1983 944 Not turning over

[Barre11head]

I have a question here, as I've pretty much replaced everything that could be the problem. Does anyone know if bad speed or crank position sensors could cause the engine not to turn over? I've got two on the way. List of things replaced:

Fuel Pump (twice)
Fuel Filter
DME
Computer
Battery
Fuses
Ignition switch (thanks Ian)
Starter (twice)

[Barre11head]

BTW.... I havent logged in to the forum since 2006. : ) Yes, it's been sitting there this whole time. Back at the time, the car would at least turn over and not start and I remember that it stopped turning over when I was working on it. I've since changed the starter.. actually on Sunday. I'm not saying it couldnt also be bad, but I know the two sensors are bad because they disinegrated in my hands basicly. The last two messages I got for help with this were from SOCAL Driver. And even though I've got a better grasp of what he was saying now, I certainly do miss him. I'll try and post the messages he sent me.

[krystar]

"does not turn over" meaning the engine doesn't move...?

does the starter click? is the engine seized?


or u just mean it turns over but just doesn't start?

have u verified that there's fuel? verified that there is spark? you shouldn't be just replacing parts w/o first diagnosing it

[Barre11head]

Honestly, most of the parts were replaced when it was turning over. The engine itself isnt turning over at all. I have power when I turn the key on, but it doesnt crank over. All my electrical tests were fine when I last checked. The only think I got to Sunday though was the battery and it was at 12.5. At my last check the coil was good, and I'm going to jumper the DME as soon as I get a chance to see if that fuel pump will stay running. I honestly think that at the time (four years ago) the issue with it not starting was probaly those two sensors, as I wasnt even aware of them. I'm just trying to figure out if I'm dealing with something mechanical or electrical or not. So if anyone knows if the engine should or shouldnt be turning over with bad speed/reference sensors, that would make me feel alot better. : )

Thanks

[zedsn]

Hi, your engine will turn over with bad reference sensors. Maybe your terminals need cleaned at the starter or up by the battery or maybe the selonoid switch wire underneather at the starter came off or broke and that is why it won't turn over.

[speedracing944]

If the reference sensors are bad your tach will NOT bounce when the engine is cranking.

Does your tach bounce when cranking the starter?

Speedy

[Laptop_geek]

If its been sitting for 4 years try checking the wiring from the battery to the starter, and the starter to the alternator. Could be they have got some corrosion in them causing them to have a higher than normal resistance. This was one of the problems one my 83 that was causing it to not turn over some times. Also, check to see if your starter is engaging. Clarks has a good write up on this

Checking Starter Operation

[owenexile]

Hi Mate , is it Auto or Man? My car had that problem and it end up being the solonoid not kicking in. Easy Test u can do is , Remove the Started and look if the solenoid kicks in. Have u tried turning the engine by hand? If it does turn try push starting it if its a Manual.

I might be wrong about the push start but defnitly check if ure Solonoid is kicking in. It cost me to take out my Imobiliser at some point because i thought the Imobiliser was Faulty.

Hope u get it running again mate.

[Barre11head]

Ok, I'm going to get some wire and create some Jumpers and run through that starter operation checklist that you posted off of Clarks Laptop_geek. That will at least let me know if I'm dealing with something like what you went through. Hi owenexile, I havent turned the engine over by hand but had thought about push starting it. It's a manual 1983 944, no power steering. The problem is, getting it back in the garage if it doesnt start is a major production : ). And I think I was getting a little bit of a tach bounce on Sunday speedracing 944. Maybe even though those sensors were breaking apart, they were still getting a reading from the computer. I'll try all of this over the weekend and I'll let you guys know what I find. Thanks everyone! It's nice to know that you've got friends that you can bounce these problems off of sometimes. You can really feel like your're all alone and stuck sometimes. And there is no way I'm taking it in to some shop who knows less than me and all of you guys who have actually lived some of these problems.