[Atlantonius the IInd]

STORY : well, if you guys have any other theories as to why i've gone through 2 starters in 2 months, i'd much appreciate it. from what i can tell, this is what happened to me the other night:
the starter engauged while i was driving the car and began to burn itself out. then the starter began knocking against the flywheel causing awful grinding sounds. it also managed to drain my battery dry.
so, when i took the starter out this morning, i pulled it open and the starter stinks (burnt).
SO, the only thing i can think of is that my ignition switch (i had help from more than a few people to come to this conclusion) is fried or something causing the starter to engauge while the car is running. i'm going to be heading over to the VW dealer to pick up a new switch for 30 CDN, but i needed help as to exactly how to install it since it requires me to take the whole steering column off. how hard is this installation to do? should i even attempt it?
VW wants 105 for labor if they were to do it. i'd probably spend 150 at the dealership for them to replace it, and i really need money right now.
if you guys have any other ideas as to what else may be causing this problem, or if i should replace anything while i'm working on my car (wiring or whatever) plez chime in. thanks a bunch for your help.
PS, i won't have a replacement starter until Tuesday, so i'll be stuck here =(.

 

[Numbersix]

Re: Ignition switch. installation plez help. (Atlantonius the IInd)

Check out this link: http://www.4130products.com/step/ign/
(and props to the site owner for the great step by step pics!)

 

[lotus7]

Re: Ignition switch. installation plez help. (Atlantonius the IInd)

If two starters have been chewed up, it might be flywheel time.

 

[Electron Man]

Re: Ignition switch. installation plez help. (Atlantonius the IInd)

Depending on your VIN, you may need a special puller to remove a collar before the ignition switch can be removed. If your steering column looks similar to what's shown on the 4130 site, it's a fairly easy job.
Here's hoping your car does not have that damn metal collar on the steering column shaft above the ignition switch. If it does, you'll have to make a puller (I made one out of a battery terminal puller and a dremel) or have the dealer do the replacement.

 

[Atlantonius the IInd]

Re: Ignition switch. installation plez help. (Electron Man)

yeah, i just checked and i have the easy ignition switch

. i'll try one more starter after i replace the ignition switch and if i chew up another starter, then i'll have to look into a new flywheel?? anyhow, thanks everyone.

 

[Broke]

Re: Ignition switch. installation plez help. (Atlantonius the IInd)

I think they are saying if you toasted 2 starters like that, then they may have damaged the flywheel as well. Not that the flywheel is the problem, but it might need replaced.
Have a friend turn the engine over by hand with a 19mm socket on the crank pulley (looking at it from the passenger side, turn it clockwise), while you watch the flywheel through the timing hole in the tranny case. Check for chipped, bent, or broken teeth on the flywheel.
If they are all OK, no need for a flywheel.
Broke

 

[Atlantonius the IInd]

Re: Ignition switch. installation plez help. (Broke)

wheres the crank pulley? i definetly want to check this out now that you told me a way to check the flywheel w/o taking the tranny or casing off. thanks again!

 

[Broke]

Re: Ignition switch. installation plez help. (Atlantonius the IInd)

Passenger side of the engine, very bottom pulley

It'll have 4 allen head bolts in the middle of it, then a big 19mm bolt right in the center. It is the bottom gear your timing belt slips onto...you can turn that with a 19mm without removing anything.
While it is being turned (fairly slowly, so you can see the flywheel), look through the timing check hole in the tranny housing, and check the teeth.
Broke

 

[Atlantonius the IInd]

Re: Ignition switch. installation plez help. (Atlantonius the IInd)

I was wrong, even though the dealer told me that i had the easy one, i have the damn metal collar.
anyone have suggestions on how to take it out? thanks.

 

[Atlantonius the IInd]

Re: Ignition switch. installation plez help. (Atlantonius the IInd)

nm, thanks all i just went to the dealer and had them take it out and throw the switch i bought in. figured if the starter goes again, i've got proof that it had to be the starter and not my car since vw fixed the only other problem (the ignition switch) it could be. plus, they only charged my 40 CDN labor for doing it, which is really really really awsome. i have yet to have a bad exp at Crosy , he local VW dealership, here in Kitchener/ Waterloo, Ontario.