starter problem

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king angeles
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:50 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1993

starter problem

Post by king angeles »

even with a new battery the starter fails unless i reach down and tap it a few times but when it does turn it sounds like steel discs rubbing together.
is this just lubrication problem or anything needs replacing?
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gull
Posts: 817
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2006 6:30 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1989
Do you own a Cabriolet?: Yes
Location: Auburn, WA
Contact:

Re: starter problem

Post by gull »

If it works when you tap it either the brushes are worn out or the solenoid is sticking. Probably time to get a rebuilt starter. If it's grinding you may want to make sure all the bolts are tight, first.
VW fan who fell to the Honda side of the force
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sixsracing
Forum Niceguy
Posts: 1102
Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2004 3:14 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1991
Do you own a Cabriolet?: Yes
Location: Bangor, Maine

Re: starter problem

Post by sixsracing »

I assume this car is a standard, cause automatic starters are miserable to get to. There is a bronze bushing in the bell housing that will wear out over time and give you similar symptoms. It allows the bendix drive to flex under load (ie starting) and binds the starter gear up against the flywheel.
Gull is right about the starter bolts, I have had cars come in with the transmissions literally falling out.
There really isn't anything to lubricate, if the bearings are shot in the starter then time to replace it.
91 Cabriolet, red w/white
86 Cabriolet white/white (oldest daughter)
97 Golf, black (youngest daughter)
98 Beetle, red
94 Cabrio, dark green (oldest son)
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User avatar
gull
Posts: 817
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2006 6:30 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1989
Do you own a Cabriolet?: Yes
Location: Auburn, WA
Contact:

Re: starter problem

Post by gull »

Mine had all the starter bolts loose when I bought it. The driver's side lug nuts, too. I think the previous owner was trying to kill me. ;)
VW fan who fell to the Honda side of the force
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sixsracing
Forum Niceguy
Posts: 1102
Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2004 3:14 pm
What year is your cabby?: 1991
Do you own a Cabriolet?: Yes
Location: Bangor, Maine

Re: starter problem

Post by sixsracing »

A customer brought his cabby to me with a malfunctioning starter. I reached down and moved the transmission up and down about 3/4 inch with my hand. He had put a clutch in about a year before and one bolt was missing, the rest were backed out or not engaged at all. He was a little red-faced.
91 Cabriolet, red w/white
86 Cabriolet white/white (oldest daughter)
97 Golf, black (youngest daughter)
98 Beetle, red
94 Cabrio, dark green (oldest son)
Cogito Ergo Zoom
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