Weird starting issue UPDATE

[Gypsie]

Mhmmm...."planned obsolescence" is part of the new business model...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence


Fargin' Iceholes....

[hambone]

Some of this (stuff) is DAMN DIFFICULT TO KEEP REPLACING!!!! geesh

[Amskeptic]

Mhmmm...."planned obsolescence" is part of the new business model...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence

There was a time when I respected Volkswagen . . .
"By the late 1950s, planned obsolescence had become a commonly-used term for products designed to break easily or to quickly go out of style. In fact, the concept was so widely recognized that in 1959 Volkswagen mocked it in a now-legendary advertising campaign. While acknowledging the widespread use of planned obsolescence among automobile manufacturers, Volkswagen pitched itself as an alternative. 'We do not believe in planned obsolescence,' the ads suggested. 'We don't change a car for the sake of change.'"

[deschutestrout]

Appears to have been a ground issue. During the RendezVW I had some down time and crawled under and shined up the ground underneath and the ground strap connection in the engine compartment. Haven't had an issue since. Crossing my fingers

[cegammel]

So, I have a similar but opposite problem. New rebuilt Bosch starter (from RockAuto), installed and used about 4 times now. Installed new bushing as well. My flywheel has definitely seen better days, and has some chipped teeth, but none missing or broken more than 1/16" or so.

Here's the problem: Turn the key, the starter makes a terrible grinding noise. Stop Turning key. Turn key second time, starter sounds great, van fires up beautifully.

This happens pretty much each time (of the 4 or 5 times I've tried it). First time, starter grinds, second time, fires off perfectly.

This is the third starter I've tried on her this weekend... The first two (used) were total junk. I put this starter on, the grinding thing happened, so I decided to go ahead, pull the transmission (and replace it), replace the clutch, and get a good look at that flywheel. Everything looks good...but the starter still grinds.

[hambone]

I too have had issues with Bosch rebuilt starters...going thru 4 before 1 worked...it doesn't appear they can be trusted...
It sounds like your solenoid isn't engaging/disengaging properly and hanging up on the flywheel teeth.

[cegammel]

Will it destroy my flywheel to keep using it?

[cegammel]

Is there any way to 'adjust' the starter? Is it possible that it is somehow angled incorrectly? I've read that some American vehicles require shimming to get the starter to engage properly...

[hambone]

No shimming, just bolts in.

[cegammel]

Do you think it will damage the flywheel?

[hambone]

IF that is indeed occurring it can damage the flywheel teeth, chew them 1/2 off.

[cegammel]

As it turns out, i am wrong on many counts...the starter is a remy, not bosch, and the engine is turning, just slowly on the first turn, and quickly on the second. I need to test further, but it seems the voltage going into the solenoid is inconsistent. Is that possible? Any thoughts as to possible causes? Faulty ignition?

[Xelmon]

If it's the original harness, check the wires between too. I had perfect looking wires that somehow had a magical 6V drop in a matter of 4 feet.

[cegammel]

Is it possible that an underperforming fuel pump would drain enough juice to cause an issue?

[Amskeptic]

As it turns out, i am wrong on many counts...the starter is a remy, not bosch, and the engine is turning, just slowly on the first turn, and quickly on the second. I need to test further, but it seems the voltage going into the solenoid is inconsistent. Is that possible? Any thoughts as to possible causes? Faulty ignition?

I just had a starter that would not engage the flywheel fully (nasty stripping sound/intermittent no-rotate) because the solenoid was not securely attached to the starter frame. This prevents the pinion from engaging fully.
Colin