87 Audi won't start ***[ starter solenoid wiring]

[Ben Swann]

No fusable link unless someone added it.  Sounds like a problem between the IGN switch and the solenoid terminal.

It may be the red 2.5mm wire from the fusebox to the starter solenoid.  I have seen them go bad several times.  The fix is to run a new wire from the fusebox - need to get underneath and crimp the new wire to the existing wire, if you don't have the special tool to remove the wire connector.  Usually that part of the wire is still good.  The wire tends to get progressivly more shot* as you get closere to the starter.  This combination of oxidation and heat tend to make the wire breakdown and exhibit very high resistance - although the ohm meter may show it continuous, it does not allow sufficient current to pass to enable the solenoid.

To find the wire lift out fuse panel - may want to disconnect battery ground first.  There are 2 or three 2.5mm  red(often pinkish) wires coming out of the bottom of the fuse box that are not  power feeds - I forget which connector it is on, but look at terminal block B and see if there is one coming off that. This wire should be continuaous to the metal strip located at the relay #8 [auto trans lockout relay] position.   BTW hubby tried applying 12V directly to this strip, correct?   OIC yours is automatic-> you may want to double check the lockout relay and circuitry, which runs back to the shifter lever.   Doing that will "hotwire" the starter and if the wiring is good enable solenoid which if good will start the car, at least you would hear the click, or if solenoid shorted be seeing sparks and drawing too much current for a solenoid. 

Refer to your specific wiring diagram, and I don't have the '87 5k one handy, but '87 4k diagram shows the connector location to be B50a.

Once you know where to connect the wire, run it along the existing harness carfully as you don't want it to chafe and short out - it needs to be run along the crossmember and then to the solenoid.

Happy wiring!

Ben

[Subject: 87 Audi won't start ***
To: quattro at audifans.com
Message-ID: <v04220825bd4ff7c41cfb@[63.186.169.60]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi - My hubby's car will not start.

87 Audi 5000
Automatic
Non-Q
Non-Turbo

Ignition switch does not activate starter.

No voltage at starter terminal.  

Starter and solenoid *seem* okay . . . 

Jumped terminals of ignition switch plug with no result.

He got it started by hot wiring it.
He has gone through the Bentley manual.

Is there any fusable link or other device between ignition and starter solenoid ?

Is there anything else he might have forgotten to check ?

Thanks mucho !

Cat]