I just finished a clutch job on my 86' 944, now everything is back together but it wont start. I replaced and the speed and reference sensors along with the bracket, with the updated version (the one with the sleeve over the reference sensor) because I broke the old ones taking them out. I gapped the sensors properly. I,ve got lots of compression and lots of fuel but the timing of my spark is way off. I checked for pattern in the spark and found its totally random and not in proper sequence. At one point I did have the poles reversed on the coil, Is it possible that this would have fried the computer? Or is there some way to recalibrate the system?

 

Possibly fried the system. Did you remove the spark plugs wires by any chance? Could have gotten those mixed up if so.

 

Oh, and you made sure you connected the speed sensor to the right connector on the harness, and the reference sensor to the correct connector right? They can not be backwards.

 

I took the wires off the plugs only to test the firing order, but they are definitely back in the right spots, the reference sensors are in the proper bracket, when i switch them I don't get any spark. I,m wondering if because the new bracket I put in is different could it be sending a slightly different signal to the computer than before? Also the TDC sensor wire goes up to what looks like a test plug on the back of the engine what is this used for ?

 

Some sensor brackets had a raised area on them for the speed sensor, and some used a washer. If your first one had a washer, and the second had a raised area, and you used the washer, then your gap would be way off. Does the tach bounce when you are cranking the car?

 

neither bracket had a washer, but the original didn't have a sleeve for the reference sensor and the new one does. Yes the tach does bounce when cranking.