no start issue in 79 bus, starter whirrs with 12v - dead?

[airkooledchris]

on a long drive yesterday when I went to start up the bus again it wouldn't even try.

I whacked the solenoid, installed a hot start relay I had around, but in the end I had to pop start it.

The grounds are clean and well tightened (thanks in part to a visit from Colin last year), the ignition switch is sending a signal to the solenoid, but the starter does nothing.

In the end I bypassed the starter and just bridged the two large posts on the coil to see what would happen - and while the starter makes a noise, im fairly certain this means it's dead.

The starter doesn't make any different of a sound when you do this bridging of the solenoid than it does under normal circumstances right? My only confusion was Muir talking about bridging this to confirm the starter whirrs - and well - it's whirring, but in a 'that aint right' way.

Here is a video of what the starter is doing currently. I have a used one that was working when I pulled it - so im just debating on going through the R&R process on another potential POS or going and dropping coin on a properly rebuilt non-kragen style junker.


Link

[secretsubmariner]

Damn dude, that doesn't sound good

Good luck
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-Tony
ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ
1978 Champagne Edition Bus FI
1970 Auto Fastback FI

[VDubTech]

The starter is turning but the bendix isn't kicking out. Could be a dirty or bad solenoid. Either way, that starter is coming out.
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First Trip in the RustyBus:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279077&highlight=

[Chris_914]

That test only confirms that the starter motor is working. You have now narrowed down the problem to the solenoid.

The solenoid is just an electro-magnet that pulls in a metal puck that is connected to the drive gear in a similar action to the throw-out bearing in the clutch. When the puck reaches it full travel it pushes a disk against the two lugs you jumped in the video. In one motion it engages the starter gear to the flywheel gear and then energizes the starter motor.

One of three things has probably happened. 1) the puck is stuck, 2) the electro-magnet windings are open, 3) the metal disk that shorts lugs is pitted to the point of no contact.

1 is and easy fix (free the puck), 2 you're out of luck (test for continuity), 3 in GM solenoids you could flip the disk, not sure if this is possible with the Bosch units. (pull the end cap, sometimes electro-magnet wires have to be desoldered to accomplish this)

[Wildthings]

To test the complete starter solenoid package, you need to jump between the big 12+ Volt lug and the small spade where the red/black wire from the starter switch attaches.

Irregardless of what is wrong with the solenoid, your starter motor sounds like the bearings are dry.