Just in case anyone might find this helpful later, turned out the problem was the timing belt. Well, the ignition coil needed to be replaced too, but the reason the car wouldn't start ultimately was the timing belt.

Thanks! There's a couple things you mentioned I haven't tried yet. I should clarify about those bare wires though--they weren't burned, the car's previous owner must've tried rewiring a bunch of stuff in this car. The wires are a big mess. The protective rubber around the wires was intentionally tak...

Hi Everyone, I sure hope someone can help me. Not sure what else to do. Here's the problem: my 1985 740 Turbo won't start. The other week I put it in reverse as I was backing out of my parking spot, and it died--started up again right away though. Few days later I put it in drive coming out of my pa...