4000s starting issue (no click/crank)

[928s at canada.com]

I been running my car w/o issue for many months.
the one morning i go to start my car & nothing happens.
lights illuminate on dash as key turns, hear the fuel
pump start but no 'click' or crank in the engine bay.

i recharged my battery as i thought it might be lean
even in summertime. checked fuses.

i notice there's no specific relay for ignition as it's
a function of the ICU.

looking through the audi factory manual, it mentions
checking the transmission ground strap. When i google I
cannot find any refernce to this. Is this the same
strap near the motor oil refill cap?

The only consideration I can think of is that we had a
hard rain a few days back as it's been a dry summer and
maybe something further corroded afterwards.

i searched the audifans archive but didn't get an
answer to my 'no-sounds starting' issue.

_av
'86 4000s auto
5-Cyl. 2.2
288K Km. in Canada