This is the history of my starter motor problems - and the eventual solution.It began with my conversion to the EJ25 Subaru motor in 2000 I suppose, as although the original VW starter did the job for about 5 years, the 10:1 compression ratio began to make starting an occasional problem, particularly when the motor was hot and/ or if the battery was not fully charged.
So the first solution was to fit a second battery in parallel, which help a bit.
Also a remote starter relay, new starter pinion bearing, replace the starter motor solenoid - but these were not the complete answer, as often with a hot motor I would have to wait 10 mins or more for it to cool and then the starter would spin the motor easily.
Then I saw on the GoWesty site the reason for my troubles. They said these starters, with increasing age, had windings that develop high resistance when hot and that there were no new motors to replace them, only refurbished, which used the original windings.
Their solution was to develop a gear reduction starter to replace the old starter.
Whoopee I said and ordered one - about $500 AUD - ouch, but I was getting pissed off at the constant hassle of explaining to passengers that they just have to be patient.
This was in June 2015, but I was delayed in fitting it till November when found to my horror that yes it turned the motor over happily, but at about half the speed of the old VW starter, and would only start the motor on a warm day! Then I read the fine print - that Gowesty only recommended them for VW engines - not guaranteed for other motors! Fitted back the old VW starter.
Then I saw that CAE Performance Products in Castlemaine made a HiTorque starter that fitted the Syncro, so I rang them to enquire. Yes, this was the answer to my problems, plenty of people use them with Subaru motors in sandrails, aircraft etc. Now this looked very similar to the Gowesty product but I was assured at 1.9 HP, it was plenty strong enough. The Gowesty starter fitted in my syncro with the terminal of the motor facing down, which seem a recipe for trouble, so I got CAE to reverse the terminal so that it was protected, facing up - another $90, but hell lets do it right!
So I fit this starter last month, turn the key, bugger, bugger, bugger - it turns the motor happily but also again at half speed!!! Won't even start in this cold weather!
So much more trolling the net - the answer it seem is a VW TDI starter from 96 - 2003 manual Golf with an adaptor from Karl Mullendore in USA.
These starters are rare in Aust so I buy one from Germany $126AUD (wrecker here wanted $350) and the adaptor $153 AUD
I fitted it 2 days ago - wow spins the motor faster than it has ever spun and with less battery draw - my starting troubles are over!!
I now have the Gowesty and the CAE starter for sale - fine for VW syncros, but not diesel or subaru! I'd like $350 each as they are almost new, but I'm open to offers
Bob Turnbull
This is the history of my starter motor problems - and the eventual solution.
This is the
history of my starter motor problems - and the eventual
solution.
