No sooner do I get the 245 back together (timing belt broken) than the 745 stops starting. My wife reported it has been cranking slowly, and today, will not crank at all. Got it started by rolling and dropping clutch.
BUT wierdest of all, just tried moving the 744,and the exact same symptom.
Turn key to start, all lights come on, they don't even dim, but no crank.
I checked for voltage at the solenoid on the 745, and it was battery voltage there with the key in the start position, so it doesn't seem to be a corrosion or broken wire or even weak battery problem.
Just awhile ago the 744 was cranking slowly and I cleaned the connections at the starter and solenoid, but it hasn't made much difference.
I was thinking it's either the solenoid or the starter motor, but it's hard to believe both cars have the same failure on the same day!

Anyone have an idea of where some corrosion could cause this. It's been mighty wet and rainy the last few days and I'm wondering if that has prompted the failures.

Any easy tests known to check the solenoid versus starter?

744 & 745 16v 4+OD, 245 SE auto, 242Ti 4+OD, 245DL auto parts car

If lights do not dim, the solenoid contactor that puts the juice to the starter is probably not making contact. That is, the solenoid is not fully engaging or not moving at all. I'd suspect the solenoid.

Gary

Could also be a poor ground or return connection. Voltage looks like it is getting to the starter but it may not be getting back to the battery. Try directly connecting the starter body to the battery ground post with some jumper cables and try it again. If it still won't spin then your starter is probably bad. Sometimes wacking it with a hammer will make it work for a while if the brushes or solenoid are stuck or corrosion has developed between the starter and the bell housing.