What's this thing I just broke?

[lostinavan]

Pulled the van out of its cave today, went to start it ..nothin. Charged the battery, then tried jumping, still nothing. Moving down the list, I tapped the starter a little, then noticed a semi-corroded cable connection associated with the starter that I hadn't seen previously. Worth a shot to clean it yeah?

Bad move, perhaps. When I finally got a socket on this thing and gave it some love, the whole thing cracked up and, semi hilariously, caused the starter to finally fire up and roll the van about ten feet (forward, thank god) before i got it in neutral. The starter continued going off until I d/qd the battery (yes I know).

The thing is conveniently located under the coolant line passage to the right of the starter. It's an 84 Vanagon btw, 1.9 water boxer. There are three cables that connect to it, one from the front of the vehicle and two that head to the starter.

Stupid question perhaps, but I can't find this thing in the Bentley, what is it?

Follow up: do you have one you'd like to sell, or is it even necessary?

Bomus question, would anyone like to speculate on whether the thing's desire to break could be related to the original problem?

[Zeitgeist 13]

That's an aftermarket starter solenoid, and yes it's more than likely related to your starting issues.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[DanHoug]

it's a "Ford" starter solenoid someone installed to try to cure the Vanagon "no crank" syndrome due to a voltage drop to the OEM solenoid.

you can get a new one for about $8 if you want to keep the entire system the same and not mod anything that the PO did.

-dan

[IdahoDoug]

Agree - replace it. That's not a bad idea, actually. While you're messing with it and starter wiring, I think this is the perfect time to toss a hidden switch in the wiring so you can prevent its theft.
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[lostinavan]

Thank you guys. Good info.

So breaking the aftermarket solenoid essentially shorted out the switch, causing the starter to go. And the oem solenoid is essentially defunct.

Options seem to be a)replace with another 'fordanoid' b) find an oem solenoid and try to make it work or perhaps c) replace the whole starter with a fancy new gear reduction one from GW that hopefully solves the whole deal?

[Paulbeard]

[lostinavan]

Looks like westyventures doesn't sell starters any more, and the kit is $75 - any particular reason the tdi starter is better than the one offered by gw?

[Red Beard]

Also, disconnect the battery before you work on the starter next time.
_________________
1990 Vanagon, FAS Gen V 2.0 NA, AT w/ Peloquin diff, NAHT conversion

[Paulbeard]

[markswagen]

The starter adapter allows you the option that, if it were to go bad, you can go to your local flaps and pick one up.
Also the Bosch starter is a MUCH better option,I have had to replace several of those high torque starters, and I will not fit another, you do not have to modify it out of the box, to make it work.

[markswagen]

Also while you are at it, fit a new hard start relay, from thatvwbusguy, his stuff is about the best out there, can't you find a link to it right now.
_________________
markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310

[dobryan]

[Abscate]

A poster child thread for why adding crappy parts to solve other faulty parts is bad practice.

If your starter won’t hit start , fix the starter and /or wiring , don’t add more wiring and connections to go wrong
_________________
.ssS!

[dobryan]

Or carry a hammer.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[lostinavan]

Cool, thanks again everyone.

Going to go with the adapter and tdi starter

Would that be a likely fix for the 'no crank' that led to the am solenoid being installed (and later led to me breaking it) Or would it be highly advisable to also do the hard start relay?

[Vanagon Nut]

[calfredson]

The hard start relay is inexpensive and easy to install, particularly if you are doing the starter anyway. In addition to giving more amps to the starter, it also protects your ignition switch, so I would say there's no reason not to do it.

[Dampcamper]

Photo of solenoid doesn't show much corrosion, the bakelite housing broke at the point where the lugs go through. If the heavy wires were pulled tight or hanging a lot of weight on those lugs that would strain it. Bakelite doesn't exactly have tensile strength.

[lostinavan]

It wasn't broken until I wrenched on it. The nut for the cable connector was/is seized, so the whole Bakelite broke in half. Good times. Hopefully though, that flukish occurance will lead to the permanent solution of all starting issues with this van, ha ha

[Vanagon Nut]