Golf GTI Mk2 not turning over...

[jackpe]

Was just clicking this morning but not turning over, assumed it was the battery... it was not. Got a new one and still it just clicks.. what should I be looking at?

Thanks!!!

[B Huey]

Sounds like it could the starter motor.

[MrMoonyMan]

Hit starter motor with hammer.

[SV8Predator]

As it's not a classic car, you may get a better response over at the Audi, VW, Seat & Skoda forum.

[blugnu]

MrMoonyMan said:

Hit starter motor with hammer.

I'd agree - the starter motor on my Viva used to stick and just clicked. I used to carry the bar bit of a dumbell in the glovebox to hit the spindle with, often to the bemusement of passers by.

[LordBretSinclair]

Could be the solenoid (if it has one).

Short across it with a big screwdriver and see if the motor turns.

[varsas]

LordBretSinclair said:

Could be the solenoid (if it has one).

Short across it with a big screwdriver and see if the motor turns.

Clicking suggests the solenoid is fine (would be shocked if this car doesn't have one, but it'll be part of the starter rather then a remote one). Your advice isn't incorrect but it is potentially dangerous, the OP obviously doesn't know too much about these things and if he shorts the wrong thing it could go badly. Hitting the starter with a hammer to see if it's just a dead/weak sport in the windings of the starter is safer and more likely to produce useful information. My advice to the OP would be to do that first and then come back here with the results.

[jackpe]

Kept trying to day and eventually the starter turned over.. might try to take solenoid apart and see if it is the contacts..

[v8250]

varsas said:

Clicking suggests the solenoid is fine (would be shocked if this car doesn't have one, but it'll be part of the starter rather then a remote one). Your advice isn't incorrect but it is potentially dangerous, the OP obviously doesn't know too much about these things and if he shorts the wrong thing it could go badly. Hitting the starter with a hammer to see if it's just a dead/weak sport in the windings of the starter is safer and more likely to produce useful information. My advice to the OP would be to do that first and then come back here with the results.

+1 OP do be careful when shorting across solenoids unless someone's shown you how to do this. all okay to 'medium tap' the starter motor, but do not 'hit' the starter. before all of this check all wiring for good connections/clean + re-tighten/+ check your earthing strap on gearbox...though this would normally give a different type of starting sympton.

ps if you have not got a haynes manual, go out and buy one...it'll be a big help to you.

[Fleckers]

can you push start it ?

also tried to put it in first rock it back and forth to try freeing starter if it is jammed

[jackpe]

SV8Predator said:

As it's not a classic car, you may get a better response over at the Audi, VW, Seat & Skoda forum.

Umm.. I also have a 964 Carrera 4 from 1992 so i don't think i'm being precious but I do consider this a classic.. only just perhaps but it is 22 years old and THE GTI of it's era. Looks great, good fun to drive.

[80quattro]

jackpe said:

SV8Predator said:

As it's not a classic car, you may get a better response over at the Audi, VW, Seat & Skoda forum.

Umm.. I also have a 964 Carrera 4 from 1992 so i don't think i'm being precious but I do consider this a classic.. only just perhaps but it is 22 years old and THE GTI of it's era. Looks great, good fun to drive.

+1. Definite classic. And you can get classic insurance for them, so it must be....

Bump start the car. Job done.

[V8 FOU]

Geee. I thought this was a handling extreme thread or summat....