Club 80-90 Forums

Ok, got my starter off and removed the solenoid. The internal contacts for the posts provide continuity when the internal pin is depressed by hand. The plunger plunges smoothly, is clean and well lubricated. The starter pinion travels its path smoothly and easily.

The is continuity between the trigger spade and the body (earth), but also between the trigger spade and plunger . Is that correct?

Anyway, the bit that matters, no matter what battery I put on it, the solenoid does not operate the plunger, there is just no movement at all. And that suggests that despite there being continuity through the coil, it's not doing much...

It suggests that the field coil is compromised or the circuit has suffered some corrosion.
And there's not sufficient magnetism when energised to throw the plunger
New solenoids are available for the old Bosch starters.
My local repair shop can get them.

Aye, Kevtherev, I was thinking it was an unrepairable symptom. There's a couple of options on eBay, Monark which looks to be a German brand, and what looks like an NOS VW solenoid. I'll also try a supplies shop in London (jcr supplies) that advertises having a huge range. Thanks for the offer though, generous of you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you're ever needing that unusual item that's only available from the frozen north, just ask...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

JCR supplies recognised the Bosch number, posting it 1st class this morning, not much over £20 inc postage! Looking good so far...

Received the solenoid. It fits.


Curiously the are two spade connectors on opposite sides. There is not continuity between them, when my initial assumption is that there would be, with the second providing an earth from the field coil.
The field coil is earthed through the solenoid body.

Tested, jump leads to the double spade seen at the bottom of the solenoid, and the body. Solenoid operates. AND, at the same time the motor starts to turn! My question is, should that be happening, and if not, what has the second spade got to do with anything?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And it starts - Happy Camper!.

I have nothing connected to the second spade - should I earth it? What should I do to test it's function? It works but I feel uneasy - I'm concerned that something might go wrong
What is at the back of my mind is that the starter motor turned slowly (when off the van) when I applied current across the field coil. So that says to me that current was flowing through the field coil, and connecting with the starter motor supply before exiting the earthed body. I wonder if this second spade becomes an earth point when the plunger in the solenoid plunges...

No, just ignore other spade.

And the manufacturers page
http://www.woodauto.com/Component.aspx?Ref=SND1168" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
describes it as a 3 terminal unit... So maybe it is a terminal that isn't connected to anything.

Could it be that spare terminal becomes live when starter is operating ,maybe to bridge out a ballast resistor on a petrol ignition system , if so connecting it to earth would cause a short circuit. !

Yes ignore the other terminal
Glad you're all sorted, I thought I might be expecting a parcel.

Cov kid, sorry I missed your post earlier.
Cecil, thanks for the suggestion and advice!

Kev, it was nearly on its way to you, but JCR Supplies came up with the goods, £21.70 inc 1st class postage was a hard offer to turn down. I'd recommend them, only sticking point was that they needed a Bosch part no, but I got that in seconds on the internet while on the phone to them.

So is it to be expected that testing the solenoid out of the van makes the starter motor turn as well?

This type of starter should not be tested out of the van.
Damage can occur to the bearing as the dog gear is not supported without the bush

Kev - it is OK, it is a diesel!

I do say this a lot but the vast majority of apparently defunct starters can be fixed fairly easily. When you consider the price some outlets charge for reconditioned units its a good incentive to at least try.