'97 Polo Starter Motor

[Michelle_Dukes]

Howdy,

What a horrible day!

I Just had the unfortunate luck of having the starter motor on my lovely '97 Polo die on me (one day before new years!), it's my first time owning VW and as such i'm a little unsure as to the best place to go in order to get it fixed. (And not get ripped off)

Could someone recommend a good VW mechanic in Adelaide? Plzzzzzz

Thanks in advance.

[h100vw]

German Auto in Melrose Park is my choice. Right next to the big Maccas on the East side of South Road.

When you say die, what's it not doing?

Gavin

[Michelle_Dukes]

German Auto in Melrose Park is my choice. Right next to the big Maccas on the East side of South Road.

When you say die, what's it not doing?

Gavin

It wasn't turning over basically, it's been towed to a mechanic at Marion, basically i've taken his word for it that it needs replacing. Although he's quoted me close to 1K including labor which i'm a little dubious about.

[Golf Loon]

That seems a lot for a starter motor.

I`d have a second hand one for $150. Not very hard to fit.

[Michelle_Dukes]

That seems a lot for a starter motor.

I`d have a second hand one for $150. Not very hard to fit.

That's what I thought to (even with my limited knowledge), as luck would have it i've managed to track down (searching through some other threads from a year or so ago) one for 185 which i'm quite happy with at Volks Factory.

Certainly pays to ring around. =/

Edit: Out of curiosity, what would be the best way to go about learning to fit one for future reference, just grab a workshop manual and wing it?

[h100vw]

Michelle, there's lots of handy folk on here. Some in the trade like Matt and Jimmymac. Others that have been around VWs for years like myself. I live in Flagstaff and you're welcome to PM me for info any time if you cannot find it elsewhere.

No one is going to knock you for trying to save a few bucks. A grand for a starter is pretty hefty but is probably reconditioned for that money. Labour would be less than an hour to fit it.

The manual isn't a bad place to start for learning to do stuff yourself.

Cheers

Gavin

The battery is OK? Will it jump start or bump start? Is the engine earth OK? There's only a couple of bolts and a couple of wires to fit one.

[Jmac]

BAck in the day these were around $1000 from Dub but as Loon says there are a lot around now and i would jump at his offer. They are common on Polo to fail.
Good luck
Jmac

[Bug_racer]

If its auto they are a pain to fit !

[Jmac]

Aye!!!!!!! Good chance it is an auto too

[h100vw]

Sounds like a manual. Someone contacted me through ebay about my Audi starter. Can't be more than 1 broken starter on a 97 Polo within 3 miles of my house.

Gavin

[Jmac]

Ah well they are not too bad to do.

[Gigitt]

If its auto they are a pain to fit !

Yep... I did my Mums Starter 2 months ago!

In an Auto Polo (6n) the Starter is found between the engine and firewall about halfway up the engine.

Stick your car on Ramps and get under it.
You will be under it for a while so put down some cardboard or a old blanket.

You can do it but you will be flying a bit blind and have you use your spidey feelling snece to undo/redo up the bolts.
(from memory) 3 bolts, 13mm and you have to use combination of ring spanner, sockets with long+short extensions just to get the handle in a space so you can use it.
The Biggest pain was undoing the electrical clip. As you hands are in an awkward position to squeese and pull.

Best to do this while the car is not hot or warm.
You will touching engine bits.

[Jmac]

Yeah with the hot engine you will leave half your hand in there hehehe.
Jmac