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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Khare on 05 October 2010, 22:02

Title: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 05 October 2010, 22:02
Hey guys, just wondering if there's any way of refurbing the starter motor as mine is about to die. Is there anything I can change if I open it up and take it apart?
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Rmachines on 05 October 2010, 22:07
I have refurbed many in my time,  then i tried my golf one and bits flew out allover the floor and it went in the bin...  Good luck  :smug:


Seriously though,  to be honest unless you know how to do motor re-windings its not worth it,  the coils tend to deteriorate with heat,  new brushes etc.. probably wont be the issue.  Is it getting weak and struggling?  If so, and if its worse when the engine bay temps are high,  its probably going to be easier to slap a new one on  :smiley:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Bellend on 05 October 2010, 22:46
Got a new one for £33 for an 8V engine.

I know its still money for students but not a bad price.
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Ben Lessani on 05 October 2010, 22:52
No harm in trying a refurb. It does ping apart when you dismantle it - so just take it easy. I'd be inclined to check the bushes (11mm minimum IIRC) and the bell housing bush, then clean up the armature, perhaps re-solder a 4awg replacement braided wire (if it is in bad condition) to the solenoid.

Could spend a couple of hours cleaning it up and about £10 on parts. If it doesn't work, at least you learnt a little - if it does work, you'll have an awesome sense of satisfaction!
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Deano2711 on 05 October 2010, 22:53
Got a new one for £33 for an 8V engine.

I know its still money for students but not a bad price.

Are the 8v and 16v starters the same ??  If they are then I have the one off the 8v I'm breaking you can have cheap Khare. Let me know. By the way was the coil ok for yours Mate??     Cheers
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Bellend on 05 October 2010, 23:13
Got a new one for £33 for an 8V engine.

I know its still money for students but not a bad price.

Are the 8v and 16v starters the same ??  If they are then I have the one off the 8v I'm breaking you can have cheap Khare. Let me know. By the way was the coil ok for yours Mate??     Cheers

I'm not too sure.

I think they are, yeah but don't hold me to that.
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 02:02
Yeah its struggling to crank over, I'm pretty convinced its the starter motor as opposed to the battery, and especially since It's gone flat, you turn the key and you get half a crank, then stops for about 2 seconds then slowly comes back to life again. Before the flat battery it would be 6 out of 10 times, since getting it going its been every time. New battery on thursday though so that will confirm if its the starter or not. Pretty sure 8v and 16v starters are the same but ill find out when I get home and check etka and let you know Dean. Coil worked perfectly dude, couldn't have asked for a better deal or got it sooner!  :cool:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Wayne on 06 October 2010, 08:00
Sounds more like a voltage drop to be honest or poor earth.
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 09:51
Sounds more like a voltage drop to be honest or poor earth.
Yeah I did think that, so I cleaned all the earths a few months ago but it didn't help. However why would suddenly the earths not do their job just because of the flat battery? I think the flat battery has caused it to fail even more.
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Wayne on 06 October 2010, 09:54
Sounds more like a voltage drop to be honest or poor earth.
Yeah I did think that, so I cleaned all the earths a few months ago but it didn't help. However why would suddenly the earths not do their job just because of the flat battery? I think the flat battery has caused it to fail even more.

Not sure but it would be worth rechecking the earths plus all the wiring to the starter 1st.
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 09:58
wayne, there's 12v reaching the starter and it grounds out well.
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Dubbyboy on 06 October 2010, 10:44
I'm 99% sure from reading starter motor related posts on here that the 8v and 16v starters are different, the gear that engages with the flywheel has a different number of teeth.  Don't take my response as gospel just type starter motor in the search function and you will find heaps of similar posts.
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 11:01
Checked an old thread, and got a quote from Wayne to Spady.

Just checked vagcat and they list 2 a 1.1kw and a 1.8kw.

I would think the bigger one is the one you need.

The 8v and 16v starters look the same, however if the internals are different I have no idea.
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 11:04
Ah found this  :sad:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=135614.0 (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=135614.0)


Gonna have to look for 16v's then!
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Deano2711 on 06 October 2010, 11:06
I have two 8v Starters....that makes a 16v right  :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Dubbyboy on 06 October 2010, 11:10
Got a new one for £33 for an 8V engine.

I know its still money for students but not a bad price.

Where did you get a new one for that price?, I'd like to know as my solenoid is sticking badly and at that price I'd jump at one.
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 11:12
I have two 8v Starters....that makes a 16v right  :grin: :grin:
:grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:

Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Wayne on 06 October 2010, 11:13
wayne, there's 12v reaching the starter and it grounds out well.

Very strange  :undecided:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 11:16
wayne, there's 12v reaching the starter and it grounds out well.

Very strange  :undecided:

I just think the starter's had it to be honest, a working one will confirm it though. However, finding that replacement is going to be a tad difficult...And maybe expensive.
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Deano2711 on 06 October 2010, 11:19
How about this Buddy

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Starter-Motor-VOLKSWAGEN-Golf-III-2-0-16V-92-97-/250635693457?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a5b0d2d91#ht_2424wt_654
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 11:22
How about this Buddy

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Starter-Motor-VOLKSWAGEN-Golf-III-2-0-16V-92-97-/250635693457?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a5b0d2d91#ht_2424wt_654

On the expensive side dude. I'm looking at spending an absolute max of £40 as I've just had to buy a new battery and few other bits, so funds won't allow £60.

Oh and I'm not bothered if it's new or S/H, as long as it works then it'll do me.
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Deano2711 on 06 October 2010, 11:22
Or this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-GOLF-GTI-16V-BREAKING-SPARES-/330472357175?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4cf1affd37#ht_533wt_879

Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 11:23
Or this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-GOLF-GTI-16V-BREAKING-SPARES-/330472357175?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4cf1affd37#ht_533wt_879


(http://i26.tinypic.com/29zonzt.jpg)

Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Deano2711 on 06 October 2010, 11:25
I really need to get some work done  :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 11:27
I popped him the question  :cool:

I hope it's a yes!  :grin: :grin:


Thanks for the heads up Deano :afro:

Now get some work done  :tongue:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Deano2711 on 06 October 2010, 11:30
I popped him the question  :cool:

Hope he says I do


I hope it's a yes!  :grin: :grin:


Thanks for the heads up Deano :afro:

No worries Mate....glad to help when I can
Now get some work done  :tongue:

While the boss is out the forum takes a hammering....when he gets back later though I still have the same work on my desk  :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Wayne on 06 October 2010, 11:35


While the boss is out the forum takes a hammering....when he gets back later though I still have the same work on my desk  :grin: :grin:


Funny that, I know just what you mean.  :laugh:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Deano2711 on 06 October 2010, 11:42
You have to prioritise Mate....work - forum....forum - work.....hhmmmmmm  :grin: :grin:

On the plus side I have just managed to make a brew in between posts  :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 15:19
Deano, thanks for the ebay link to the 16v being broken. Contacted seller and game me a reasonable £30 price so I'm going ahead with it :afro:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Bellend on 06 October 2010, 19:01
Good luck.

Sounds EXACTLY the same as a problem I had a while ago, failing starter f**ked the earths. Changed the starter and needed a freshly charged battery and a set of starter wires.

For £4 from Halfords (only place I could get them) got two (one red and one black) thick cables. One to the positive and one to a starter bolt thanks to rubjonny's advice.

Starts like a b!tch now.  :evil:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Deano2711 on 06 October 2010, 20:05
Deano, thanks for the ebay link to the 16v being broken. Contacted seller and game me a reasonable £30 price so I'm going ahead with it :afro:

Glad you got sorted Mate....no doubt you will help me in the future....that's why I love this forum  :wink:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 20:33
Starter motor is now officially fcuked. Won't turn over. Turn the key and I get about half a crank followed by some strange sounds as if a tap was leaking and crackling, headlights dim so 12v is getting there but the coil inside is just destroyed I imagine. New starter is needed ASAP! Hopefully ebay fella will send it soon.
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 20:33
Deano, thanks for the ebay link to the 16v being broken. Contacted seller and game me a reasonable £30 price so I'm going ahead with it :afro:

Glad you got sorted Mate....no doubt you will help me in the future....that's why I love this forum  :wink:

And of course mate, where I can help I will do  :smiley:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 22:25
New starter should be here Friday, battery tomorrow. So hopefully by this weekend car is running well again!
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Ben Lessani on 06 October 2010, 22:34
New starter should be here Friday, battery tomorrow. So hopefully by this weekend car is running well again!

Jinx yourself much!
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 22:41
New starter should be here Friday, battery tomorrow. So hopefully by this weekend car is running well again!

Jinx yourself much!
:grin: :grin: :grin: We will see, I hope not cos any more bad luck and I think I'll go dig a hole and live in it. Bad things come in three though, first bad coil then bad battery then starter motor. Although I received news today that my auntie has breast cancer for a second time...Not good.
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Bellend on 06 October 2010, 22:48
New starter should be here Friday, battery tomorrow. So hopefully by this weekend car is running well again!

Jinx yourself much!
:grin: :grin: :grin: We will see, I hope not cos any more bad luck and I think I'll go dig a hole and live in it. Bad things come in three though, first bad coil then bad battery then starter motor. Although I received news today that my auntie has breast cancer for a second time...Not good.

 :cry:

Sorry to hear that mate. My mums got it at the moment, know what it's like.
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 06 October 2010, 22:50
Yeah it's a painful experience watching someone you love suffer mate, stick by her and give her support as she will need it. At the end of the day any of us could go at any moment, do we really want to leave with regrets and emptiness?
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Deano2711 on 07 October 2010, 12:17
My sympathies and best wishes to you both. I watched my Mom suffer from Leaukemia when I was a kid. She lasted two years and died when I was 10 then when I was 20 I was with my Dad as he died at the hands of Thrombosis. Neither was a pleasant experience so I know what you're going through Chaps. Keep your chins up  :wink:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 07 October 2010, 14:15
Wow Deano really sorry to hear about that, it must have been horrific  :sad: I've not lost anyone close to me since I was about 5, my granddad died of a brain tumour but at the age of 5 you don't really take in what's happening and you don't realize the consequences. For now most of the older members of my family are relatively healthy but showing signs of worse to come. My other granddad is has arthritis, my granddma's spine looks like a dyno charge from the curve in it, resulting in huge pain and sometimes can't walk, yet she still goes gym everyday of the week and walks about 3 miles every morning  :shocked: My other granddma however, well, she's rich, she's around 70, and she goes to my uncle's nightclubs on a weekly basis with all her "rich&young" friends  :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Deano2711 on 07 October 2010, 20:38
Fair play to your family Mate....enjoy life to the full. I live day to day and enjoy the Missus and the Kids as much as possible. Enjoy your family too Mate....now lets get back to a happy thread like getting your motor back on the road  :cool:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 07 October 2010, 20:42
:afro:

In other news, once the new starter is in and the car is back in service I'm on a mission to dismantle the old starter, and bring it back to life. Get it all painted up and looking groovy when I'm confident it will work well and then put it aside for when myself or someone needs a working one  :smiley:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Deano2711 on 07 October 2010, 20:47
Fair play Mate....do you want to practice on mine ??  :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 07 October 2010, 21:01
I can't promise it would go back to you the same though  :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Bellend on 07 October 2010, 22:52
Fair play, good to learn I guess.
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Dubbyboy on 11 October 2010, 09:37
Peeps, I was lucky enough to find a starter at the one of the scrappies end of last week, fitted on Sat morning and now I realise how shot mine was.
Totally different car (well starting anyway).
If you really do want to strip it down and refurb yourself as a spare then crack on I say, best way to learn is have a go yourself.
However £20 from a scrappy??. I know what I'd do. :smug:
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Ben Lessani on 11 October 2010, 10:12
Peeps, I was lucky enough to find a starter at the one of the scrappies end of last week, fitted on Sat morning and now I realise how shot mine was.
Totally different car (well starting anyway).
If you really do want to strip it down and refurb yourself as a spare then crack on I say, best way to learn is have a go yourself.
However £20 from a scrappy??. I know what I'd do. :smug:

Got mine re-furbed for £45 IIRC
Title: Re: refurbing starter motor
Post by: Khare on 11 October 2010, 12:09
It does feel like a new car starting doesn't it? It's so good!

I still haven't opened mine, but when I do I'll assess damage/wear and rebuild or throw away, depending on condition.