9a Conversion: Starter motor

Hi,  Sorry if I've created this thread in the wrong place.

I've recently bought a modified Mk1 Golf with a 9a 16v conversion.

It can be a little reluctant to start, and I've been told that the starter motor is drawing more current than it uses and that this could lead to ECU issues.

Has anyone had experience of this issue or is the wool being pulled over my eyes?!

Also, what starter motor should I be looking out for: a standard Mk1 Golf Gti one?  Or one specific to the 9a engine?  If specific to the 9a, what donor car could the engine have come from.  : :dontknow:

You may have spotted from this post that I'm new to all this, and feeling a little out of my depth!  ops:   All help much appreciated.  (I tried a forum search but couldn't find the answer.  Sorry if this is a re-post of a previously asked question).

Match the starter to the gearbox you're using.

For example, if you have an 020 'box (eg the original with the Mk1) then use the 1800GTI (or for upgrade, a 2l 8V GTI, or diesel) starter. If you're using the 02A box which would have been originally attached to the 9A, then use its starter. You'd be looking for a Passat 93-96 2.0 16V GT, or Corrado 2.0 16V starter motor (since these cars had the 9A engine in them).

Obviously its also worth checking other things which could make starting difficult - is the ignition too far advanced? Are the starter motor's wires, including the earth strap and battery terminals, securely connected and in good condition?

Thanks for that info.
When you mention the starter motor from 2.0 8v - is that the Mk3 golf gti engine you're referring to?

Further info on the starting issue - it seems more reluctant to start when engine is warm, cold starts seem easier.  Does this additional info. rule out any of the things you've previously advised I should look at… or point to it being something other than the starter motor?

Snooky said

Thanks for that info.
When you mention the starter motor from 2.0 8v - is that the Mk3 golf gti engine you're referring to?

Basically, yes, although its just something I was told (by Awesome GTI), my car uses a good quality new starter for a 1.8 GTI and seems to be okay.

Snooky said

Further info on the starting issue - it seems more reluctant to start when engine is warm, cold starts seem easier.  Does this additional info. rule out any of the things you've previously advised I should look at… or point to it being something other than the starter motor?

More difficult starting when warm, is probably due to overadvanced timing, but it could be an electrical poor connection too. You could unplug the ignition and see if the engine then spins quicker, this would tell you if its ignition-related or not. Is your ignition using the KE-Jet ECU or an ECU from a Golf 16V Mk2?