87 cabriolet does not turn over

If you are saying that the vehicle will turn over only when jump started and nothing when not connected to another vehicle then I would check the earth connection from battery!

It is best to "trickle charge" a low/dead car battery using the lowest setting. The "jump start" function will probably not have enough juice to start your car by itself. Refer to the manual of your charger for safety precautions.

sound like starter,have you can have starter checked out at any auto parts stores for free.replace both battery cables if they are old as vechicle bad battery cable will cause start problems. turn off radio first before removingnegative battery cable

Is this a manual transmission? I can't recall for sure, but I know my 1987 Cabriolet does not have a clutch safety switch, but the Jetta's might.

Can you jump the starter solenoid and get it to turn and run? It could be a bad or broken connection on the starter wires, or a bad solenoid, but id count on a connection issue. Or if its an automatic it may have a safety switch issue, try starting in nuetral if its an automatic.

could very well be starter, battery should read 12.45 or so,,,does the car try and turn over or just nothing?Did you try jump starting it? when you turn key to on position is check engine lite on?

The engine is probably overheating. The starter won't work if it's very hot. Engine issue needs to be addressed. There are myriad reasons why the engine would overheat.

sounds like it might be a bad connection on the starter try jumping the starter and see if it turns over

you need to get your remote staring system manual and reprogram it, or go to the brand web site of your remote system and get a manual. the worst that could hapen is that you will have to take it to your nearest audio, car alarm shop and ask them to disconect it.

check the starter, start with the wires running to the starter, if everything looks ok remove the starter and have it bench tested.

sounds like jumped timing belt maybe chain ,no spark is my guess if it turns over and dont even make a pop noise..