Mk 2 Starting problem??

Hi all, this is my first post on here and unfortunately i come to you with a problem that no one has been able to fix (and its driving me mad)

Ok, I own a 1990 Mk2 8v GTI, i love the car, i would say its been the best car i've ever owned but it keeps killing starter motors, what happens is it will be perfectly fine for a while then i will go to start it hot or cold and it will do all sorts of odd thing (the starter that is) the most common one is Imagen the bearings in your starter have gone, well its kind of like that, it turns over like its got a flat battery and makes a grinding noise at the same time (this is with a fully charged brand new battery fitted and all the terminals etc spotless)

The thing is i fit a new starter and its fine for six months to a year then it comes back? The story goes that the first time i bought one of a scrapper and that lasted 2 months, so that was replaced with a cheap motor factors one which lasted 6 months (just out of warntee) then i decided to get it done properly, so i took it to my local VW main dealer who fitted a new starter, Brass Bush and bolts, this was good for 12 months.

Ok the last time i had it done was six months ago and i took it to another main dealer (with a good rep) i told them the hole story and asked them to see what they could do. So they replaced the lot again checked the ring gear and stuff like gear box bolts etc, this time it lasted six months.

What is bugging me is that there must be some thing causing the starters to go?? its not like its turning a really tight motor (i can turn it by hand)

has anyone heard of a problem like this or has any idea how to fix it? I really don't want to sell the car but it wouldn't go for my Girlfriend last week and tbh i don't like the idea of here stuck (plus i'd get it in the neck)

Any advice would be most appreciated.
Cheers
chris

finally someone with something old with no ecu!!! Smile

try changing your ignition switch. there known for packing in. if the internals are worn the starter might not be pulling back properly and burning out.

Just a bit of an update.

today i pulled it to bits and striped the starter expecting to see some sort of damage/Wear but there is nothing??? So i cleaned it up and put it back on and its allot better but it now sounds like its not sat in the correct place (it sounds like its misaligned if you know what i mean).

So now i'm thinking maybe the engine mount/starter holes are elongated or worn so as soon as the engine hits it with some torque it moves the starter enough for it not to make good contact with the ring gear???

I will also test the ignition switch tomorrow and see if the power stays on longer than it should for the starter.

The odd thing is i can't find any wear or damage?? the starter itself has some movement in the shaft when its off but as soon as you fit it into the brass collor in the box it feels tight, so i am not sure if thats the problem??

	click wrote:
	finally someone with something old with no ecu!!!

Yeh simple is good Smile

I really can't fault it (well apart from the starter motor) it goes spot on, costs next to nothing to run, looks good and i really like driving it. So i am keen to get this sorted then i'll be a happy man.

i very much doubt its the starter moving in the hole in the gearbox.i'd say its your switch but it will be hard to find the problem by testing it. there not to expensive new so maybe just change it and see if it makes a difference. there's not much else that can go wrong!!