Starter Questions

[ckissick]

Lately, when starting my '50, the starter tends to click and get stuck several times before finally turning over. So I removed it. Until recently, the car had been in heated, dry storage for 50 years and has been untouched. It's probably the original starter, never worked on.

Here's a picture of it.

Based on the photo, is it original? I would like to keep the original starter. Is there anyone who rebuilds them? If not, where's the best place to get an authentic replacement?
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Charlie
1950 Beetle
1983 Westfalia
1989 syncro Tristar
1966 Porsche 912
1989 Beck Spyder
2007 GTI Fahrenheit

[splitjunkie]

Looks like the correct style. If you take the end cap off you should only have 2 brushes.

Your description of the symptoms is kind of vague but you should check the condition of the bushing in the bell housing for wear. Replace if it is worn and put a little grease in there. Also make sure the starter spins OK. It has no support on the gear end when out of the car but it should turn OK if you hang it gear side down. You can access the brush end bushing when you take the cover off.

The field winding are wrapped in a paper insulation and over the years moisture will get into the insulation and cause rust on the case of the starter that will start to migrate into the paper and slowly cause it to short to the case.
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Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

[ckissick]

It has 2 brushes. How do I know when they should be replaced, and where do I get them? None of the usual places list them.
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Charlie
1950 Beetle
1983 Westfalia
1989 syncro Tristar
1966 Porsche 912
1989 Beck Spyder
2007 GTI Fahrenheit

[nlorntson]

Take it to your local auto electric shop. They should be able to bench test it and do any repairs as necessary.

As Chris said though check the starter busing in the transmission bell and replace or grease as necessary. Also of course check all your electrical connections including the transmission ground strap to be sure they have good, clean connections.

[virtanen]

Did you check the date code? 1950 it should be 1F...12F
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Mika
Split beetle restoration panels
Oval beetle restoration panels
New projects

[ckissick]

It says 7F. And the car was built in July, so it fits. Thanks for the info.
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Charlie
1950 Beetle
1983 Westfalia
1989 syncro Tristar
1966 Porsche 912
1989 Beck Spyder
2007 GTI Fahrenheit

[busdaddy]

[ckissick]

I can't find anyone who rebuilds them. Everyone just replaces them, apparently. But since I have the original starter and the rest of the car is original, I'm not replacing it. Anyone know of a place? In the SF Bay Area would be best.
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Charlie
1950 Beetle
1983 Westfalia
1989 syncro Tristar
1966 Porsche 912
1989 Beck Spyder
2007 GTI Fahrenheit

[usariemen]

I don´t know about your own skills but the internals are not crazy science.
Some simple mechanics and electrics.
So taking it apart and check for faults you could try to do on your own.
But it would help if you have an idea how everything is meant to be working and go just as far as you are sure you can reassemble it.
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Master of my domain!

[BulliBill]

Yes, Rick Clark ("RickC" here on theSamba) in Monterrey, CA has ads in the classifieds for fully torn down and fully rebuilt Bosch date-coded starters, generators, voltage regulators, etc.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=RickC

He has a former Bosch tech working for him. They can also put modern innards in early "D', "round" and square voltage regulator housings to make them very reliable again. Not cheap, but for the person who wants the very best and reliable rebuilt components, he's the man.

Have you ever seen any of his vehicle restorations? Simply incredible skills!

Bill
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I'm looking for these license plate frames for my fleet:
Coeur D'Alene - Lake Shore Volkswagen
Mission VW - San Fernando
Thornton VW - Stockton

Thanks for any help!