starter motor prob 1.6d

[transportersrule]

hi all
i have a 1.6d '85. starter sounded a bit sluggish last couple of starts put it down to the battery being a bit low. ive had it up on the ramps to fix a water leak(*^%&%^%$*** thing ended up taking diesel tank out etc) gone to start it to check and now starter seems to have given up **&^%%$&^%)
I wondered if any one has any ideas or if i just need a new starter (again)
The starter is clicking so soleniod working and the motor is spinning but doesnt seem to be engaging to turn the engine at all. the ring gear on the starter isnt that worn or the flywheel gear, ive taken it out and lubed it , checked the connections but just does the same, clicks and spins but no apparent engage in flywheel. any one got any ideas before i head off to GSF to lighten my wallet. (why are 1.6d starters the most expensive ones???)

thanks in advance and happy new year. hopefully some of it will be spent in the van and not under LOL)
ferg

[VWCamperfan]

Sounds like a problem with the actuating arm that engages the starter motors gears with the flywheel gear ring. Take off the solenoid and have a look. It may just be the case that the solenoid has come adrift from the actuating arm (it only slips over the top of the arm to pull it in).
Other than that, it could be the ring-gear slipping on the flywheel but this doesn't very often happen and it would make a rather distinctive sound!
Connections must be ok or the starter wouldnt spin. The solenoid has to engage first to enable the starter to turn. It has two jobs, one is pull the gears into alignment and engage them ready for turning. The other is to activate the switch (built into the solenoid) to supply power to the motor. If the first isn't working and the switch is still supplying power, then it has got to be a problem as stated above.

Have fun looking anyway!

[Louey]

take the starter to an Auto electricians if you don't fancy touching it yourself. It would be cheaper to get it repaired than buying one - could be the solenoid which they can supply separately.

best of luck.

I'm guessing you checked all the connections and wiring going to the starter?