Date:         Mon, 5 Sep 2005 23:38:41 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis <guskersthecat@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis <guskersthecat@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Vanagon Starter - windings available?

The saga of my 90 Westy starter continues.  You'll laugh, I cry.  Really,
I'm just P'd off.

1.  Starter rebuilt in prep for engine conversion.  Seemed to be cranking
slowly.  About $175.

2.  After a year in project status, engine installed, newly "rebuilt"
starter fails to engage 100% of the time.  When visiting the rebuilder,
found that he had retired and closed business.

3.  Starter goes to Bosch authorized dealer for check...they test OK.

4.  Starter back to same, replace solenoid, charge $80, problem the same.

5.  Starter back again, but I insisted they replace final drive.  They do
so, $150.  Starter works fine but....

Starter seems to be cranking engine over a bit slow and now stopping dead
after a few second crank.  Diagnosed starter draw at 620 amps...about 450
amps more than it should.  So now the stator and or windings will need to be
looked at.  I could just buy Gowesty's ND starter...or have another go at my
Bosch.

The question is, are windings replaceable in these starters?  If so, are
they available?  At this point I have a $400 CAN starter that draws 620
amps.  I'm truly wondering at this point what a "rebuilt" starter actually
is.  Apparently it's whatever the rebuilder decides to replace.