VW Electrics Starter motor

Bad Starting when hot

Field winding insulation failing/breaking down

Starter bushing (in bellhousing) on petrols worn

Ally: When it snowed the other day, I went out and tried to start my van but it just kept turning over and nearly going. It got slower and slower untill the batterry died. I took the battery out and recharged it, it's a new and powerful battery. Now it just clicks when I try to start it and doesn't turn over at all.

Is my starter motor dead? There was a burning smell after I tried to start it the first time.

HarryMann: If it didn't spin it very fast, that is what you are saying, then:

1) the battery isn't being charged up enough (generator, leaving too long between runs, short runs, poor charging connections etc.);

2) the starter motor field windings are breaking down, new starter;

3) the starter motor bushing is worn badly, creating misalignment high friction;

4) the engine or gearbox earth straps/braids & connections need checking for high resistance, breakages (can double up gearbox straps);

5) the main starter motor lead /connections needs checking for high resistance, breakages;

6) you bought a cheap or too small battery or it never really got fully charged up.

NB. Locate the source of the burning smell ASAP. Could be the starter motor armature winding insulation getting hot, or more seriously a bad earth or damaged cable. This is probably No. 1 on your list, look for smoke and check the battery connections are good (clean and use Nocrode or vaseline on terminals - and be careful with shorts/sparks when a battery has been rapidly discharged, fumes, explosion).

Typical fixes where it's NOT the starter motor itself

WindySurfer: I've just had a new gearbox fitted and started having starter problems when I got it back. Every time I hit the solenoid with a hammer is would start so I though it was knacked and I'd get a new one. Luckly I check the old on directly on a battery before buying a new one as it turned out to be a bad earth between the bellhousing and the starter, when I hit it with the hammer in must have earthed. Worth checking before you spend any money

Weldore: WindySurfer had the same problem as me and we fixed it exactly the same way..just clean up the bellhousing face and the face on the starter that mates to it... also check the braid link from the solenoid to the starter for corrosion as mine also had gone there...in parts it was like rusty wire wool

'Weldore: Jump off off the battery neg (-ve) and onto the solenoid body is a good check

Meggles: Tried the substitute earth.. nothing. Fortunately the starter packed up altogether so it was easy to check everything. Intermittent faults are such a nightmare :roll: Anyway, I removed starter, turned out to be a very badly corroded connection from battery+ side to solenoid. All is well now and no new starter to buy! Cleaned and lubed all other connections as a precaution.