Starter problem

[bob hodges]

My 14pin connector has been put to bed as OK. I am still having the start problem. When I turn the key to start, all I get is a click sound and the alt. needle goes off scale high. I just installed the engine. I have checked and double checked the starter connections, replaced the battery, and now I am out of checks. Could this be a ground strap problem? I need the magic ferry to sprinkle ferry dust on this one.



Bob 80SC

[Siena911]

this happened to my beetle way back... It ended up being a problem with the commutator or brushes of the startermotor, cant remember what it was, What condition is your starter motor in, is it new?

sorry but I have not spotted any previous messages relating to this, but I will go and search now.

Here is a clipped piece of an article explaining how it works.. sorry if you know all this info already, however on my beetle the solenoid was clicking but I was getting no turn out of the motor

Hope this helps
Jakes

<< Clip start

Prior to engine rotation initiated by the starter motor, the electric current wired in from the battery is poured into the starter motor by the second terminal of the solenoid. This current is absorbed by the field coil and the carbon brushes. The field coil is a cladding of the inner wall of the starter motor. Permanent magnet strips are used in the construction of the field coil. A rotating component known as the armature, in form of copper windings is placed so that it is encompassed by the field coil. One end of the armature is inserted in a circular metal carbon-brush plate so that the metal portion of the armature made of copper, known as commutator, rubs against the carbon brushes hinged on the base plate and current from the solenoid is conducted to its copper windings after passing through the current conducting commutator. The tip of the armature is fitted into a circular recess in the body of the starter motor. The cavity holds a circular bush in which the tip is held tight enabling it to rotate freely without eccentricity. The other end of the armature is a protruding shaft that continues to the bendix drive. A bendix drive is a type of a pinion gear. The bendix (pinion) gear is the component which engages the teeth on the engine flywheel ring. The shaft on which the bendix drive is installed hosts splines or teeth on which the bendix moves back and forth. The movement of the bendix is facilitated by a lever whose to and fro movement is controlled by the solenoid. The armature starts rotating soon as a magnetic field is induced within the starter motor assembly due to the surge of current from the solenoid in the field coil.

Clip end >>

[bob hodges]

I have got to have more than a starter problem...Iam more concern with the alt needle going off scale high when I turn the switch to start. That tells me that there is a short to ground somewhere.

[Siena911]

There does seem to be a short to ground, however that short could be if the brush has completely disintegrated and the short will occur against the commutator,

I had a fresh air blower motor where the brushes wore down completely and eventually the wire that was connected to the brush just collapsed onto the commutator and then there was a puff of "Magic Smoke" that came out of it.

So my guess is still with the starter

hope this helps
Regards Jakes

[bob hodges]

I don't want to put out the money for a starter.....I wish I had a starter sitting on the bench just to test..perhaps it might be good to take the starter to the shop and have it tested.


Bob 80SC

[Siena911]

I would definitely take the starter out and give it a visual, should not take too long. Just remember to disconnect the earth from the battery First (ask me I know, its not easy to jump up when there is a ton of car above you and sparks flying around your ears )

you should be able to see brushes and their state etc

Cheers Jakes

[bob hodges]

my problems are solved.....missing cable hookup from batt.