[Vwdiesel] starter issue in Diesel Vanagon

[Bryan Belman]

yeap, most likely going to have to get another starter, but I was hoping the starter repair place could have told me this, that is why I gave it to them.  I am sure they bench tested it and it worked fine before giving it back to me??
I am sure it will work on the bench after I take it out this evening, but in the van it is not working???? arggg.  thanks Sandy.  If you want to send me the stuff you have on the internal workings of the VW starter, I will read it over, thanks.
 

Bryan Belman, Pt. Pleasant, NJ
04 Jetta Wagon TDI PD, 100hp, 5sp -- running :<)
92 Jetta 1.6 Eco-Turbo Diesel, 5sp -- running :<)
82 Diesel Westy 1.9NA -- running :<)
70 Type 1 stock Elm Green Beetle -- Under Restoration :-)

From: Sandy Cameron <scameron at storm.ca>
To: Bryan Belman <dieselwesty at yahoo.com>; vwdiesel at audifans.com 
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 9:44 AM
Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] starter issue in Diesel Vanagon

Did you try running it on the bench?

OLD PM starters sometimes develop magnet problems.

I had one on a mercury outboard (same kind of internal ceramic magnets)
where the magnets started to disintegrate, and along with loosing their
magnetisim, started to come apart and eventually jammed the rotor.

I've never seen a vanagon setup naked, so don't know how that starter is
built. The car starters have a planetary gearset inside the motor caged in
that infernal white plastic the Germans love so much.

All plastics continue to outgas their softeners over the years and grow
brittle, and eventually crumble. Yours may have grenaded and jammed the
armature inside. 

If your engine is not locked, bench run ( jog) the starter to prove it's
actually trying to turn.

The fact that your solenoid slams in strongly shows the current is passing
thru the motor, brushes, etc, which is how the solenoid gets it's pull-in
current. 

I have a description of the 1.6 diesel car starter, and dismantle/assemble
instructions I can send if you need it.

Sandy