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General Information => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: AudiVWguy on March 18, 2009, 09:24:30 pm

Title: How Fast Should A Starter Turn The Engine? Is It Getting Old
Post by: AudiVWguy on March 18, 2009, 09:24:30 pm

I was just questioning when a starter is past its prime. It turns the engine over, I just can't tell if its just a little slow. Timing seems fine, but it takes about 6 to 8 seconds of cranking, with the engine warm, to start.
Anybody ever pulled the starter apart? How bad was it? Probable causes? Suggestions? I've got a couple of spares, one I know isn't so good.

Title: How Fast Should A Starter Turn The Engine? Is It Getting Old
Post by: the caveman on March 19, 2009, 06:43:29 am

Well on a TDI the starter must turn the engine at at least 300 rpms for the ecm to be able to fire the injectors, and  when I were troubleshooting starting issues, I would often see 400-500 rpms. When you are cranking it should be turning quickly enough that you can almost can't count the compression impulses.

Title: How Fast Should A Starter Turn The Engine? Is It Getting Old
Post by: saurkraut on March 19, 2009, 07:01:31 am

Try running a nice thick wire from the negative battery terminal to one of the bell housing bolts.  It might wake up your starter. The OEM grounds on these things suck.

Title: How Fast Should A Starter Turn The Engine? Is It Getting Old
Post by: AudiVWguy on March 19, 2009, 07:18:03 am

Sorry, forgot to mention welding lead fot the cables.Seperate ground on starter. Battery seems good, doesn't matter if I have a fresh batt jumped to it. I can easily count the turns as it cranks. Is the 1.9 starter more powerful than a 1.6? Compatiblity?
Thanks
-JB

Title: How Fast Should A Starter Turn The Engine? Is It Getting Old
Post by: saurkraut on March 19, 2009, 10:20:14 am

I seem to recall that a Eurovan starter will work.  Its supposed to be the HD replacement for a diesel starter.

Oh, and change the starter bushing in the bell housing.

Title: How Fast Should A Starter Turn The Engine? Is It Getting Old
Post by: subsonic on March 19, 2009, 11:08:10 am

I seem to remember the older 1.6 starters turned over faster while the newer ones had some sort of gear reduction to give it more torque but less rpm.  Anyone else recall this?

Ditto on the heavy guage wire to the starter and grounds.  Solder the connections etc. Bushing while its out-yep.

Title: How Fast Should A Starter Turn The Engine? Is It Getting Old
Post by: AudiVWguy on March 22, 2009, 07:31:35 pm

I found a guy on Ebay that has good used starters from 1.9. Can anyone confirm that this a better one than the 1.6. Otherwise, I have a used 1.6 of unknown age. Like everybody, if I have to replace a part, it would be nice to "upgrade" while I'm at it.
Thanks,
--JB

Title: How Fast Should A Starter Turn The Engine? Is It Getting Old
Post by: theman53 on March 22, 2009, 07:47:03 pm

I went to the parts store after many rebuilds and what a difference. Make sure to put the new bushing in ala Vince Waldon style.

Title: How Fast Should A Starter Turn The Engine? Is It Getting Old
Post by: AudiVWguy on March 25, 2009, 09:24:42 pm

I had one extra starter laying around, put it in, starts way better. Thanks for everybody's help.