Intermittent starting

[DK914]

A good thing the paddock for the San Diego autocross is on the side of a hill, as I had to bump-start my car ('74 2.0) a couple of times when the starter failed to spin the engine. I can hear the solenoid click, but then nothing. The I'll try it later and it'll work fine, spinning the engine over quickly. The problem doesn't seem to be heat related, and the charging system is in good condition, the battery has plenty of juice and I just cleaned the battery posts for good measure.
Should I replace the starter, or should I try another course of action? I've heard of a Bosch starter relay kit that might help here. Does anyone have any experience with that? Thanks in advance.

[Rouser]

I suspect you DO have a solenoid hot start problem.

With all things being equal (correct size battery, good cabling to starter, and good grounds), the solenoid gets very hot and requires direct voltage/more current to engage the starter motor. A relay kit (basically a 30A fog lamp relay and harness) wired in-line providing a direct battery source/connection solves the weak Bosch solenoid dilemma.

I had to perform this bit of relay wizardry to my son's '86 Jetta after replacing what I thought was a bad starter. Heck, just imagine; they even come rebuilt (from Bosch) with weak solenoids. And no, my '73 914 2.0L STILL starts fine without the modification. Go figure …

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Check this article. It will explain almost everything there is to know about the starting system.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_starter_diag/mult_starter_diag.htm

--DD

[Conrad W Peden]

Or check the tranny ground strap.
That can do it.

------------------
CWP/VIR
72 914 L20E in rusto.
73 914 L20E 2.0L in resto.

[greenwood]

I agree with rouser.
I had the same problem not too long ago until I installed the relay kit. The battery was giving plenty of juice and all connections were clean. I was afraid to drive my car cause I didn't know where I'll get stranded. But no more worries thanks to the relay kit.
it's alomost always a good idea to start with the least expensive solution and work your way up. $26(relay) VS $126(starter)


[This message has been edited by greenwood (edited 11-22-2000).]

[John Rogers]

I went to a little larger cable (3 gauge) than stock and that may help a little. Do you have a kill switch in the circuit? They seem to last a year or two and may be going bad. If the starter is going bad, you might want to try an IMI starter, it is one of the geared super starters and it is the only thing that would crank over my 2.8l engine. They are about $190 at ORW and are a local So Cal company.

[campbellcj]

When my car got an 'intermittent' hot start problem, the starter completely died (at a recent SD autocross!) a few days later. It's typically the solenoid that dies, but it is usually easier just to replace the whole unit. I put in a rebuilt OE unit and zero problems since, it cranks up in a few revolutions every time.

Chris C.

[Ed Atkinson]

See my post under "Ignition Delay/ Dead"

[DK914]

Thanks, everbody. I downloaded the starter diagnostic piece, and ended up replacing the starter cables and battery terminals, and doing a general clean-up of all the connections. Worked like a charm! But it is good to know these cars can be bump-started at about 3 mph!