[Vwdiesel] Starter problems-vw rabbit diesel pickup

[mark shepherd]

Could be corroded power terminals on the solenoid, or still possibly ignition switch not passing enough current. 
What's the current required to pull the solenoid on a starter?

Mark
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Tad 
  To: mark shepherd 
  Cc: vw fans ; doonboggle 
  Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2009 12:30 AM
  Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Starter problems-vw rabbit diesel pickup


  The 'clunk' would be the solenoid, so that would imply that the key circuit is working.  


  Check the part number on the starter.  


  On Tue, Dec 8, 2009 at 4:20 PM, mark shepherd <mark at shepher.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:

    Could be that you've wasted money, as it may be your ignition switch giving
    out, and not a starter issue at all... :o(

    Mark


    ----- Original Message -----
    From: "doonboggle" <doonboggle at yahoo.com>
    To: <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
    Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2009 12:13 AM
    Subject: [Vwdiesel] Starter problems-vw rabbit diesel pickup



    Recently joined after puirchasing a 1981 rabbit diesel pickup with 1.6L
    engine. I am no longer 'my mechanic' due to having some disks in my spine
    bolted-screwed together a few years ago, and not as nimble as I used to be.

    So took it to a local 'vw expert', who turned out to not be so expert ...
    when it comes to diesels ... only air cooled it seems.

    One of the things he advised right away was that the starter (apparently
    original) was 'shot'. So I went looking, and found a fellow who said he had
    one for that year that he bought a few years ago, had never used, and that
    it was "rebuilt". So bought it.

    Took to the expert, and today, after doing a valve job, and supposedly
    retiming the injector pump (my command), he called and said the rebuilt one
    was 'shot' also. He took me to the truck on his floor, and turned the key.
    Immediately it started, which seemed to surprise him. So he turned it off,
    and sure enough, it took about 3-4-5 more key 'on' before it engaged ...
    with just a clunk in the background.

    So am wondering ... could this rebuilt starter be for a gas rather than
    diesel? Does it make a difference? Dummie me never considered this. To me,
    starter is starter.

    If no difference, what could it possibly be? I have no reason to disbelieve
    the fellow who sold it to me, and it did in fact come in the original
    shipping box that indicated rebuilt.

    Oh, by the way, the battery is new. Only odd thing is that last night, the
    temperature got down to 10 degrees below in our little podunk town, but when
    I was there for his exibition, it was mid day, and the interior was not that
    cold.

    Open for suggestions.
    Thanks
    Chuck




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