hi im new here i have an 86 turbo deisel sedan and some times it wont crank over by the key. I used too go under the car and short the battery + cable across to the small solinoid power wire. this would make the starter jump then i would get back in the car and it would start fine by the key. this happens probably 1-2 times a week. every other time it starts fine fires right up. im trying to track the source of this problem becuase today after i had stopped for a second i went to start it. and it wouldnt crank i did the hot wire thing and then it wouldnt start by the key like it usually does so i had to leave the key on start position and hot wire it to start. got it home and now it starts fine. my dad thinks i should take the starter out but thats so much work i think there is an issue where the starter solinoid sometimes doesnt get power to it maybe bad key switch. next time it happens im going to stick a test light on the junction block that goes down to the solinoid wire. this should light up when the key is turned to start. if it doesnt my problem lies in the key switch or wireing not the starter or solinoid. has any one had a problem like this?

 

It sounds like your on the right track. It is most likely to be the starter motor. See how your test goes

 

When it doesn't turn, do you hear solenoid click?