91 200 20v No Start :(

[Huw Powell]

> Ok, I investigated and the big bolt wire has voltage all of the time, the
> red line only has voltage when the key is tured to the start position, but
> if I use pliers to bridge between the two, the car starts.  What do you guys
> think? maybe not enough voltage on the red line? it is somewhat frayed, but
> still attached.

Cool, there you go.  Now you know a lot more than before!

1. Your starter is good.

2. Your wiring is probably "iffy"

It's most likely that even though "12v" is getting to the starter from 
the ignition switch, there is not enough current capability to back it 
up (if you measured it while trying to crank, it would probably drop 
quite low).

So clean up the connection and start tracing it back towards the 
ignition switch. You can try injecting a good 12v at points along the 
way to see where the weak link is, use a 12 ga or so, fused and switched 
jumper wire from the + battery terminal to provide this.

Key locations for this that are easy to get to are the A/T lockout 
jumper in the fuse box, and the "start" connection at the ignition 
switch (ok, that's really "easy" to get to, but at least it's not deep 
behind the dash...)

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/