I've got a progressively worse no-start 1995 945 8-valve w/ 225k miles

There are a couple other electrical gremlins that may or may not be related, but I think I may have narrowed it to a bad starter. All lights come on and function, but I get nothing at all on the key turn. The function is partial and intermittent at best, but nothing now, even with a cold engine.

I confirmed voltage from the battery as a solid 12.5 volts. I confirmed battery ground to chassis with no resistance. I then confirmed voltage across the solenoid terminals as 12.5 volts and battery to engine ground with no resistance.

Then I tried the old trick of shorting the two solenoid connections to get the starter to briefly run. Nothing. So... either there's something about that short-test that doesn't work on this car (due to some NSS issue), or the starter solenoid is dead.

ideas? If someone knowledgeable will second the starter as the culprit, I'll unbolt the oily thing and take it to the parts shop for testing and replacement tonight.

If this could still be an NSS or other wiring issue please let me know.

Pushing, pulling, and shifting to neutral makes no difference in the starter function - or lack of function so I am less likely to think it is the NSS...