Strange trouble starting car...

carolinus · 12-20-2002, 04:49 PM

I have been having some strange troubles starting my 944. Sometimes it will start perfectly strong, and sometimes it will turn over once and just stop.

It will do this turning over and stopping thing about 4-5 times, and then it will start. And it will start just fine after that.

The car will always jump start.

I had the battery load tested, and it came up fine.

I have cleaned both terminals and connectors, taken apart the positive harness and cleaned it, and I have cleaned the chassis ground on the other side of the negative cable.

My next step is going to be taking out the starter, cleaning all of the contacts that I can find, and trying to clean out the starter.

I am familiar with how electric motors work, but am wondering how disassembleable the Bosch starter is. Is it easy to do?

Any tips on where I should concentrate my efforts?

Thanks in advance!

JonA · 12-20-2002, 05:22 PM

Check your ignition timing. If the engine is firnig too early it will work against the torque of the starter motor. My 924 had a worn and shorting wire in the distributor causing intermittent advance. Nearly went crazy trying to find it and wasted money on a new starter before I did.

Jon Aborn

carolinus · 12-20-2002, 06:41 PM

I give an official "Huh?" You can't set or adjust timing on a 944, can you? The rotor is spun by the camshaft, and the distributor cap is on top of that. Hmm....Will keep it in mind, though.
More info would be good.

Cebu · 12-21-2002, 04:15 AM

I concur with the diagnosis of a faulty starter.

carolinus · 12-21-2002, 05:09 AM

This thing has been such an adventure, I am thinking about starting a website to try and help other people deal with some of my problems. Like, in this case, give them some pics of what I am doing, and see if it helps. Anyone got a suggestion on a good free web hosting joint, or wish to donate some space?

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Some of the "other" 944 sites see maybe 4 hits per week.

This site is just fine.

JonA,

That's the trouble with the 924 as it is a different engine and fueling and ignition system that the 944 et al.

But being an old VW mechanic to start I know exactly what you mean.

carolinus · 12-21-2002, 11:14 AM

Figured it out, and it was strange indeed. The starter had been hit with a rock on the bottom hard enough to break one of the case bolts (6" Long M6 bolt) right out of the starter. This caused it to torque enough to lose some of the brush contact sometimes. You can see it when you take it apart. Easy fix: get another bolt and hope it works. Anyone know of a good source for a 6" M6 1.00 thread bolt? Anyone have one laying around?