TheSamba.com :: View topic - Starter test question- with pic

Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:05 am

Hi all,

I have a 77 Beetle that was running just fine until last week. I turned the key and it made a ``cluck`` but wouldn`t start. I have a brand new battery that is a month old, all headlights work and are very bright.

I attempted to use the Muir book to perform the `screwdriver across the terminals`and received a big spark instead of whirring starter. So I figured I would take the starter out and take a closer look. It`s now out.

Muirs book said I should have three wires- the push on, the big battery connection and the hot wire. I did not have the hot wire, mine is set up like this:

How do I test this starter now that its out of the car, or, is there something else I should be checking

Thanks in advance
Ryan

Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:47 pm

Early models routed the main power via the starter but late models did not, thus only one heavy gauge wire to the starter from the battery on yours.

If the "screwdriver trick" didn't cut it with a good battery and no bad connections in the electrical system, (make sure the ground strap that goes past the front tranny mount looks good) it's probably a bad solenoid. You can't really test the starter off the car unless you mount it into another tranny - that shaft needs to be supported/centered, unless it's an Automatic starter, which is self-supported. I'd say you need at least a new solenoid. Or another starter, at this point that's up to you.
-Andy

Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:53 pm

thanks!

Here's another question then- I am going to buy a new starter, but when I took this one out there was not a bushing.

When I searched the forums, I found that there were two starter models- a Bosch SR15N (manual trans w/ bushing), or the SR17N (auto, no bushing).

So, how do I know which starter I have- the 15 or the 17? Is there any marking on it to identify it? If the 15, is the bushing still inside there somewhere?

Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:58 pm

A manual would use the 15, an autostick would use the 17. The bushing is pressed into the transmission, so it is still in there. Unless you have an autostick...

Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:58 am

No, I have a manual.

So my question is, how do I get that bushing out? I should replace the bushing with a new starter, right??

Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:53 am

The bushing - clean it up and look at it, if its not galled or something I'd just put little bit of moly wheel bearing grease and reuse it. Removing it, with the engine installed is kind of difficult if you don't have one of those puller tools.