Weird starter problem. **urgent** PIC

[Kinetik_tsi]

Well this is my only car and it starts when ever it wants. I need it to go to work. It will start when left over night or a long period of time. Once it starts, I shut it down to start it again and it only does it once again and won't start on the 3rd try. When I turn the ignition, only some relays click. Once the relay in front of the ecu made a weird buzzing sound. I have narrowed it down to something that has to do with the starter since the egine doesn't turn over or something that controls the starter. I found the positive contact on the starter solenoid was burned (picture) so I replaced it thinking this was the culprit. No dice. The car does the exact same thing. What could it possible be. Any help will be much appreciated.

 

[GTM]

Originally posted by Kinetik_tsi
...
it starts when ever it wants.
...
When I turn the ignition, only some relays click. Once the relay in front of the ecu made a weird buzzing sound. I have narrowed it down to something that has to do with the starter since the egine doesn't turn over or something that controls the starter. I found the positive contact on the starter solenoid was burned (picture) so I replaced it thinking this was the culprit. No dice.
...

It looks like you have a major short in the starter motor which burned up the solenoid and will probably burn up the new one. When they get hurt this bad you would be better off getting a used one from a wrecking yard or a rebuilt. Yes it's possible the brush dust is in great lumps inside the carrier plate but it will have shorted out winding and armature to the point it's probably garbage. Buzzing relays can come from dirty battery connections of a low battery when there isn't enough volts to hold the relay closed. You should have a couple relays click when turned on but this could also be an indication of another problem un-related to the starter.

Cheers,
GTM

 

[Kinetik_tsi]

Thanks!! I got a wiseman reply, woohooo!! Alright, I'll try a different starter thanx!

 

[BUCK]

And think about a new starter cable ASAP so your new starter will last! - it's 14 years old too!

 

[GTM]

Originally posted by BUCK
And think about a new starter cable ASAP so your new starter will last! - it's 14 years old too!

I dunno, maybe it's a keeper had to be one heck of a good cable to take out the solenoid. Was a lot more common to see them burned like _that_ before they went to the gear reduction units. I would have thought the brush plate lead had to be pretty crispy too. Progress and costs make it cheaper to reduce wire size where introducing a gear reduction is more cost effective over buying copper wire. Not too many here can remember when the imports switched from 6v systems to 12 because they didn't need a 4hp electric motor to spin a 4 cylr 1500cc engine.

That thing didn't let go overnight for the cover is well eaten away with rust. I just hope it didn't overheat the Alt. from the increased charging loads. Have you noticed the change of reported problems as the weather becomes a factor on components which were borderline during the summer months...

Cheers,
GTM

 

[Kinetik_tsi]

Thanks for the advice GTM. I got a used starter and replaced the solenoid on that one with the new one I bought (didn't want it to go to waste), and installed it. Problem solved! Were would we be without you guys.

 

[GTM]

Originally posted by Kinetik_tsi
Thanks for the advice GTM. I got a used starter and replaced the solenoid on that one with the new one I bought (didn't want it to go to waste), and installed it. Problem solved! Were would we be without you guys.

Super business there and good use of the solenoid. Thanks for letting us know what solved the problem for a lot of people don't bother and just leave the thread and us wondering if the car got junked. Poke around and feel wires from the steering column to make sure nothing else got hot and brittle just as a confidence builder.

Cheers,
GTM