Re: Tech Note: Starter Solenoid Not Engaging When Hot

[rdh@sli.com (Robert D. Houk)]

   I have been dealing with a problem on the qtc for some time where the 
   starter solenoid does not engage when the engine is hot.  I usually have 
   to either wait ~15 minutes for things to cool down or push start it (not 
   too dignified I must say).  I've been planning to obtain a rebuilt starter, 
   and I found out by scouring the parts fiche that there is a heat shield 
   that my car does not have.  

Ah yes, Audi trick #7B . . . I remember it well (if not fondly).
New starter has worked well for several years now (although once, in a
fit of nostalgia, it refused to crank for the obligatory 15 minutes).

   Looking at the wiring diagram it shows that the current used to pull in 
   ...
   I got a hold of a copy of *VW* Tech Bulletin Group 27 Number 92-02 that 
   talks about this issue on VW cars, in which it states "During cranking, 
   the voltage at terminal 50 of the starter solenoid must be at least 10 
   Volts.  This value will not be reached by older vehicles."  It then 
   ...
   It turns out that there is another one of the parts people at Carlsen
   named Mary that has put together the kit and has a few for sale.  I 

In addition to rounding up all the usual suspects (grounds/connections),
one that is easy to overlook is the battery ground. I don't mean the
neg terminal on the battery (which is obvious when it gets corroded), but
the body mounting point of the other end of the negative/grounding strap.
Make sure that contact point (surface) is clean and that the cable is,
ah, securely bolted down to it. As I was installing my trusty Sears Die-
hard (Don't laugh, it works better now than it *EVER* did with them thar
fancy and expensive furrin batteries), I replaced the ground cable with
a $4.99 "generic/autostore" cable, and cleaned the body-mounting point
to clean shiny metal. The car now cranks better cold at 20F than it used
to warm and 100F. And with no further attacks of nostalgia either . . .
(although I do have to put up with one Metric and one English battery
clamp nuts...sigh)

					-RDH