think i need a new starter motor? wheres best place to buy from?

[julie]

Hi think i need a new starter motor as my mk2 16v gti sounds very slow turning over and today it would not turn over at all? wondering where is best to buy one from as was reading another post about someone buying from gsf and the starter only had 1 spade unstead of 2?
thanks juliet

[DarnPB]

I would check other things first before condeming the starter. Check the battery has enough juice in it and that it is not knackered. Then check the earth points in the engine bay. Any high resistance will decrease voltage.
There is a bearing in the bell housing that the spigot end of the starter motor fits into. If that bearing is worn, damaged or missing, then that will also give the same symptoms of a discharged battery or faulty starter motor.
If all that fails, then the local breakers yard will be the best and cheapest option, or you could get your starter repaired.

[julie]

ok thanks the battery was put on it at the start of the year plus its a heavy duty one!

[jamrock]

i will try take a picture of one i have here. it was brought in error so you can have it CHEAP!!! or even better if your able to take a picture of yours i can compare it to mine.

[dadrathers]

Even though your battery is new-ish, it could be flat if you only use the car on short journeys so I am with DarnPB - check that out first. Also DarnPB mentioned the spigot - make sure you replace it if you replace the motor.

I did mine recently (1991 8v PB engine) and on recommendation invested in some stud removers to get the old spigot out - scarey but worked a treat. Got the motor from GSF - exchange unit. Made sure I compared everything with the new one. Invested in the Bosch unit £92 with the exchange.

Good luck.

[julie]

also thought i would add that the problem got worse (not starting) now its getting colder. resets the digital clock when you go to start it.

[julie]

like i said it has been quite slow at turning over never seems to start straight away and suddenly today after work went to start it it went to turn over but didnt manage it so i tried again and it wouldnt start just reset the clock?
where do you get new spigot from?

[dadrathers]

My exchange unit came with a new one but just in case I also ordered one from VW - for my car it was 113 301 155 about £2

[julie]

is it the same as a starter motor bush? thats all i could see on gsf

[danj3000]

If the digital clock is resetting then that is almost certainly going to be down to lack of power, which would not have anything to do with the starter motor and everything to do with the battery!! I had similar issues with mine 6 months or so ago and it was exacerbated in the cold weather, brand new battery and the job was a good'un.