[Vwdiesel] Starter won't

[Shawn Wright]

Yesterday my '85 Jetta NA decided to not start. Battery was ok, and the 
usually trick of shorting the ignition and power leads on the starter did 
*nothing* except spark, not even a solenoid click. I got it push started, and 
it's started 3-4 times since with no trouble. I have a spare starter, but realize 
I've never got around to gettnig the 8mm 12point socket - I've always fudged 
it with an 8mm hex. This one is too tight to do that. I suspect the starter may 
have got some water in it when I pressure washed the engine about a week 
ago. Perhaps the solenoid has some rust in the cylinder? I know the ignition 
switch can also fail, as I've had that on two other VWs, but in those cases, I 
was always able to use a screw driver to short the starter terminals. Any 
other possibilities I'm missing? I will double check working, but I don't think 
that's the problem - all look clean and tight.


Shawn Wright
http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels
'88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
'85 Jetta Diesel 1.6NA