Date:         Sat, 17 Sep 2005 05:29:57 -0400
Reply-To:     Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon Starter - windings available?
Comments: To: Dennis <guskersthecat@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2005091623322004@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Why didn't you just get a Bosch rebuild from the get-go?  I sell these
all the time and install them for customers.  Maybe I have one a year
that has a problem.  On the other hand I have had customers go to the
local electrical rebuild shops and get their alternators and starters
rebuilt.  They last about a year or less.  The cheaper rebuilds you can
get from Advance Auto, or Auto Zone, you are just rolling the dice on.
They may be good or not.  The Bosch rebuilds are almost 100% great and
the part looks like new when you put it on too.

Just FYI,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com


Dennis wrote:

>At long last the starter saga is over.  To refresh you on this post, I've
>now removed my 90 Vanagon starter five times beginning on it's first visit
>to a rebuilder (now retired), and 4 subsequent visits to the local Bosch
>shop to resolve an issue with the starter not engaging the ring gear
>consistently and a recently discovered issue of 600+ amps of current draw.
>I'm pretty sure the current issue was there from day 1, because I brought
>it in during the engine conversion ... it was cranking slower than typical.
>
>After the initial rebuild (really I just got a broken starter back) I've
>now replaced the solenoid, final drive assembly and a bushing.
>
>As usual, this time the elderly German fellow running the shop (been in the
>business all his life ???) insisted that there was nothing wrong with it.
>They did however replace the internal rear bushing....which he claimed
>really didn't need replacing.  He did suggest that I had an issue with
>engine timing, improper starter alignment, bad battery etc. etc. cuz how
>could it possibly be the starter?  Well I politely kept my mouth shut, took
>two steps to the left, gave up another 30 bucks, and uttered a silent
>prayer.
>
>I popped it back in and lo and behold, small cherubs sang from the rafters
>of my garage, trumpets rang out and maidens wept ... at long last the
>starter engages 100% and spins the crap out of the 2.0 litre I4 attached to
>it.  It started so fast it scared me.
>
>
>