starter inconsistency

[Brett Dikeman]

On Dec 17, 2007, at 3:34 PM, Bernie Benz wrote:

> Likely the battery.

If it clicks and various accessories work, it's most certainly not the  
battery.  Clicking means it is not the ignition switch.

A more likely culprit is the copper strap from the solenoid to the  
starter.  It's well known to corrode and fail on almost every 5- 
cylinder Audi/VW built.  If you install a new/rebuilt starter, paint  
the cable- heavily.

Another possibility is a dead-spot on the starter rotor, or damaged  
commutator.  The cable is easy enough to visually inspect.

Brett