No start... again

[akrallysport]

After letting my car sit for 4 days, I tried starting it. First turn of the key, it nearly starts. Try again, no go. The starter started spinning, once in a while catching on the flywheel. So I think starter/solenoid and install a new Bosch reman... now it just spins. Would a failed bushing cause it to just spin? I didn't replace it because I didn't have the time, otherwise I'd be late for work. What else could I looking at besides a fubar'd flywheel (which didn't seem to be the case).

[Doug]

If you are suspecting a gap on the flywheel  then put the car in gear and move it so that the engine turns a bit to reveal a different part of the ring gear to the starter. Then try the starter electrically. If it does not engage, then check alignment and also whether the bendix is actually working. Do you have it wired correctly? Is your battery good? Finally, sometimes remanufactured starters are not all they are supposed to be. Maybe you got a dud!

[Master ACiD]

did you replace the whole starter or just the solenoid?

[akrallysport]

replaced the whole unit. I just took out the new one, rechecked the ring gear on the flywheel, realigned the starter and still no go. I'm considering dropping the car off at the dealer (we've got an awesome service manager) but I won't get the satisfaction of fixing my own car... and my co-workers call me Mr Mechanic.  :cry:

[Master ACiD]

put the starter on the ground and step on it. then engage it with jumper cables and see if its working properly.

[akrallysport]

Had a look at again this morning... and I have become quite proficient at changing the starter. Originally, the battery was sitting at 12.59v, so I didn't think twice about it. After changing the starter and attempting to start it, I decided to check the batt again... uh oh. 12.36v and dropping fast. Called my mom out to start her Jetta and we jumped it with some difficulties, a blast of smoke and a crash of the engine mounts. We'll see if the batts holds the charge when I have to start it tonight to go home, if not I have a dead batt and alternator.

Lessons learned:
1 - Always check the battery.
2 - Even though it is a VW, never assume a starter problem.
3 - I've got it down to 15 mins for a starter swap, excluding bushing replacement.
4 - I need new wiring.

[jtanguay]

First thing I learnt when I got a diesel.  The thing requires a ton of juice to start.  Batt seemed ok so I started to think it was the starter, etc.  Dad came and jumped it and it started...  :lol:

I then put on new terminals to the battery, then upgraded the battery and never had that problem again (oh yea I bought one of those solar panels for it too... man do those things kick ass! keeps the batt topped up)

[akrallysport]

Started fine this evening. I may just get a new batt before the winter so that it doesn't go dead when I need it for ski days. That solar charger does seem to make more and more sense now.