Raspy starter! Sometimes......

[Pernicitus]

Hi guys,

I have this reoccurring problem that seems to be getting worse of late!

My car used to start first time 99% of the time, but sometimes when I would go to start it, when I turn the key, the starter would turn over 2-3 times and then stop! It might start again and turn once more and then I would hear a raspy/choking sound coming from under the bonnet.

When I took it to the garage to have them look at it. The car would never be sick. Of late its been happening allot more. There is no pattern to the problem. Start it cold one morning, no problem. Start it cold the next morning and choking sound. Drive for 2 hours, pull into a garage for a fill up. Go to start the car afterwards and no joy, end up having to push start the car!

A mate told me it was the magnets in the starter, another mate told me its the solenoid!

Any ideas?

[adamss24]

Get a new starter from Euro car parts or GSFand fit it yourself. Will cost about 100 quid max and you could get some money back by giving them your old starter in exchange !

[Pernicitus]

Right so, I STILL have the same problem!

I replaced the plugs and there was a noticable improvment in the starting but it still reoccured. Twice it happened that I couldnt start the car, kept turning over 2-3 times and then raspy sound, after which the oil light would come on. Turn off and turn on the ignition and no oil light, try again and the same!

I then replaced the starter motor. Thought to myself, happy days its all sorted!
Four days after the starter was fitted, IT happened AGAIN!!!!!! Arggggh

A mechanic friend took the car for a drive today and while down at the shops, it happened to him. When he got back, he said its defo the immobilser. But if it were the immobiliser, then how can I push start it??

Any help guys, this is doing my head in!!!!

[Col]

What engine is it ?

There is usually a phosphor bronze bush that fits into the gearbox housing that needs to be replaced with the starter.

[Pernicitus]

Its an AGG, GTI 2.0 8v. Phosphor bronze bush? sounds technical :)
But what difference would that makeCol?

Pernic

[Col]

Its an AGG, GTI 2.0 8v. Phosphor bronze bush? sounds technical :)
But what difference would that makeCol?

Pernic

The starter pinion will either not engauge with the flywheel properly or will bind up.

[Pernicitus]

Hmmm OK so, what would you recommend as the next step?

I dont understand why the starting can be fine for a while and then suddenly out of the blue (usually at the worst time poss) it decides Nah feckit I aint startin now!

It will push start but thats not a great solution, I nearly have to park on a hill now every time, just in case!

Any ideas?

[Col]

You say you changed the starter?

If so, the bronze bush would have been supplied with the motor.

If you had it done then whoever did it may have taken a shortcut by not fitting it as it is a bit of a fiddle.

[Pernicitus]

Cheers Col

I'll have to look into that after crimbo,
I dont think I'll need the car too much over the crimbo period anyway, being as drunk as I intend to be :)

Nice one for all the help

Pernicitus