Starter Motor Servicing

Hi all,

Is there a guide to basic servicing of a Mk1 starter motor.

I sometimes have hot start issues and want to have a go at basic servicing.

I don't have the skills to attempt a complete rebuild.

Thanks in advance

Hot Start issues,

Standard or Automatic Transmission.
The CAR stumbles on start.
Or
Does the starter sound weak, and or doesn't move.

AS for a Hot start issue with the Starter.

Do my quick Ground test.
https://www.volkswagenownersclub.com/threads/brianos-quick-grounds-test.134637/

1. Clean and check voltage drop and or Replace all
grounds Battery to Frame and Frame to Engine

2a. If Automatic, then are all the heat Shields on the Starter installed?
2.b If Automatic then install the heat soak relay.

3. If Manual Install the Heat Soak Relay, you'll be glad you did, and your Starter will spin faster, and start quicker.

https://www.cabby-info.com/files/ignition/InstallingHot-startRelay.pdf

Wow, Thanks Briano, It's a manual, and the issue is (as you've described) that sometimes the starter doesn't move  for a second, then begins to crank.

I've gotten used to it but others have said that it also sounds weak, but it's definitely not the battery.

I'm pretty sure it's not the earth or live as I've doubled up on these straight to the battery.

Thanks for the Heat soak relay PDF is that the same as a hard start relay kit as available from Heritage?

Thanks again

zod said

Wow, Thanks Briano, It's a manual, and the issue is (as you've described) that sometimes the starter doesn't move  for a second, then begins to crank.

I've gotten used to it but others have said that it also sounds weak, but it's definitely not the battery.

I'm pretty sure it's not the earth or live as I've doubled up on these straight to the battery.

Thanks for the Heat soak relay PDF is that the same as a hard start relay kit as available from Heritage?

Thanks again

looks to be, may need to extend the wires a bit.  Install it it only helps.

basically you are going to cut the itty-bity wire on the back of the starter, this is the pick wire to the relay.

From the relay you attach one wire of the switched side to the battery +.  The other side goes to the Wire you cut that is attached to the itty-bitty starter wire Then ground the other side of the pick wire.  see my link above.

You are removing 10 feet of wire going from the battery to the ignition switch and back to the starter.  You are taking the large load off the ignition switch (increased life).  You are using the ignition switch start to pick the relay, which allows 3 feet of wire to go from your Battery Positive straight to the solenoid carrying as much current to the solenoid as you can want, and the Starter says thank you has it is hit with 47 Red Bulls and spins on it's side in delight.
 
If it is still sluggish then you may want to replace the starter and bushing.  or at least clean it out and lightly grease.

Thanks again, Briano

measure the voltage across the starter solenoid when using starter motor. If it isn't zero it will indicate resistance on the solenoid contacts. In which case either the contacts need cleaning (tedious)  or you need a new solenoid

Thanks Golfy, I'll try and give that a go first. I'll have to figure out which contacts to touch

The two large contacts that have the thick wires from the battery and to the  starter motor Usually terminals with nuts on

Thanks once again Golfy