[Vwdiesel] Check engine light. Spoke too soon
Sandy Cameron
scameron at storm.ca
Sun Jan 10 06:19:01 PST 2010
At 01:46 AM 1/10/2010 -0600, you wrote:
>Well, I spoke too soon. Driving home from practice the next night, the
>ABS light, the CEL, and a loud beeping all activated.
Completely outside my Pre-computer experience (thankfully)
However, the effect below is well known to me.
>
>I'm assuming it's unrelated, but another oddity. Tonight, after warming
>up, I was still worried about the above and stopped and re-started the
>car a few times in quick succession. Each time, right after starting
>for a second there was an odd whirring/ratcheting sound.
I have chased this sysmptom in the past, and found it it usually due to a
dry back-end sleeve bearing on the end of the starter. If left uncorrected,
it will eventually self-destruct, needing a new starter.
Usually manifests itself after mid-life mileage (100,000 plus), and more
commonly in COLD weather.
On the A2 and A3 starters I have saved from this, it is very easy to
correct, as the cover of the bearing is easily removed with 2 small Philips
(star-head) screws.
Hosing off with brake cleaner, re-lubing, first with motor oil, then finally
filling the cap with lithium grease and replacing, should cure it.
On my cars, which I drive for 20 years, this has never recured on any I have
treated.
I have a long-form disertation onthe process if anyone wants it.
Sandy
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