Starter don't..

[Swann, Benjamin R. (BSWANN)]

John,

Thanks for the reply.  I couldn't get to this last night, as it was pouring
down rain.

I fabricated a u shaped jumper from some 6guage? ~ 1/4" wire I had from
wiring a branch circuit in my house.  It is Jumper cable or better sized
wire, and should do the trick.

I am a little confused as to which posts are which from what you are saying
below.  My intentionis to merely bypass the solenoid by jumping from the
post which has the + wire from the battery to the post which actually
provides power to the starter.  As most starters are similar in my
experience, I thought it would be the second large post, closer in to the
starter.  Which is the energizing terminal?  Is there a third large post?  I
did notice an unused terminal which would be inadequate to carry sufficient
current.  I assume this could be used to bridge additional power to ignition
during cranking and was not used in this application.

Am I overlooking something - likely, cause it is real difficult to see what
is what.  I only have a 5 cylinder starter motor for comparison.

The charging system and battery ignition, etc. in the car seem to be fine.
There may be a ground problem, as you indicate, as there is some cludged
wiring I am going to have to undo, and running an additional ground(one may
even be missing for all I know) to the trans. may be prudent.  The engine
did start and run fine before I swapped out front end components, which
should not be related, as I did not mess with any wires that I know about.

It is likely a combination of poor connections and marginal
starter/solenoid.  I will likely have to replace the starter, but feel I
should be able to crank the motor to get the car in a better position to
work on.  It is not in a place where I could readily push start - I do know
these tricks.

Regards,

Ben Swann
'86 4k (plain jane - non q 4 cyl)
+++++++++++++++++++++++

Message: 16
Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2000 19:30:30 -0700
From: John Larson <jdlarson at ix.netcom.com>
To: quattro at audifans.com
Subject: Re: Starter don't....

Jumping the 2 large posts will spin the starter but won't engage it.
Jumping the positive post to the energizing terminal will only work if
the starter is good. I'd check the engine (transmission) to body ground,
then the battery to body ground, then the hot cable to the battery, then
the hot cable to starter. Still no action, then jump hot to energizing
terminal. Spinning the starter with a jump of the 2 large terminals is a
waste of time. If the indicator lights on the dash dim appreciably when
you turn the key to the start position, there's a pretty good chance the
starter is toast. You could just get a couple of good friends and push
start the car. Use 2nd or 3rd gear, be careful. Won't work if the
battery is history, no juice to run the fuel pump, the ecu, and the
ignition system. Charging the battery with the alternator is a no no.
Starting the car with a charger or a "hot shot" is also a risky
proposition. One good spike and you'll wish you hadn't done it. You
might also check to make sure the engine turns over by hand. HTH, John