I need a good tech reference
 

I have a 85.5 944 that is not running, I need a good manual or something to trouble shoot the problem.
I bought a Haynes manual, but it just doesn't cut it.

Mike

the factory manuals are great, but very expensive. if you can find someone with an old microfiche reader you can get for next to nothing, factory manuals on microfiche are about $35

i don't think it will help alot with troubleshooting, the manuals are more of replacement procedures than troubleshooting.

you're best resource for troubleshooting is the people on this board. explain your problem, somebody is bound to have encountered it before.

was it ever running when the car was in your possesion? or did you buy a non-running car?

i assume you checked to make sure the fuel pump is running, and there is compression in the cylinders. if so, that should rule out the common problem of the fuel pump relay, and a broken timing belt.

if you crank it over several times, then pull the plugs, are they wet? can you smell gas? that should narrow you down between fuel and electrical problems.

Mike

Mike is absolutely right, the factory manuals are only any good if you have been to the factory training school. They are designed to...actually, I have no idea what they are designed to do..because they only tell you what you already know.

Diagnosis should follow a logical pattern. First you need to know what happned and then check the components that can cause that scenario.

The first thing to do is check the timing belt. If that is ok and the cam timing is correct, check the fuel pressure and ignition system. If either are not working, it won't start.