Last fall we had looked at a 1989 740 GL, at that time it started and ran fine. After sitting over the winter, we acquired it and now it won't start. The motor turns over, and you can smell the fuel, however it doesn't seem to be getting any spark... The distributor cap has been changed, and the air-mass sensors are fine. Any ideas?

The first step in diagnosis is to see if you have spark at the plugs. You cannot on "seem to". There is much info on this in the FAQ section.
--
David Hunter

Go to "http://brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/"

Just experienced the same problem , Usually in a no start situation like yours it is one of three things . 1 Fuel injection suppression relay , located on your anti freeze overflow , passenger side , 2, Fuel pump relay ( Most of your relays will be forward of your shifter at the bottom of the consol) 3, Your crank sensor if you have the Bosch Injection system , this is located below the distributor on top of the bell housing . If you have the Regina system , then the wires on your distributor could be shorted . If you do not have a manual , buy one , mine has paid for itself many times over . With a manual you can even read the codes in your car. Go to the site that I listed and many things are explained in more detail there . Good luck . MIke

Look below at the no spark items-

240/700 no-start:
(never starts or catches at all)
1) got gas?
2) check for timing belt breakage

intermittent: has spark
3) fuel pump relay- very common fault, cheap
4) 25 amp fuse (83-88) or interior 16 amp fuse very common fault, cheap
5) wire at battery or fuel pump
6) fuel pump rare, expensive, often bogus diagnosis

intermittent, no spark:
impulse sender (89-on) very common fault, still pretty cheap
power stage

89-on, suspect ECU
700- additional considerations
swap radio suppression relay w/ fan relay
power stage