Squealing Starter Motor

is the starter motor at the back of the engine compartment on the right side? had a quick look yesterday - couldn't really see anything else.
 
Hi
The starter motor is at the front of the enginebay where the gearbox/flywheel casing bolts up to the engine, next to the electric fan on the radiator. You'll see a couple of thick electric cables bolted onto the starter motor.
The top bolt holding the starter on is to the left hand side of the gear change linkage on top of the gearbox.
Hope this helps, check towards the beginning of this thread, there might be a better description etc.
 
just got back to this issue (Decided to sell the lovely beast) I never did fix it, oops, can somebody take a pic, or show me where it actually is?

What I thought was the starter motor, has a weird copper pipe coming out the bottom - am I wide of the mark??

I'm no mechanic but useful with hands, well electronics in any case.

Hope to be able to save on the garage!
 
What engine is it ?, TDI as you look into the bonnet area (bonnet off of course), look straight down at the front of the engine (between the engine and the radiator)

Cheers Phil
 
Sorry to bump this, but I have two days off and would like to get it fixed if possible.

£160 seems a lot to pay at the garage when I'm changing cars!

cheers
 
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Having found a lot more information on here, it seems that actually getting to the starter motor is a bit beyond my basic mechanical skills! (I was quite looking forward to taking it to bits :) )

Anybody think £160 is a reasonable price to have the starter motor replaced?

Many thanks, sorry for lots of posts on this matter.
 
Yep £160 parts and labour, bit annoying because it does work - but its not a the noise you want to hear when you are buying a car is it!
 
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Are you looking to sell the car? If so, i've noticed on mine that it only start's to squeal when the temperature drops. Maybe wait a few weeks until it gets warmer and you might find that the noise is gone.
 
Mine has squealed for over a year and a half, whatever the weather!
It doesn't always do it, but more often than not.

Might see if I can find it and give it a sharp tap with a spanner, see if it frees it up - very primitive I guess!!!!
 
For owners of base model petrol A2s this is not something I'd attempt if you are just a basic diyer.

It took my mechanic 2 hours to do and involves taking various items off to get to the starter motor. I watched him really struggle with it.

The car really needs to be lifted as well.

£150 well spent.

Nice not to have the noise.
 
starter motor

i have just bought a brand new starter motor from ebay and it was £62 delivered, ordered monday and it arrived tuesday via courier not fitted yet but it seems to be ok and has a 12 month warranty (was a trade seller and a reciept was provided for warranty)
item no is

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....480016&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_1274wt_939

i have a tdi 2002 with amf engine but i think they do other engine codes as well if you look on their shop.

elsa service manual shows this as being a fairly easy item to replace, two bolts, cables and undertray.

** update, ebay starter motor now installed and turns over like a dream -4 this morning and no trouble starting and no overun!!**
 
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I think thats where the confusion came on here, the tdi starter motor is easy to replace. The basic petrol is not, on mine you had to undo gear linkages remove air filter (I think that what it was) take off the tray.

My mechanic said next time I take the A2 in he will think how long it will take to repair and then add an extra hour!
 
leaving the starter motor making that noise........
can it not wear the flywheel teeth?
I have come accross it before on other cars............
 
Well, I thought I'd resurrect this old thread having lived with the squeal for a few years now and wanting smoother starting come the winter....my indie is doing this for about £180 all in using a Bosch motor which was about £90 cheaper than an OEM item from TPS.

No funny looks when starting from next week onwards!
 
cjscos said:
leaving the starter motor making that noise........
can it not wear the flywheel teeth?
I have come accross it before on other cars............
Click to expand...

The noise is not from the flywheel teeth, it is just a "dry metal noise" from the spindle of the motor.
It sounds MUCH worse than it is and it is far more of an annoyance than a mechanical problem.

But as with anything it is best to fix it ASAP (a basic strip down and lube is all that is needed).

Steve B
 
My daughter's 1994 VW Passat Estate makes a similar noise, a sort of terrified squeal when the starter motor bendix returns and has always done it. It has now done 250k miles and did it when I had it too....... My understanding was that grease was not the permanent answer as it would attract dust etc. I was told that graphite was the answer. The starter is the original, I know because I bought it at less than six months old...... it was an ex VW Car one of the first TDi's imported with drum rear brakes She loves the car and the noise too. It does advise pedestrians that she is about to move and they should stay put!

Seems logical to me as she has a blemish free driving record and just smiles when they turn and look.
 
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