Starter Motor noise.

jimbobaroo

jimbobaroo

Member
Hi everyone.

For some time now I've had a noise from the starter motor when starting up, but just lately its getting more noticable. The noise is a whining/slight grating noise when the engines fired up and the starter motor is returning to 'rest' position.
I've checked other threads on this subject' but can't seem to come to any conclusion what it might be. Anyone any ideas ???

Might it mean a new starter or a remove, clean up and refit the old one ?
How easy/hard is it to remove the starter to inspect it ?
Only does it when the engines cold. ( Petrol 1.4 )

Any info much apprieciated.

Cheers Bob.
 
Starter motor dragging.

Hi Jimbobaroo,
I have exactly the same problem with my s/motor (2001 petrol 1.4), I have read somewhere on this site 'SOMEONE' who are you?? said they had removed s/motor & cleaned up splines gears etc and replaced, solved problem, now we need to know WHO!!! ??Alan.
 
I wrote about cleaning up the bendix and pinions on starters but have never done this on an A2. You should be able to find the old posts if you do a search on 'starter pinion' without the quotes

Cheers Spike
 
spike said:
I wrote about cleaning up the bendix and pinions on starters but have never done this on an A2. You should be able to find the old posts if you do a search on 'starter pinion' without the quotes

Cheers Spike
Click to expand...
Hi spike .
Found the thread this time cheers. Do you know how easy it is to remove the starter?
Do you need any special 'Audi only' tools?
Will a sharp(ish) chisel and hammer do the job? Probably not enough room to swing the hammer though !!

After disconnecting the battery to do the 'job' , on reconnection might there be any other electrical problems I might encounter other than the radio code resetting ?

Cheers Bob.

P.S. Just had an idea. How about a team event for the Chatsworth Rally Sunday team, were the team 'rally' round and fix my A2 problems ????
Skipton can fix my lateral acceleration sensor, Spike can lubricate my pinion, just need some one to fix the 'clicking' noise I've started getting when the steerings in full lock ...................
 
Hi Bob
After a bit of research I think my original suggestion is a non starter (excuse the pun)
On petrol engine cars, the starter appears to be quite tricky to remove as the job involves removal of a top radiator hose and disconnecting the gearchange selector cable assy which sits on top of the gearbox. You need to go through a basic selector setting procedure on re-assembly. Even if you remove the starter, these new design units have a fully enclosed pinion mechanism so it does not look like you can just slide the pinion forward then polish and lube the bendix shaft as you could on the old models.
If you have a local Bosch service centre it could be worth having a word with them to see if there are any common problems which can be fixed without having to buy a replacement unit.

Cheers Spike
 
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Blimey Spike, . Why is nothing ever straight forward to fix on these damn A2's ???!!!
Unfortunately, I'm still living in the past were I presume any job(with in reason) can be tackled by the basic DIYer, like I used to do on my previous cars and still do on my 43 year old Land Rover.

Looks like I'll have to raid my son's piggy bank and make a trip to an independant or find a Bosch centre like you say.

I wouldn't mind but the reconditioned engine in the A2 has only been in just over 2yrs and getting no end of problems. Even started chucking out blue smoke on first start up from cold. Probably valve stem seals. !!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers Spike anyway.

P.S. How easy/hard is it to do a basic selector setting procedure on the gear linkages ??
Thinking of taking it of and taking it somewhere to be checked over.( Try and save some of my
sons 1pences.)

Bob.
 
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Motor on ours has been making this noise for at least 2 years - hasn't got any worse, so I will leave well alone until I get a problem
 
Hi Bob
The selector setting procedure involves locking the gear lever in a set position with a service tool (looks like a bit of thin bar bent at 90 deg) then adjusting the 2 gearchange cables. Its a bit long winded so you really need the service discs if you'r planning to do it yourself. Skipton may have a set for sale if you don't want to risk buying some of the rubbish on e.bay

Cheers Spike
 
monkeyfinger said:
Motor on ours has been making this noise for at least 2 years - hasn't got any worse, so I will leave well alone until I get a problem
Click to expand...
Hi monkeyfinger.
My starter's been doing it for some time now, but thought I'd do something about it before it turned into an expensive repair bill, but judging by the work thats involved
me thinks I'll put up with it for a bit longer......
 
spike said:
Hi Bob
The selector setting procedure involves locking the gear lever in a set position with a service tool (looks like a bit of thin bar bent at 90 deg) then adjusting the 2 gearchange cables. Its a bit long winded so you really need the service discs if you'r planning to do it yourself. Skipton may have a set for sale if you don't want to risk buying some of the rubbish on e.bay

Cheers Spike
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Hi Spike.

Thanks for feed back. Sounds like too much hassle for the time being, but i think the gear change linkages want looking at anyway , because lately its hard to find reverse,( keeps going into 1st gear instead.) Yet more problems !!!
I'll have a word with Skipton when I see him at Chatsworth, - thats if he's got plenty of time to listen to all my A2 problems.........

Cheers Bob.
 
Hi Bob

Ref your reverse gear selection problem - I read the reverse light switch can partially sieze up and the added resistance makes it difficult to engage reverse gear. A quick check is to slacken off the switch and see if selection of reverse gets easier. If it does then the switch could be at fault

Cheers Spike
 
Skipton01 said:
Thanks for the warning Bob!!

Cheers,

Mike
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Hi Skipton.
Don't worry too much about Sunday at Chatsworth. I'll not keep you talking too long about my A2 problems.

Because you'll need most of the day to fix 'em !!!!

Just make sure you bring your Vagcom kit, 'Haynes Manual' , Spanners, Jacks, Chisels and Hammers.
,I'll provide the A2, tea, coffee and jam butties !!

Don't worry only joking...............( can't afford any jam running an A2 !!!! )

Bob..
 
Hi Spike,

Thanks for that info. I'll have a check of that when l get chance, and hope that it is the problem. Sounds like something l can do that doesn't require ' Audi special tools '.

Problem now is where's the switch ? Easy to get to???

Cheers Bob.
 
Hi Bob
On my TDi the reverse light switch is on the side of the selector mechanism housing on the gearbox - the bit where the gearchange cables end up. Removing the wiring plug is a bit fiddly and you need a 22mm spanner to unscrew the switch. On mine, the plunger was not siezed but I lubricated it anyway and put it all back together. Selecting reverse does seem a fraction smoother but I won't know for definite until i've used the car for a few days.

Cheers Spike
 
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spike said:
Hi Bob
On my TDi the reverse light switch is on the side of the selector mechanism housing - the bit where the gearchange cables end up. Removing the wiring plug is a bit fiddly and you need a 22mm spanner to unscrew the switch. On mine, the plunger was not siezed but I lubricated it anyway and put it all back together. Selecting reverse does seem a fraction smoother but I won't know for definite until i've used the car for a few days.

Cheers Spike
Click to expand...
Hi Spike.
I take it you mean the switch is on the gearbox end, and not the gearstick end ?
Only i've had a look on mine and can't see any switch of any kind, but I'll have a more thorough look tmw.
The starter looks a pain to remove as well, arkward spot to get to!
 
Hi Bob
I did mean the gearbox end. On the diesel gearbox, the switch points daigonally towards the passenger side headlight.

Cheers Spike
 
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