roman944

we finished my A/C Delete -> alternator bracket

its perfect

went to start the car, and found another small fuel leak from one of the lines not being tightened all the way

fixed that

tried to start the car again - at first it would try to turn over, then all tries stopped

thought it was a DME relay, tried tapping it - didn't work

then I insisted that we check out the starter - and found that one of the wires has separated from the starter

its old/trashy and a little burned off now

so my question would be: is 944 starter interchangeable with VW/BMW/Volvo/Audi?

thanks guys!

I was so ready to finally start the car and let it run on it's own ... though I'm happy that this happened now and not while I'm on a trip to somewhere!

944Ross

Don't you just want to replace the wire? Why the starter?

roman944

I am not sure how this wire gets replaced

its the wire that has insulation on it (white sleeve)

John_AZ

If it was just the wire you could get some information from this rebuilding link:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...0#post42115781

Usually when you open the case the internals on an old starter will begin to fall apart or crack further.

You can get rebuilts at many auto parts stores. The standard rebuilt is just cleaned and tested. If you want a dependable rebuilt, the Bosch (others) "remanufactured" are best. Parts that wear are replaced.

I have found "remanufactured" starters and alternators used for about $50 +sh. No problems so far.

If you have a lot of funds, Ideola has the "superman" of starters.
http://garage.ideola.com/prod-HiTorque.html

I do not know of an interchange to VW/Audi ++. It may be due to the torque required to spin the FW so the sensors kick in.

GL
John

roman944

Thanks John!

I remember seeing a group-buy either on starters or alternators (I thought it was alternators) - but after a search, I found that.

I went to Autozone/Advance Auto Parts - and they can have a starter for me for $150 (before I bring my starter in) and I could have it the very next day. Though I don't know how good/reliable they are, but on some of our other cars we've never had problems with their starters/alternators before.

Maybe ideola will see this post and make another GB ... lol

I was taken by surprise though, I wasn't expecting Bosch rebuilds to be selling for $250 range ... with that in mind, I'd definitely go with ideola's starter. But compared to $150 from Autozone (would be about $100 after I bring my old one in) ... is it really worth the extra $100?

I also don't think I should be taking one apart and putting it back together, for all I know this could still very much be the original one, lol.

And yeah, it appears to be just that wire, looks like due to age it finally gave up.

roman944

so, ran out to Autozone and ordered their starter, $100 after core charge, not too bad

I may get ideola's starter in the future and maybe even Lindsey's "lightweight" alternator (for us, starter/atlernator usually had to be replaced right about the same time, but I don't even know how "old" mine are)

so by Wednesday I should have the car up and running!

Jfrahm

Just to add info to this thread, I have read that the VW Rabbit/Jetta starter of similar years will fit the 944 but spins backwards

ibkevin

I wonder if a polarity swap would fix that?