Bad starter?

[mejulihn]

In the last few months I have experienced a "no start" scenario twice after driving my '76 914 for some distance. It occurs when the car is warm from the drive. I get the sound of the fuel pump cycling and a click, but no starter. My guess is the starter may be going bad. A previous owner has already installed an after market relay right next to the starter. After a half hour os so the car starts fine again.

[halbl]

Check all your connections first. Ground strap, battery wire and connection to brain. Sounds like the starter. Park on hills until you find the culprit. I had a similar problem and finally got a new starter. This was a problem with the 2.0 and smaller VW type starters. The addition you see is probably a modification to get more power to the starter. If so, it is a 20 + year old starter. Tip, you can save money by getting a late model, type IV, VW bus starter rather than "order" one for a P O R $ C H E.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Check Jim Thorusen's marvelous article on troubleshooting the starter system. You can go to the main Pelican page and click on through to "tech articles" in the 914 section, or you can go directly to the article.

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

--DD

[This message has been edited by Dave_Darling (edited 04-05-99).]

[mejulihn]

Thanks for the great ideas! I will try some trouble shooting next weekend. Since this problem only occurs when the engine is warm, can the heat in the engine compartment have a negative effect on electrical conductivity thru the wires and connections?

[Conrad W Peden]

Another thing that might be wrong is the solenoid.
The starter itself is very tough but when the solenoid has gone through alot of heat cycles(getting hot and cold) from being right above the exhaust it can get stuck. Next time you have the no start problem try tapping the solenoid with the plastic end of a large screwdriver. Take care not to hit the end where the wires attach. This end is not metal and can break.

If tapping the solenoid works it may be the problem. Replaceing the solenoid can be done but its tough and may cost as much as a new starter with the labour involved. You may want to check with an automotive electrical speciality shop if there is any thing like that in your town.

The other problem may be the wires. The most neglected wire on a 914 (I feel) is the ground strap at the transmission. It may be the source of your woes. Re+re the wires cleaning the contact areas it may help.



[This message has been edited by Conrad W Peden (edited 04-15-99).]

[ChrisG]

This brings back memories of five VW nuts pushing a friends Beetle around a Motorway Service station after the exact same problem happened. To compound that problem the regulator box on my beetle had blown out and flattened the battery - hence the second Bug there had to be pushed around too.
What happened to the third is another matter.

Needless to it was probably the most amusing site your average driver had seen.
We all got "I would rather be pushing my VW than driving anything else" Tee-shirts when we finally got down to the show.

However back to the point. The problem is caused by excessive heat and a Solenoid which has a tendacy to stick.
Heat is transferred through the engines case, into the starter and then to the solenoid.It then expands slightly and sticks.

On the Beetle, replacing the straps to the battery and putting in a air scoop under the chassis solved the problem.
However in 99% of cases a stronger voltage will fix the problem without the need for a scoop.
Just do what Brian said and it should solve your problems

[mejulihn]

Thanks for all of your advice. Last night I replaced the primary wires and cleaned all terminals and put in new connectors. Everything looks new and shiny (except the starter, of course). The battery terminals were pretty ugly looking so I hope that the problem is solved for now.