My 2001 996 ran just fine yesterday. Drove it home no problems. Went to crank it this morning and got all the lights, radio, a/c but starter won't turn. I removed the battery and charged it with no change. Still won't crank. Headlights don't dim when cranking and the battery is about 3 years old. Any ideas? Clutch switch, starter? Any help in troubleshooting (other than load it up and take it to the shop) would be much appreciated.

 

Clutch switch or starter selinoid would be my best guess. If the starter is not turning or making a sound...clutch switch.

 

does it make any noise at all when you turn the key ?

 

no noise when I turn the key other than lights, etc. battery seems fine and don't hear the slightest crank from the starter.

 

Clutch switch

 

Does the horn honk? Horn draws a lot of amps. If the horn sounds weak. Then it could be the battery. Might also be ignition switch plus the other items listed above.

 

horn honks fine. I'll put a meter on the battery but yesterday it was holding around just over 12V. I haven't trouble shot the clutch switch but I assume I pull off the wires, jumper them together and see if it cranks? Is that the right way to do it?

Sounds like the hardest part will be getting my body upside down with my head between the pedals!!

 

a bit of an update. battery is good, i checked the continuity on the clutch ignition lock switch and it checks good too. when i turn the key i do hear a "pop" or loud click from the starter solenoid so it's getting juice. my guess is that the starter motor is toast. What do you guys think?

 

Alright, the mystery continues... I pulled the starter and it's fine. In doing so, the connector delivering power to the starter/alternator was heavily corroded. The rubber boot had melted and there was arcing between the two wires (popping sound and flashes). Could that be precluding the starter motor from engaging? I'm thinking of reinstalling the starter, pulling the battery and connecting jumper cables to the back of the starter. That way I can see if it will turn over and would lead me to think the cable is the bad component. What do you think?

Pic of the cable below.

 

Yes. The connector delivering the power to the starter/alternator can certainly prevent the starter from engaging. The solenoid must move the pinion gear in complete engagement with the ring gear on the flywheel and close a swtch before the starter motor turns.

Do not use jumper cables at the starter. Just fix the connector/cable. Obviously it being as bad as you describe it it needs to be replaced regardless.

And check the other connections and cables too while you are there.