wont start, electrical

1983 golf gti 1800

have started having this problem with my golf that first thing in the morning and last thing at night, car starts first time no problem. But if its day time or has been driven anywhere it wont start.
i turn key, ignition lights come on fine, fuel pump starts, relay clicks but that it. Battery and starter motor both fine. have been cleaning all electrical terminals but no joy. its like if its above a certain tempreture something is getting hot and failing.
ive run out of options on this one. tryin to mantain it myself, dont want to have to take it in the garage. Somewhat frustrated

This is very similar to my own problem a few weeks ago…..

Basically, in the morning when the engine is cold the starter is also cold and so the engine starts - albeit very slowly turning over. When the engine warms up and so the starter i THINK that either (a) the shaft in the starter seizes through expansion or (b) the windings are somehow effected by the heat… this was refferred to as a lazy starter .

Anyway, i just run it until one fine sunday i tried to start it and smoke came out of the starter and it was red hot. Kaput. I bought a new one from Euro car Parts for ?80 all in, and it is great.

It might be worth getting a second hand starter for a tenna and trying it in.

Hope this helps.

sounds about right. iv'r had this on a starter on a different motor. won't mention it was a ford capri.

that was my first thought so i had the starter refurbished.

also i can start it by putting a wire from the live terminal on the starter motor and bridging to the spade terminal and it will start which out rules the starter.

i think it somewhere between the relay and the starter.