Mk3 Golf Cabrio - Starter Problems

[alexmcc]

I tried to start my car today and there was a bit of a loud pop (only word to describe it) and a little bit of smoke. Now when I try and start, it does nothing. There isn't even any clicking noise when I try and start it over. Have checked all of the obvious things like plugs, fuses, loose wires and battery connections but still nothing. I think this maybe starter related but not sure. We did manage to get it started but only by pushing it down a street a bit and then bumping it in second gear. Anyone got any advice on what I can do as I am stumped. Bit of an amateur really but still wanting to try and do this myself so I need some good instructions lol.

[v6dub]

I’m almost 100% sure it is your starter motor, have you looked at the wires going into it. Because the popping you heard might have been a wire burning out and the smoke from the insulation burning. Or it might have been a wire come loses, or a your starter motor might have given up the ghost.