help needed for mechanical idiot!!!!!!!(again)

hi everyone,
 Some one please help me,
       My '83 gti wont start, i've checked ALL connections (twice,) checked all fuses, battery power, all good. Changed the starter, still nothing!!!! Starter clicks once, then…. nothing, I then put the old starter back on,,, same thing, clicks once then.. nothing. Im surrounded by haynes manuals and my car hasnt moved for 3 days now, Ive pulled out what little hair i have left and am almost on my knees in tears. (i guess thats what its all about, and yes i do LOVE all that comes with mk1 ownership, i just wish i was driving around moaning about my f***ing oil buzzer again, lol.) Anyone with any idea or suggestions please please help.
               thank you so much everyone, Dave (kainesbwza)

Do you own a voltmeter?

hiya mate, no sadly i dont, but am starting to think i'd better buy one, or at least borrow one

How did you check battery power?

I noticed that all lights were working, and i forgot to disconnect it so got a good few sparks when my ratchet touched the offending nut and gearbox together, so i assumed (maybe stupidly) that power was good,

AA or rac? Just say it won't start and you don't know why?

yep, Thanks, i think youre right, RAC it is, (well we do pay these premiums for a reason, i suppose, lol)
Thanks again, Dave (kainesbwza)

your starter could be stuck?, just a thought, try hitting it with a hammer whilst someone turs the key, i had one with this problem once and it worked, also check power to the starter

good luck

chris

Check the basics first - measure the battery voltage, look at the connections and tighten them up. Can it be bump or tow started?

It could be sticky starter motor solenoid but rereading the original post, he's already swapped the starter motor.

kinda by the way , i had godless time figuring out what was up wi the mk2 (same bits/setup) and it ended up bein the brass bush the starter engages into , more likely to be earth or power cable tho

Hiya everyone, just thought id update you on my drama, had rac out today, turns out that it was a mix of, lazy starter, f**ked battery and stretched fan belt (hence battery) So i chanced a battery that hadnt worked when it was last on the car and HEY PRESTO its fine. crazy i know. But the best part of the day was having half an hour blasting around quiet welsh b roads before work without the kids or any other stress, it put the smile back on my face BIG style.(the oil buzzer even behaved its self) But…. and im sure there is always a but…. had the wheels balanced the other day before it packed up and now at 80 it violently shakes, so thats tomorrows worry. ( i think im just going to chip the weights back off as it was better before)
Thank you everyone for reading my posts and thanks to those who offered advice, a proper sound bunch of people, Dave (kainesbwza)