How to test, fix or replace starter motor VW Golf Mk4

Clear and detailed video how to replace, test or possibly fix starter motor on Volkswagen Golf mark IV, 1.9tdi
Here's the link to description with images, tightening torques etc. (Also available in printable format):
www.wheelsandmotors.com/manua...
www.WheelsAndMotors.com - free online car manuals.

[@curtisstever]

The best auto repair video I have watched. Very detailed and clear explained. Thank you for sharing.

[@wawayltd]

You're welcome 👍

[@MightyNib]

I am back watching this video again, with a starter problem on my 2nd MK4. Once again, great quality and very helpful!

[@wawayltd]

Welcome back! 😎👍

[@tdilly8530]

honestly best video and explanation I ever seen

[@wawayltd]

Thanks :)

[@395suzy]

I agree with you. Well done 👍

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Suzy

[@adamclarke5531]

Hi ya just thought I’d let you know, you saved my much loved golf from the scrap yard. She has covered 213,000 miles and I thought she had given up the ghost until something was nagging me to go on line and be sure . I found you and she’s back on the road for £88.00 a new starter . Thank you for your help and expertise .👍👍🙏🏻

[@wawayltd]

Adam, you're very welcome 👍 I'm glad she's back to life ⭐

[@kylerichardson8619]

Excellent video, very well explained, easy to follow and a great help!

[@wawayltd]

You're very welcome 👍 Glad if it helps.

[@ekimgb69]

Great video. I was going to just buy a starter right away but after watching this I am definitely going to go though the tests. Thanks!

[@wawayltd]

You're very welcome 👍 Hope it helps.

[@juanitoherrera7338]

so far the best,,,like a university,,you are a excellent tutor,,,thanks.

[@wawayltd]

It's just not as complicated as it may seem initially 😊

[@jameshbq]

You can't dream something more clear than that exolanation!

[@wawayltd]

Thanks :)

[@dillonmcpherson6208]

You sir have earned a like and sub helped me solve my no crank no start. Had a bad connection between motor and solenoid. Just had to sand it down and re connect.

[@wawayltd]

Nice to know that it helps 🌻

[@watchman316ly]

Thank you so much WheelsAndMotors for posting this video! The most thorough video of all by far. I can tell the person was very knowledgeable with the the starter's function and importance to the ignition of a car. I gain a lot information from it. All the other videos were not helpful at all.

[@wawayltd]

watchman316ly Thank you :) Glad if it helps!

[@kristianallen4831]

I've been working on my own Golfs for years and this gent has saved me £1000's my cars only worth a few quid but much loved so cheer's.

[@wawayltd]

Thank you Kristian 😊👍

[@peterclayton834]

Nice step by step instructions for removal and testing

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Peter 😷👍

[@macmccracken2519]

Thanks man, helped me take mine out and bring it to a shop to have it rebuilt for cheap and it works like a charm!

[@wawayltd]

You're welcome 👍

[@jakecole3072]

Great video as always mate. Thanks very much - replaced my starter today and works a treat. Thanks for showing how to bench test also!

[@wawayltd]

You're welcome 😎🍺

[@Littlebudda12321]

Again astonished whats all shown for the Golf!

[@wawayltd]

You're very welcome Mr Little Budda 😇

[@ACreativeFamily]

this is the most informative to the point tutorial ever. I actually feel confident I can do this. thank you.

[@wawayltd]

You're very welcome :) Glad, if it helps!

[@ACreativeFamily]

as an update I did remove it. when I took it out sludge was clogging up the housing. although the starter gear was stuck out. but I did it and it didn't take all day.

[@chastheplumber]

Great video, saved me a stack of money today 👍🏼

[@wawayltd]

Glad I could help

[@alandeacon1988]

Very comprehensively explained. Thanks :)

[@wawayltd]

Alan, you're welcome 👍

[@yourmate7419]

Thankyou so much for this video, just finished replacing my starter motor and this helped alot!

[@wawayltd]

You're welcome 👍

[@Mk4twoG]

Very useful video. I tested my starter only by bridging the nut and bolt only spinning the motor making me believe the solenoid is bad but I will check tomorrow going through the connector instead. Thanks for the video

[@wawayltd]

You're very welcome 👍

[@williamcox2996]

EXCELLENT video...superb teaching as well....great job and thanks...i also have a dead tdi 1.9...no crank, no start..

[@wawayltd]

Thanks William! I hope your 1.9tdi will have a good life. They are good engines.

[@GATsmoka]

Don't know if I like the video or your accent more. Nice video Sir!

[@wawayltd]

Thank you very much Joshua :)

[@antoniocosta9685]

Perfect explanations ! Very useful for me. Thanks a lot from France !

[@wawayltd]

Très bienvenu de la part d'un letton qui vit au Royaume-Uni ... Et j'espère pouvoir traverser votre pays en voiture en été pour rendre visite à mes parents. 😉

[@EndlessShots]

Thank you so much, very useful, you make it very clear to understand!

[@wawayltd]

Tomas, you're very welcome 👍

[@DreiGhost]

Very good explanation

[@wawayltd]

Thank You very much! 👍 And Merry Christmas! 🌲🎉

[@pitbullxl2606]

Good video tnx! Starters get gunked up so if its malfunctioning an internal cleanup can do wonders. Next to the brushplate the golden bearing is usually also availible. Taking it apart is not difficult.

[@wawayltd]

Good to know, thanks 👍

[@muslimmurtazaliyev2942]

Thank you for this detailed and well explained video

[@wawayltd]

You're welcome 👍

[@jesse5694]

Great video, very skillful mechanic and excellent teacher. Also funny (“If you know some incredible specialist who will do it for free, (then try fix the motor)…” rotf

[@wawayltd]

Thanks 🤓

[@getdph]

Awesome video..very detailed I should be able to attempt the repair after watching this video GREAT JOB !!!

[@wawayltd]

Thanks 😊

[@danielcroft7653]

Thanks for doing the video, really useful

[@wawayltd]

You're very welcome 👍

[@xv8852]

No joke the best and most detailed video for this out there, thanks!

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Xavier :)

[@rodolfoplasencia4953]

You just super earned a subscriber! Thank you brother!

[@wawayltd]

You're welcome 👍

[@taavisveafigol9083]

Thanks. Did it with bora mk4. Everything was done under the hood. Thanks a lot.

[@wawayltd]

You're very welcome 👍

[@dodsjanne]

Best complete video! Thanks

[@wawayltd]

Thanks 😊

[@jeangayrard7893]

Great video, thank you so much :) The diagnosis and the how it works portion was spot on!

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Jean 😊

[@darrenjolly9309]

Very good mechanic explains very well

[@wawayltd]

Thanks 😊

[@johnpurcell9407]

Excellent video very helpful. Very valuable resource nicely presented.

[@wawayltd]

Thanks John 👍

[@wanakapanda1549]

This is a nice explanation sir.. Keep good work

[@wawayltd]

Thanks 😊

[@deividas3019]

best video i seen in a months

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Deividas! 😎👍

[@davidbillyard6629]

Great tutorial-very clear and easy for the average diy person to understand..

[@wawayltd]

Thank you :) There will be more.

[@donbrindle2177]

thank you so much, saved me a lot of time with this excellent how to, made troubleshooting and repair a snap!

[@wawayltd]

You're very welcome :) Glad if it helps.

[@erniepatai6644]

What a fantastic video..excellent explanation and video clarity.

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Ernie 😊👍

[@stuartwinstanley4949]

Fantastic video,just what I was looking for thankyou

[@wawayltd]

You're welcome, Stuart 👍

[@NewVillage93]

Thank you so much!!! You are my hero!....The problem was in cable in 5:28. It was rust.

[@wawayltd]

You're very welcome :) Glad if it helps.

[@MK-xs4up]

Well explained and documented sir !!!

[@wawayltd]

Thanks 😎👍

[@jimmhb1986]

Great video. Thank you teaching me.

[@wawayltd]

You're welcome 🍺

[@AndImIrish]

Excellent! Very clear and a great help for me.

[@wawayltd]

You're very welcome 👍

[@ciprianradu6641]

It is not often that you find a video tutorial that stays at the point with explanation that you can actually understand and really use. Yours is one of the few. Thank you very much it helped me a lot. I have one question. Is it possible to replace just the small wire that connects the solenoid and the motor?

[@wawayltd]

Thanks :) Why wire? Do you think it's faulty? I haven't done it before. I believe that it's possible, just need to see where it's going at the back to see how disconnect it. Would be interesting to know how you getting on..

[@ciprianradu6641]

​@@wawayltd The cable is visibly broken. I assume it is linked to the brush plate but I am not sure for now. The car was not used over the winter. Cranking after this was visibly more difficult than it used to be. Nevertheless, it worked for a week and then during cranking it just died, no click, no sounds, no significant lights in the dashboard. In the mean time I discovered that the solenoid is also dead, so I am considering changing the entire assembly. It is just strange to me that both the solenoid and the wire failed in the same moment. If you have any advise to spare , it would be welcomed.

[@wawayltd]

@@ciprianradu6641 These starter motors are not expensive. On eBay you can buy refurbished with 12 months warranty for 60 pounds, and simply used from scrapyard for like 20. I suppose it's about how you value your time. Personally, I would just get another one instead of trying to repair it, especially as you say if there seem to be few faults. Unless you have lots of time and find it interesting tinkering with it.. All depends on your situation.

[@ciprianradu6641]

@@wawayltd My thinking goes along the same lines. I will buy a complete assembly, change it and when I will find some hours I will open the old one for "educational purposes". Thanks a lot for taking the time and support me on this. Have a happy Easter !

[@otarsulava]

Helpful video! Thank you for uploading 👍✌️

[@wawayltd]

You're very welcome 😊

[@MbrBuy]

Good video, many thanks. I did notice that when you removed the battery it's position was swapped round so terminal positions changed?

[@wawayltd]

I think I replaced the battery with the new one and it had a different terminal setup.

[@jlr4702]

@13:52 "Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Starter Motor"...I actually laughed...not only informative, but also very entertaining--thank you Valdis!

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Lorenzo :)

[@ke6bnl]

nice job on explaining the whole job on testing and removal

[@wawayltd]

+Ed Ginsberg Thank you :) there will be more.

[@myth1kal]

This really is the most detailed and clearly explained part repair/replacement video I have come across. I will definitely be sharing it. Thank you! Is starting trouble only when it is humid outside a typical problem that occurs with aging starter motors? Thanks again!

[@wawayltd]

Thanks :) Sometimes connections get rusty and cause problems..

[@rafiamanyar4390]

Very helpful and detailed explanation...gr8 many thanks

[@wawayltd]

Thank you :) There will be more.

[@jordynnanderson4964]

Installed it in 5 minutes. Great tutorial

[@wawayltd]

5 minutes is impressive time.. You should work for Formula 1 :)

[@arnoldkul3827]

Thx man, perfect tutorial and easy to follow. Cheers from Slovenia :)

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Teo 👍

[@keithbosch37]

Thank you!, Very informative!.

[@wawayltd]

You're welcome 👍

[@jimosullivan1389]

Thanks.very well done. A great help.

[@wawayltd]

You're welcome 👍

[@GeoffreyOwenMiller]

You have made my day. Thank you. subscribed and liked.

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Geoffrey 😷👍

[@obecas]

Very nice, real detailed, help a lot. Well done and thank you very much!

[@wawayltd]

Thanks :)

[@terryboyle7476]

Great video and info you explain things simply and easy to follow look forward to more thanks

[@wawayltd]

thanks Terry :)

[@napper1496]

Very good video mate

[@wawayltd]

Thank you very much!

[@binagarten4667]

Excellently explained!

[@wawayltd]

Thanks 😷👍

[@conorotoole8325]

Excellent video, thank you. Very informative. Was just going to buy the whole starter motor, but will check the solanoid first and maybe save some $

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Conor :)

[@paulinesheafer3606]

very well explained, Thanks

[@wawayltd]

Glad if it helps 😊

[@ophirlevi]

great videos, the best explanation on the web

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Ophir :)

[@maini51]

Thanks great video explains everything

[@ShahidHussain-dh1yj]

Excellent Demonstration!!!

[@wawayltd]

Thanks 😊👍

[@michaelbruce3893]

Your video was very helpful, thank you!

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Michael, glad if it helps :)

that was really helpful! thanks!

[@wawayltd]

Thanks for watching Jean 😊

[@lillybeanincworkflow9360]

Awesome video about to tackle mine

[@wawayltd]

Glad if it helps 😊👍

[@andrepereira8125]

Great Video and very informative. good camera work too!

[@wawayltd]

Thank you :)

[@davebevington2090]

Great video, very nice explanation, it saved me a lot of time

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Dave :)

[@robinsunenergy]

at 6:37 the wire is exposed too. Great video!!

[@wawayltd]

Good point. Thanks 👍

[@michaelkey7135]

Best video ever. U didn't tell how man evolved from apps an what came first the chick or the egg. U talk about the starter an nothing else. Other videos they be talk a whole bunch of #@$& that I could give two rat #$@&* about for twenty minutes an the could have explained it five minutes. Big thumbs up. Thank you.

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Michael :)

[@coastlinesailingcruisingan3991]

very good video. thank you.

[@wawayltd]

You're welcome 👍

[@estannyboy]

Thank You great information!!!

[@wawayltd]

You're welcome 👍

[@williamcox2996]

after removing the starter...it was fine,,,tested good....my issue was a worn out ignition switch.

[@bebevlad3674]

Beautiful work! Thanks! Maybe you have a video with what inside a starter and how to change all of whats inside?

[@wawayltd]

No, I don't - sorry :(

[@little_brat.]

Hello Sir - first of all awesome job with your videos! I know it's quite old one, and a bit long shot, but any tips for starter motor sneeze? I took it out, put some grease to the planetary gears, but it did not help.. Thanks in advance!

[@wawayltd]

Sorry, had to Goggle what "starter motor sneeze" is. I don't think I know more than you do...

[@little_brat.]

@@wawayltd No worries at all and a huge thank you for your answer!

[@tayyababbas349]

Great vedio. Informative video

[@wawayltd]

Thanks 👍

[@thomaswoodward5084]

Cheers mate, lost my Haynes manual and thought id have to pull it from underneath!

[@wawayltd]

You're very welcome Thomas :)

[@DJ_Andreas]

Thank you for all the good explanations!

[@wawayltd]

You're welcome :)

[@PP-pi7li]

Excellent vidéo, thank you

[@wawayltd]

Thanks 😊

[@EnglishLaw]

4:20 I am curious what that connector is with the red and brown wires. The reason is that I have a 1.8T with those 2 wires going no where. I am not sure if I have pulled them off something whilst removing the plastic cover, or if they are just an unused part of the loom. Excellent and useful video by the way. Thanks.

[@wawayltd]

I don't have that car for a while. It looks to me that it costs be a connector for reverse light switch. But for some reason, at different angle. I have a video about reverse light switch, could that be it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3XWgHp8orVkhrM

[@EnglishLaw]

@@wawayltd You Sir are a Gentleman. Many thanks for your kind reply. Yes that explains why I have no reversing lights. I've actually never had reversing lights working since I've had the car, and now I know why. Best wishes.

[@wawayltd]

Nice one 👍

[@GeordiLaForgery]

Amazing thanks for sharing knowledge. Mine cranks first time but then fails to crank when engine is hot after a long drive, I think it could be the starter.

[@wawayltd]

Thanks :) Hope it helps.

[@pipatp1288]

Its a nice vdo thank you!

[@wawayltd]

You're very welcome 👍

[@Munyabrwn]

Great video

[@wawayltd]

Thanks 😊

[@EvoLAtiR]

Why did the battery changed positions while you were removing it? First the terminals were facing the bumper and then there is a cut in the video and the terminals are facing the interior of the car.

[@wawayltd]

I don't remember much from time when I was filming it.. I think I could replace battery with another one, because old one was rubbish. And that new battery had different terminal layout.

[@PMFOgmailcomDanielHoffman]

thank you very much you did a great job explaining everything thank you👍👍👍👍

[@wawayltd]

You're very welcome :) There will be more...

[@MightyNib]

This guy is amazing. Thank you!!!

[@wawayltd]

Thank you 😊

[@maxalfredjoelasemoule3993]

clear and well orgaznized. Cheers !

[@wawayltd]

Thanks 😊

[@harryfahrenholz8088]

Very good video - Thank you

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Harry 😊👍

[@tommysteel2844]

Great video very well explained , keep it up.

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Tommy :) I'll do my best.

[@maini51]

Thanks well explained

[@wawayltd]

You're very welcome 👍

[@babelonchabalala1690]

Thanks. Best explaination i ever seen for starter testing. ...just one question....i have same car and want to know how many teeth must bendix drive have for this specific vehicle.. My father in law have same car but he replaced with 10 teeth Bendix. I measured flywheel teeth distance against bendix teeth distance and it didn't match, which caused starter not engaging. So i suspect it should be a 8 teeth bendix. Want to ask here before i remove my own starter to double check my theory of the teeth since he has same car as me

[@wawayltd]

I don't have that car for few years now, but if you pause the video somewhere on 20:05 you can see it has 10 teeth. That is 1.9tdi engine, year 1999.

[@babelonchabalala1690]

@@wawayltd thanks for reply...i took out my own starter and it also has 10 teeth...turned out it is the flywheel teeth which is worned out causing slipping of starter and not engaging.....sooooo major headache ahead of a major job removing flywheel :(

[@wawayltd]

Good luck with that one...

[@tomllobet7560]

excellent video, i've subscribed

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Tom 👍

[@samuelkobe]

Just an excellent excellent video. Thank you.

[@wawayltd]

Thanks Samuel 😊👍

[@tietotie6]

Tämä oli hyvä!! Meaning great!

[@wawayltd]

Olet erittäin tervetullut 👍 Onneksi jos se auttaa 😁

[@travisfletcher3038]

What if you replace the starter but it doesn’t engage the flywheel?? I’ve tried 3 different starters. A buddy said something about the timing and compression. Any info would be great. 2004 Vw GLI 1.8t

[@wawayltd]

Some starters may have different sprockets. Make sure that the sprocket on a new starter is tue same as the original. That's the only thing I can think of.