Replacing a starter motor on a MK2

[InsightMusic]

Hey,

So I've been having an issue of late where the starter motor is spinning but it's not engaging. I've had this issue for the past 2 years but it's always started on the second turn of the key.

Yesterday the car would not start at all. The starter motor was spinning, just not engaging. After about 20 attempts, I packed it in. Later that night however, I turned the ignition once and boom, it started first time.. Quite annoying.

This morning it was the same, but it fired up after about 6 attempts and got me back home.

I've bought a new starter motor that's arriving tomorrow, so I'm going to swap the two at the weekend.

Question is, how much of a challenge is it to change a starter motor? I read online that in some cases you may need to jack the engine up to support it. Is that correct?

I've been told that it could be the solenoid which can be replaced, or just take a hammer to it, but I think a new starter should offer a lot more reliability.

If there's a thread already available, could someone please share that with me?

Thanks,
Stefan

[Craigwilson]

replacing the starter isn't a big job, yes you will need to support the engine on a jack and remove the 3 bolts (they're also the engine mount bolts), take the terminal off and slide it out.

when you put the new one in you will have to raise and lower the engine while making sure the engine mount is in the correct place and the bolts should slide right in, I usually put them almost all the way in so there is still movement in them untill I get them all started and then just torque them right up and that's it

[lemski]

As above, I get the starter bolts in and then lower onto the engine mount and put the third little bolt in.
Probally makes no difference but I think it does

[InsightMusic]

Hey guys,

Thank you so much for your help!

I'm almost there, got 2 of the 3 bolts back in. For some reason the longer of the two bottom bolts won't screw back in at all, it's not latching in to the thread.

Any idea?

Thanks,
Stefan

[lemski]

Can you see him through the mount, may be catching just before.
Little tap with the hamer and raiseing or lower the jack and should get it somewhere handy

[InsightMusic]

Thanks again for your help guys, finally got it fitted and it instantly sounds different when firing up, so clean and starting up first time, what a relief!

The only hard(ish) part of the job was getting the 3 bolts to line up together at the same time like you said. It's not a difficult job, just takes patience.

Here's a picture of the old motor I took out:

Here's inside where the starter engaged with the flywheel:

Here's the new starter fitted:

Thanks again for your help!

Stefan

[InsightMusic]

Also, I thought it would be a good idea to post the actual starter I bought in case anyone is interested in replacing theirs. I bought mine from eBay, which included free next day delivery.

I run a 1991 Mk2 Golf GL 1.8 8v, works a treat.



Thanks,
Stefan