Starter problems

[Andrew7DG]

this is on a 1992 TSi

So the car has an engine transplant and we are hooking everything back up. We are ready to start the engine and turned the key and spun the starter. The starter just spun and didn't spin the engine at all. Ok so we thought bad starter so we switched and installed another one. Same result. We rechecked all the grounds and made sure connections are tight. Can anyone think of what we have missed. We are at a loss right now. Also as you turn the key to start the car, it makes a weird clicking noise for just a little bit. Soming is wrong with the silonoid?WTF

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

Clicking noise is usually a solenoid or a battery. If it is spinning then it either isn't engaging or the teeth on the flywheel are stripped.

 

[Andrew7DG]

I know the teeth on the flywheel aren't stripped. I believe the solenoid isn't engaging and we don't know why. Like I said I don't think it is the starter because we tried two.

I know there is a usual ticking noise but the problem is that it is a repeted ticking. Its not normal

 

[90_EAGLE_TALON]

You could always take the starter to an auto parts store to have them put it on a test bench to see if the starter is kicking out on the bendix. If the starter is kicking out on the test bench and the teeth on the flywheel are not stripped then you may have the starter wiring not connected right somewhere. I have seen this before at work.

 

[Andrew7DG]

Well took starter out and had tested but the starter is fine. I don't know whats going on. What wire controls the silionoid or what would be preventing the starter from working? Checked all the wiring.

 

[TurboMightyMax]

It sounds to me like you have it wired up wrong.

 

[burtreynolds]

I had this happen to my VW once after working on unrelated parts under the hood. Turned out I didn't tighten the connections to the battery. Tightened terminals, problem solved. Worth a look anyway.

 

[Andrew7DG]

Ok ...

um... this is kind of dumb and embarrassing so we figured out the problem....

the AWD flywheels are a little bit smaller then the FWDs aren't they.


So the owner of the car is pulling an all nighter to switch the flywheels. It is going to be a pain in the butt with poly mounts in there.

Sorry about all that!!!

 

[crankbender]

Make sure the starter is also held by the correct bolts.

Any play in how the starter engages the flyweel can cause the teeth to wear. Don't cause a big problem with a small mistake.