944 starter problem
 

Guys,

I have a 1984 944 that won't start. I replaced the starter with a Bosch rebuild from Pelican. Still nothing, not even a click but the starter tested good and I swapped it for a different starter just to be sure and I still get the same thing. that rules out the starter unit.

The car has an aftermarket alarm sys so I thought maybe it was bypassing the ignition and was faulty so I hooked a test light up to the starter lead where it connects to the starter and it lights up when the ignition switch is turned so to me that rules out a faulty alarm, relay and ignition switch right ?

The test light indicates the starter is getting juice and battery is a full 12 volts as it's a new Optima battery. There doesn't appear to be any corrosion on the ground strap at the firewall either. All components like turn signals, headlights, wiper etc. works. Everything except the starter. Not even a click. And yes...I'm sure I replaced the connections correctly. Twice...What gives ? Anyone ?

Brian

Make sure the engine is grounded. There is a ground cable on the back off the engine(engine to body). Ground cable from the battery grounded the body.
Good Luck

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Bud

87 930 Black
86 951 Black
86 944 N/A Red (Part car)
87 944S White
83 944 N/A Black
83 944 N/A White

If your test light shows that you are getting 12V to the starter, but it isn't turning, it definitely sounds like a ground issue. The starter may be getting 12V, but it can't pull enough current to spin up. I would re-check the grounds, or try a jumper cable from the neg. terminal of the battery directly to the shell of the starter, if that works, you know it's a bad ground somewhere!

-Nick