Starter question *Please Help*

[heinzanova]

I have a 1992 TSI FWD talon I recently purchased. I am still rather new to working on my own cars, and I haven't gotten my chiltons in the mail yet for this guy.

Well yesterday the alternator went, so I had my mechanic change it, but I watched him from phase one till the end and I could do it myself now, sorry I just don't know what has to come off in what order... like I said I am truely new.

Unfortunatly he is gone tomorrow and the next few days, and tonight my starter decided to crap out (or so I think it is the starter, turn the key to start and nothing happens, no ticking no nothing... just the fuel pump and something else making a winning noise).

So I guess this is the starter? Battery and such are in great shape, we had to push start it tonight.

My question, A is it the starter probably?
B. how hard is it to change the starter
C. Where the hell is the starter on this car ?!? (only looked top down tonight, and the visual engine bay site didnt have it listed (since it is top view)
D. does anyone have exact steps or can point me to the steps to change it (as per what needs to be removed) it would be greatly greatly greatly apperciated.

Please if it is in the VFaq or on here that I could not find it, please I am sorry I did not see/find it.

 

[91awd]

The starter is under the intake manifold. It is held on my two bolts and then the positive battery cable goes to it. It's kinda of a pain in the a$$. But can be done by just taking out the two bolts then pulling it up and that will give you room to take the wires off of it. It's kinda tricky to get it out without taking off the throttle body elbow. Make sure you disconect the negative battery cable if you attemp to do this yourself. Goodluck! It's easier to show someone in person than try to explain it.

 

[heinzanova]

Thank you, wish me luck

Does this sound like I am replacing the right part? by the description of my problem?

 

[Quasimondo]

Starter removal will be much easier if you pull out the batery, box, and tray so you'll have more room.

Also, before you burn dollars on a new starter, make sure wherever you take it to has it tested to see if your problem really is the starter.

 

[Aikouka]

Starter removal will be much easier if you pull out the batery, box, and tray so you'll have more room.

Also, before you burn dollars on a new starter, make sure wherever you take it to has it tested to see if your problem really is the starter.

Just test the starter yourself. It's incredibly easy. connect the positive terminal (it'll be the one with the nut on it) to the positive on the battery and then the connector that slides on is the negative connector. So just connect those and the starter gear should move out (away from the starter motor) and then begin to spin.

Let me give you some advice, before you take it out, check things like the starter relays. You do NOT want to have to take out the starter if you do not have to. It isn't an intensive job, but it's just a pain to get that starter out. You have to navigate past the vacuum tubes, the shifter cables and God knows what else.

But just check the starter relay, first and then the starter. The starter relay is behind the driver's side kick panel that's beneath the steering wheel. There are 4 screws that hold it in (2 beneath the square ... things that you can just pry out with a screwdriver and the other 2 are underneath.) The starter relay is in a group of three and it's the middle one.

To test the starter relay ... okay, I'm not sure about which pin does what at the moment. but the relay connectors are in a T shape. One set of pins is supposed to make the clicking noise (closes the link between the other two pins.) Also, an even quicker way to see if your relay is bad, just find the two that carry the current to the starter motor, bridge them with something and try starting the car. Sorry that I can't remember which one it is at the moment ( it's 2 am and I don't feel like going out to the garage to get my Haynes manual. )

Good luck with it, and I hope you don't have to take your starter motor out. It's just a pain .

 

[91awd]

Good thinking. ^^^ I should have said that.