine and tranny to get to the starter solenoid too?

[DRACO A5OG]

What is your voltage at the battery? if less than 12.6 it is drained.

If good, check the ground connection for hairline fracture, it will cause a bad continuity and no start.

You can also put the DVM to the starter solenoid to insure you get proper voltage there.

[OttoBob]

If it does need the sarter, you need a partial engine drop. In my case the shop is pulling the motor. Search for threads started by OttoBob regarding "what else to do", and my thread 87 carrera no start. I got lots of great info from fellow Pelicans

[Discseven]

Not sure what the configuration is on an '87... but on an '80 it is possible to pull the starter out without having to mess with a drop, partial or otherwise --- no offense OttoBob. It's not easy to access the Allen on the "far side" but it can be done with the right length extension on a socket wrench.

[88911coupe]

No way need to drop the engine to replace a starter. Have done it twice on my '88...all that is needed is a partial drop. Hope it's not too late to stop them...otherwise I'd take care of a heckuva lot of stuff considering what it costs to pay a shop to drop an engine...and put it back in.

[blau911]

I guess I got off lucky. turned out to be just the ignition switch. ;-)
Thanks for the feedback.