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Sat Jan 30, 2021 12:47 pm

Hi,

I am bench testing my starter before installing the tranny since it occasionally refuses to click at cold start.

When I test it with my spare battery, it spins initially then slows down and finally stops after a few seconds. After a few rounds I checked the battery and the voltage dropped from 12.6v to 12.3v and the starter does not spin any more after that.

Is the starter supposed to drain the battery so fast in just seconds? The solenoid does work and pops the gear out even if it's not spinning.

Thanks,
Michael

Sat Jan 30, 2021 12:56 pm

I'd find another test battery. With no load, I'd expect the battery to recover quickly. Also, I'm surprised the starter is not working with no load at 12.3 volts. Its the solenoid that completes the starter circuit as well as flicking the bendix gear out. Unfortunately, I think the bosch starter solenoids are factory crimped, so not so easy to remove and take apart.

So, no help. Sorry.

Sat Jan 30, 2021 1:09 pm

Thanks. Did try with another battery and some behavior :(

Michael

Sat Jan 30, 2021 1:13 pm

That does not sound correct. The starter should work 100 times. Since it's been intermittent, I wouldn't waste any more time on it at this point.

Go to Westy Ventures and buy his TDI starter adapter and harness. Then get a TDI starter and never look back.

Sat Jan 30, 2021 2:53 pm

^^^^^ i'll second that motion.

just went out to start the 87 and take it for a spin as i haven't ran it for a couple months. such a joy to hear that confident cranking sound, even with a battery that wasn't topped up.

Sat Jan 30, 2021 2:57 pm

MarkWard wrote: Go to Westy Ventures and buy his TDI starter adapter and harness. Then get a TDI starter and never look back.
That's what I did when my starter died. I found a used starter at a used parts reseller. The totoal of the TDI adapter plus the 2nd hand starter was less than a new stock starter. On top of that my starter cranks faster, and if it fails, i can just get another used one for cheap.

Sat Jan 30, 2021 3:25 pm

Unless it is a fried armature or windings....... I fix mine.

Likely culprit, brushes.

Dave

Sat Jan 30, 2021 4:48 pm

Just came back and all 3 part stores I visited said their machine told them vanagon starter needs to be tested in the car. Just to be sure my test is valid, I connect the jumper cable + to starter B+ terminal and groud to starter mount edge. Then I bridge B+ terminal and the solenoid spade with remote starter cable.

@djkeev, how do you open the starter? I am thinking to keep my old starter and play around it just for fun.

Thanks,
Michael

Sat Jan 30, 2021 5:13 pm

Parts schematic of generic starter, just start pulling bolts and screws .....

Dave

Sat Jan 30, 2021 5:23 pm

the old OEM starters are eminently rebuildable. that is their strength. i've got 2 good cores to maybe rebuild. but once you experience the TDI upgrade, you don't want anything else. just the SOUND alone is so intoxicating.

as i've said before, i'm a cheap SOB and do the deep dive to rebuild things. the TDI starter upgrade wins.

in short, it is R-R-R-R-R-R vs R..r.R..R.r.R..r or something or other!

Sat Jan 30, 2021 5:26 pm

Quick question for the TDI starter. Looks like its B+ terminal is shorter than the original one. Will I able to fit the original alternator and battery cables on it? I know I have to change the ignition switch wire connector and I hope that's the only change.

Thanks,
Michael

Sat Jan 30, 2021 7:12 pm

no that large terminal on the alternator harness needs to go but this is a good time to upgrade the alternator wiring to help get more amperage from the alternator to the battery.

Sat Jan 30, 2021 7:54 pm

It's like a never ending quest 8) . At first I just want to replace that leaky rear main seal. Then added flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, pilot bearing, throw out bearing and input main seal. During the process I found my CV boots, various shift rod boots and bushing are shut. Just this morning I found my starter is bad and now adding alternator wiring upgrade to the queue.

Consider it served me well during our last death valley trip I'll go ahead and do them all :lol:

Thanks,
Michael

Sat Jan 30, 2021 8:03 pm

On some starters ( not sure which??) I think the armature rubs on the magnets if theres no bushing supporting the end.
Can you do a valid starter test if the armature is rubbing?

And this....
A built-in “starter failure point” on a 30-40 year-old Vanagon.

Sat Jan 30, 2021 8:24 pm

Good point. Let me bolt it on the tranny and test tonight!

Sat Jan 30, 2021 9:17 pm

It spins strongly when bolted on the tranny! Thank you so much for the pointer.
I feel like an idiot by not researching more before testing. I hope I did not damage the starter with the improper test :(.

Thanks,
Michael