starting problem--solution found!
 

I wrote in a few weeks back about a starting problem in my '87 n/a. What was driving me crazy was that using the "jumper method" going from pins 2,4, and 8 or 3,4 and 8 the car would start. However, putting in the fuel pump relay it wouldn't start. To make a long story short, I found a guy who looked at the relay schematic and he figured out that the relay ground (pin #1) was the culprit. We soldered a wire to pin #1 and ran it to a ground point under the engine. Now the car starts with the relay in place!

The above seems to be the solution. However, I would like to figure out why the relay pin #1 is not making contact in the relay board. If anybody has an idea of what is wrong there I'd sure be grateful to know. In any event, its starting to warm up and its going to be good to get the car on the road again.

Finally, I just want to thank everyone who has ever participated in this board. It is so helpful to get quick advice from owners who've "been there". I really don't think I could afford to own this car if I had to run to the shop each time I needed help with a problem. So I hope this bit of information above may help somebody else along the way.
Curtis in Spokane, WA

I did that with a tail light once. Ran a wire from the battery over the top of the car, under the hatch and to the connection on the light. Damn wire would start flapping in the wind over 30 mph and make all sorts of racket. Had to disconnect it when I parked the car or the battery would run down by moring.

Guess what I'm trying to tell you is that there are grounding points on the bottom as well as right next to the fuse/relay box under the dash. Didn't have to shade tree a wire all the way to "under the engine". Besides there is no pin #1 on the relay. But the factory schematics for the 83 and 84 do list the pins by sequntial numbers. So he used the wrong schematic for the car. Translation: Pin #1 is really pin 85 and should go to ground.

Thanks for sharing Newoldguy. Makes sense now that you know what the answer is. I'll remember that if mine ever does it.