Jim M.

I have one going out now at 110K miles. In my case it's the solenoid, the starter spins but doesn't engage. I have one of Roger's Bosch units still sitting in the box. Need to get moving on the install. Roger what do I look for to tell if it's one of the defective units?

Alan

While you may be right I think it only makes sense to take the battery out and have it load tested. How the battery is treated makes very little difference to life - they just die randomly (sometime quick sometimes slow) and of course it could also be that it just isn't getting charged sufficiently.

Considering how easy it is to check this vs the other options - I'd do this first...

Alternatives are to have someone monitor the battery voltage while you are cranking it (>8v is good, <7v is bad) or just use an alternate battery that you know is in good health

Good luck.

Alan

karl ruiter

Just thought I would close this one out. The brushes were totally gone and a part of one of the cages that hold the brushes had broken away and was ratteling around in there. Hence the grinding.

Here is a cool fact: If you are on an island, thousands of miles away from the nearest 928 starter, you can take the whole brush plate (the plate, with the cages, brushes and springs) from a VW bug starter and swap it in. Fits right in and works great. The brushes are not quite as long, so I expect shorter brush life. But then it only has to last a couple of weeks until I can get starter sent in. Wish I had taken pictures to post......

Rob Edwards

So the previous owner of the Cobalt GT had had a number of issues with the starter over two different years running to SITM and back. About 3 months before he parked the car for 6 years he had the starter replaced. There is also an issue at the 14 pin connector or somewhere in the FOE harness, as in 2006 the PO had his shop run an 'auxiliary' yellow wire to the starter:








Anyway- fast forward to today, I tried to start the car to get it out of the garage this AM- hit the key, and the starter would spin but not engage the flywheel. Tried it 3-4 times, and then it started normally.

So where's the lesion? If it's spinning the solenoid is good. What are the odds that the bendix goes intermittent on an almost new starter? Probably more likely that the yellow wire is gamey somewhere along its route...

Leon Speed

The yellow wire is the contact wire no? I would say the bendix is faulty.

ltoolio

Old thread resurrection....

I've got my starter out for some other work.

Would the EBay service kit be some good WIIAT work? I think the starter is original at around 125k miles.

SeanR

Just buy a good rebuild from Roger and forget it for another 10 years.

ltoolio

My current one is working without issue, otherwise I would (and will when I need one).

I was more looking to see if I should do the kit that Rob did as a way to extend the life of my current one.

Randy V

So you're looking to do a repair that is not needed?

Andre The Giant

My starter started acting up this year, where after every 5 or so startups, I would hear this sort of loud whizzing noise and no engaging. So I turn the key off and then try it again and it starts quite easily. I suspect the bendix is faulty but then again I am no expert. Is it worth rebuilding/replacing the faulty bendix or should I consider a rebuilt starter from Roger ? The car has 84,000 miles on it. How much is a rebuilt starter, should I be firmly sitting down ?

ROG100

Re-manufactured Bosch starter is $118

Andre The Giant

Thank you Roger, that is pretty good ! I was expecting it to cost me an arm !
Is it the same starter for all model years, mine is an 85 ?

What is the lifecycle of a rebuilt compared to new is there much of a difference, anyone knows ?

If it's the bendix which is at fault is it worth while rebuilding the one I have as a short term fix or I should not bother and go rebuilt right away ?

JPTL

The starter in my '88 wouldn't turn or engage today at the track. I turned the key and nothing. No audible solenoid kick, no whirr, nothing. Battery is healthy, connections are good at the battery. The starter relay was clicking, and a buddy got under the car and said that he felt the solenoid slightly clicking as though it was getting power.
I think that it's the original starter, but I need to look into that.
Beside checking the connections at the starter as well as ground, is there something else I should check before pulling the starter?

SwedeInSiam

Could be ignition switch

jetson8859

My starter went out on the 87 S4 about a year ago. Same symptoms, turn key and nothing, everything else worked. My confirmation was whacking starter with a hammer while someone tried to start. I tapped it twice and car started right up.