Trent.smith

Hey guys, car is currently out of commission due to some starter issues I was wondering if anyone can sort me out so I can get her back on the road.

Had some issues with pre ignition detonation causing some damage to my original starter. After fixing the issue I needed a new starter (couldn't find a rebuild kit) and decided to go for a high torque starter. I found someone selling one used so I bought it however this starter when installed was grinding (the pinion teeth are fine as are the ones on my flywheel (see photos). The previous owner told me that the starter worked great in their 944S.

Does the 944S have a different bellhousing or flywheel position then the 944 8V NA? I heard the Turbo has a different bell housing that has different starter alignment and will cause grinding. The teeth of my ring gear look fine as does the teeth of the new starter.


flywheel ring gear

Old starter worn from preignition

new high torque starter

951Tom

I’d probably return that starter & buy the correct Bosch SR39X unit. There must be an alignment issue if you hear grinding noises & if that ring gear gets damaged you’re F’d. Sorry not more helpful.

Breakaway944

The 16v cars have a different bellhousing, at least the part numbers are different. If you were experiencing an ignition event that would stop your starter it could be from your reference sensor. Late cars had a sleeve installed on the sensor bracket to prevent this.

MAGK944

Only the 944 turbo has a different bellhousing due to it having a bigger clutch, well actually also the 968 too for a different reason, all the other 944 models (944/S/S2) had the same bellhousing as they all had the smaller size clutch.