WTB: Mk2 turbodiesel starter

[Diesel_Zuk]

I'm guessing they are probably all the same, that being said, a new one is quite expensive for a college student lol. Anybody have a used one for a good price they can part with? It's for a 1991 ecodiesel, but I doubt that will make a difference. Thanks!

[Toby]

What is wrong with yours. They hardly ever fail. Mostly they need to be lubed and maybe a set of brushes. If its just the Bendix that is super easy.

[ilikevwdiesel]

pm sent

[Diesel_Zuk]

Well I was cranking it trying to get it started, had white smoke, and when I pulled the cold start, it would sputter a little bit, I kept trying, but it just wouldn't start. Then randomly, the cranking speed dropped, now it cranks extremely slow. I already tested a different battery, so I know that isn't the problem. Also, I had both batteries fully charged from the night before.

[GEE-BEE]

You will get more to the starter if you upgrade the cables #2 for positive
#4 ground

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/product.aspx?sid=equdeh55ynxecdmn42sff455&makeid=800026@VW&modelid=1283352@JETTA GL&year=1991&cid=18@Electrical %26 Vacuum&gid=4152@Starter

107.00 for rebuilt and 2 year warranity..

[Smoker]

What he said.  ^

I'd check/upgrade your wiring before you spend cash on a starter.  Even if better wiring doesn't fix it, it's still... well... better.

[fatmobile]

Yeah, and advance your timing a little.

[Diesel_Zuk]

Son of a beach. I had my local shop rebuild my starter, charged my battery, did timing and everything, and guess what??!!!!! IT STILL CRANKS SLOW!!!!!! I tried a jumper battery on it too, with very very little improvement. Where do I check next? The engine turns by hand with a ratchet good.

[Diesel_Zuk]

I should add, I didn't change the brass piece, I somehow forgot about it, until now. Is it possible that the brass piece can somehow cause slow cranking? Seems odd to me, but is it possible?

[Dakotakid]

Actually.....yes.

[theman53]

I should add, I didn't change the brass piece, I somehow forgot about it, until now. Is it possible that the brass piece can somehow cause slow cranking? Seems odd to me, but is it possible?

From what I have seen this is the #1 reason of failing starters. You HAVE to put a new bushing in every time a new/rebuilt starter goes in. I ruined a rebuilt unit in a week once because I used the old bushing.

[Diesel_Zuk]

Okey doke. I wonder if my parts house has them in stock, or if I will have to order it?

[ilikevwdiesel]

I have 3 good 020 starters in stock.

[Diesel_Zuk]

Threw on a mk3 tdi starter I had laying around, spun a little faster, but still not good enough, so I  ordered a bushing. Unfortunately nobody local had it, and the ones that could get it, it would be a couple weeks out, so I ordered from parts place.

[libbydiesel]

The exact same amount of current that flows through the positive cable also flows through the negative cable.  In fact, the current actually flows FROM the negative TO the positive.  Added length of cable can require one cable to be larger than the other (e.g. battery in the trunk) but if they are remotely similar in length and there is benefit to be had from increasing the size, then both should be increased the same amount.