No-Start-Saga Update

[peter at thescirocco.com (Peter)]

I just thought of something...

You can't bench-test VW starters without supporting the spindle.
Most US starters have a support, that covers half of the starter drive gear, 
but VW's don't have that, the support is actually part of the transaxle.
You know, where the starter bushing goes.

I used a fubar'd B3 auto trans to cut out the starter support section, with 
the 2 mounting holes, just so I can bench-test 'em without holding the 
starter against a transaxle.

Btw, you can measure the resistance, or short, of the solenoid wire, right 
by the solenoid, that goes to the ignition switch, by hooking the volt meter 
between the solenoid wire and the disconnected positive battery cable. 
Infinite with the ignition off, and close to zero when the key is switched 
to start, it should go back to zero when you let go of the key, but it 
sounds like it won't.

HTH!

Peter - 302.832.8989
thescirocco.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lexan Blanchard" <lexan_122874@hotmail.com>
To: <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 8:06 PM
Subject: No-Start-Saga Update


> First, let me say that I appreciate all the support from all you guys!  I 
> really don't know much about cars (there could be mice making it run for 
> all I know), and this is the most fun and frustrating challenge I have had 
> in a long time.  Kinda makes me want to go back to college and take some 
> auto shop classes.
>
> Anyway, after I emailed on what to do with the starter motor that won't 
> stop I called Dan Snow to vent my vehicle frustrations.  He told me to 
> slow down before returning the new starter as bad, as I don't want to get 
> a "name" at the local parts store.  Then I started thinking about the 
> car's known history.  Previous owner got it running for 1 block and it cut 
> off and would not re-start.  Dan suggested I check the wiring from the 
> ignition switch and the switch itself.  This is all making sense now!  I 
> believe the previous owner burnt the starter motor when he got the car 
> running because he didn't realize the starter never shut off.  Also, a 
> misbehaving wire in this area may explain my mysterious battery drain.
>
> So, when it warms up a bit in the evenings here (I am complaining about 
> 30's at night and hi 40s low 50s in the day for you yankees), I am getting 
> under the dash with my little multimeter and seeing if I have a bad 
> ignition switch or wires that need to be tamed.
>
> I can't wait to prove the local yokels at the auto parts store that a girl 
> can fix a car.  They keep asking me when I am going to give up, how much 
> money I want to spend (including purchasing the car for $425, I and still 
> under $600 so far, and it's all my fun money so no one is going hungry), 
> and that I just need "a good man/boyfriend" to fix that car for me.
>
> I will keep all posted!
> Lexan
>
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