4ks / 80 starter removal procedure?

[EBavely]

Hello all...

My 1988 80 (fwd...4cyl)  has been acting strangely upon startup lately.
When cold, the starter will hesitate slightly, but will usually start the
engine after a few cranks, but then at operating temperature, the starter
will barely kick over at all.  When I push start it at times like these (how
humbling...), it will start right up when I put it in gear and let out the
clutch.  The problem seems to be related to getting enough juice to make the
starter turn at the intended speed.

I've checked the battery, negative cable and the battery side terminal on
the positive cable, so now I'd like to check the connections on the starter
and if need be, the starter itself.  In the archives, several people mention
that the solenoid connections can get dirty or corroded and can cause this
problem... Any thoughts or experience?

My real question is what is the proper procedure in getting to the starter
contacts or removing the starter?  It's tight in there and I even had to use
a telescoping mirror to even see the contacts...

Since the starter is wedged between the block and the exhaust, it looks as
though the downpipe/exhaust will have to come off as well as possibly the
a/c compressor and the lower motor mount bolt to gain access to this area.
I'm assuming that since this is a 4 cyl fwd car, that the procedure is the
same as with the 4000S fwd cars...  Can anyone help me out on this one?

Thanks in advance...

Elliott Bavely

86 4000CS Quattro
88 80 Fwd
83 Coupe GT
83 GTI FSP Racey car
83 GTI 16V
90 VW Cabriolet