Mk1 Cabby - Stater Problem - Cabby Auto 1800 1990

I wonder if I might be forgiven for starting another thread on this matter.

Symptom is starter does not turn over.  Solenoid does not clunk.

Initially this would happen periodically with not logical pattern but now it will not start at all.

On turning key I can hear a relay clicking but the solenoid on the starter does not clunk.

Have tried with another battery on jump leads but no good.

Have taken off the heat sheild to reveal the connections on the starter solenoid and all appears well.

What is the next logical stage of diagnosis please.

Have you got feed to the starter? If so bridge the connections on the starter with a heavy duty wire. Please make sure car is in neutral first!!! 

Sorry Haysy - can you expand a little. Me not too good with electrics but sounds like you are suggesting I check to see if I have supply to starter and if I do bridge the connections between +ve and -ve on the starter.  Why would I want to do that?

When I used to work in the car trade. We used to bridge the conection. Basically bypassing the ignition. On the back of the starter you have 2 connections. 12v main feed (13mm nut connection) and 12v ignition connection (blade connector) after repairing a starter I would hold it in a vice (this being earthed) then bridge the connections with 12v. This will activate the starter. If nothing happens then its your starter. Generally the solenoid.  Or brushes in the rear of the starter. This is my method of testing. If it works then your starter ahould be fine. If it is then it could be a faulty connection or your wiring from fuse box or the ignition feed  from the key. Am I making sense now? Its easier to do than explain. Well it is for me. Lol. 

Is this a manual or an automatic? I note you said 'heat shield' so I'm guessing it's an auto?

I had a simliar problem, and did a  write up here is the links:

http://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=findpost&id=1220039#post_1220039

Thanks haysy.

OK.  This is my plan of action.  I am going to disconnect the spade connector to the solenoid.  I am then going to disconnect the main connections and connect in a hefty slave positive and negative, I am then going to touch the other ends of the slave to a battery and see if the motor turns over.  Is this your recommendation?

Just disconnect the spade connector. If your positive you have a good feed to the other connection, the  just use a thick wire to create a bridge. Starter should initiate then. The write up mentioned above is brilliant as well. :-) 

Glad you like it, Hope it helps!

haysy02 said

Just disconnect the spade connector. If your positive you have a good feed to the other connection, the  just use a thick wire to create a bridge. Starter should initiate then. The write up mentioned above is brilliant as well. :-) 

What do you mean exactly by "create a bridge"

Basically a short (short circuit) using a piece of wire to connect both connections together.

I am being slow I know (blame the Stella) but you are suggesting I take a short length of conductor and connect together one of the 13mm connectors on the starter solenoid to the other and should expect the starter to kick in?

Here are some pictures to try and make it clearer :









Your not shorting it out to earth, you either bridge the large terminals, by-passing the solinoid, or put a feed to the smaller wire, which is the ign switch feed to the starter, as opposed to the battery feed.

If you read the write up I sent, you will see from the pictures you can by pass the smaller solinoid wire without having to remove the starter.

I would do that first to see if you get any life out of the old girl first.

Thanks

Here goes - Report of findings.
1.  Confirmed +ve feed to big chunky connector on solenoid.
2.  Used slave lead and connected to spade connector on solenoid at one end and then - touched the other end on the +ve terminal on the battery - nothing.
3.  Used a heavy shorting lead and bridged the 2 large solenoid terminals on the solenoid. starter spun up instantly.

So - does this mean the solenoid has had it?

If you've put a live feed to the small spade on the solinoid and it's not doing anything, it does sound that it's dead, Jim.

Have you tried removing the solinoid and testing it off the starter?

It should just click in & out.

The problem with the auto is the proximity of the exhaust manifold down pipe etc. it runs to close the starter motor and cooks em. The only way I cured mine was new starter. It is a common problem and you should do the relay mod as pointed out as a matter of maintenance. It's a VW mod recomendation also. 

Anyone know if you can buy the solenoid separately?