Does Not Want To Start

**Jarred** · 18-10-2009, 11:24 AM

Dom had this issue, too; (his car is the same as yours) as well as Spyda, for them it was the starter solenoid.

I believe it was due to heat soak from the exhaust, causing the solenoid to play up. once the car cooled down, it would start fine.

I'm with Andrew on this one.

**FACT HUNTer** · 18-10-2009, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by Jarred

Dom had this issue, too; (his car is the same as yours) as well as Spyda, for them it was the starter solenoid.

I believe it was due to heat soak from the exhaust, causing the solenoid to play up. once the car cooled down, it would start fine.

I'm with Andrew on this one.

I also had this problem with my '77 auto.I fixed it about 10 or 11 months ago and it hasn't happened since.It's caused by heat soak from the exhaust manifold but is also wear related.

Briefly,you need to remove any scratches or grooves from the solenoid piston or plunger,especially radial grooves that indicate jamming.
Then,de-burr the lip of the solenoid cylinder or body.Give it a slight chamfer.
Fit your heatshield to your starter motor and notice the base of the solenoid is exposed to heat from the exhaust manifold.Extend your heatshied to fully protect the solenoid and the solenoid mounting base(where the actuating lever is)Use sheet metal and a few 6mm screws and nuts to attach it.Do not leave sharp edges.

Hope that helps.

**melissa** · 20-10-2009, 10:00 AM

Thanks for the help - that one is way above my skills! I know my limits

Will let the mechanic give that a go.

**melissa** · 12-11-2009, 08:13 PM

Just bringing this one back - it did it again today. I tried jiggling the key but no joy so I am going with the heat theory - it was warm today, and I sat there for 20 minutes waiting before it would start again so that makes me think it needed to cool down. Will get it sussed soon - today the fuel tank got dropped in the T3 and the sender unit replaced, next week the brakes are booked in so the Golf will have to wait till the week after.

Looks like my mission at the moment is keeping VW mechanics in work!

**Golf Loon** · 12-11-2009, 08:41 PM

It the starter motor Melissa.
It sits next to the exhaust on an auto and the solder melts, when it cools it will reform and the car will start.
There needs to be a heatshield fitted and perhaps a new starter.