This one could be the torque you applied to the knock sensor. There is a range, I think less torque, less sensing, so it won't retard the timing as much. Maybe you torqued it down too much. Do you have a blue or green plug on your wire? I believe 8v's are supposed to have blue.

I don't know about your second question. I've never taken a dash out personally either. What does the starter do, nothing?

I will re-torque the knock sensor. Does anyone want to swing by with a torque wrench? i cant find my and the one i borrowed sucked. yeah its a blue plug.... i think... The starter doesnt even make a noise whet trying to start it from the inside with the key. i just use a wire to go from battery to the starter to turn it over. It used to start from the inside

ok anyone want to come out and help me get this thing running?
need a torque wrench and some Know-how-to knowledge

ok so it is up and running.
but now want a different vehicle... will be up for sale

but if its running why sell it??? keep it and keep learning. easy as pie as soon as you fix it a few times

i want a different car not because this was a pain in the [arse] to fix but because i have an itch for the [darn] B3 wagon thats for sale.

thats going to be even harder to work on....... it is flippin sweet though

X2

ok anyone up to come take a look and give me a second opinion on whats wrong here? lol with my car that is.

If I didn't have to work tonight I might have