OK, so the starter turns over, but I do not hear the buzz indicating that the fuel pump is trying to prime the engine.

I started diagnosing by:

1) replacing two fuses (they were not burnt out, but just in case)

2) checking the in-line fuse on the battery (cleaned a little bit of dust from both contacts)

3) replacing the fuel pump relay in the passenger side kick panel

I then took it to Shop 1, which:

1) replaced the coil and

2) replaced the crank angle sensor which looked like a wiring harness from a 1983 (i.e., broken spaghetti).

Shop 1 told me that the fuel pump was not bad; it pumped when electricity was applied to it. They also said that the car would not start even with a new Engine Control Module, and the problem could very well be something called an ignition amplifier, where they detected a short.

I looked at the old ignition amplifier and noticed a thin white layer between the heat sink and the actual part.

But I also noticed that the casing for one of the two blue wires from the new coil to the ignition amplifier had melted. I replaced the old amplifier with a junker, and the car still won't start.

I now have it in Shop 2, and they haven't been able to diagnose anything in 3 1/2 days.

QUESTIONS:

1) This is a 1989 240, and I notice a distinct lack of availability of complete wire harness kits for this year. Is that because these don't go bad, or they are "universal," or is it easier to splice in new wires if one goes bad?

2) Is it a fool's errand to ask that the entire wiring harness be replaced?

3) Could it be as simple as the grease drying out between the amplifier and the heat sink?

4) Is there something that we're missing here?