It IS pretty easy to remove the starter, but do note the need to support the front of the engine with a jack and piece of wood under the pan; you'll need to jockey it around to align the holes, if your luck runs like mine. I wouldn't even bother trying to pull the solenoid without pulling the starter first; 'way too awkward, IMHO. Odds are, the solenoid is either burned out, or its contacts have gotten so pitted they don't make a decent connection. These are not DIY issues, but it's easy enough to replace the solenoid if the screws and the nut will come loose. I'd probably take it to my local starter & alternator/generator rebuilder, and buy the solenoid from him. He'd put it on "While-U-Wait", and probably still charge less than the local parts places. DEFINITELY less than the stealer! Exception would be if I had a spare solenoid (used) waiting for use; then I'd do the swap here or wherever I was working on the car, and reinstall the package. Just my $0.02. Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Denis Palmans To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2001 1:17 PM Subject: replacing starter solenoid
I need to fix this on my sisters 8v GTI, but i have a few questions. #1 is it possible to remove the solenoid without removing the starter? the bently says to remove the starter, but i was just wondering if it could be done without removing it. #2 How easy is removing the starter, the bently makes it seem like a peice of cake... Take out 4 bolts, remove starter, fix starter, screw in 4 bolts, and your done. Anything i need to be aware of if i do end up taking it out? #3 and lastly, is there anyway to fix the solenoid myself? can i pop the thing open and take a look at it. It would be a bit nicer than having to pay for a new one.... Any help would be great. -Denis
