Starter / Selinoid / Starter Button

[PBFITZ]

2003 GTI LE

Brand New Battery

When I press the starter button (which has given me a shock once or twice in the past) the Starter Kicks in but only for a second - stops, then kicks in again for a second - stops, then kicks in for a second - stops.
I thought it was the starter selinoid - so I jumped the terminals - starter kicks in and holds fine. Guessed it was the starter selinoid - just put in a new one....same thing - kicks in and out with the starter button.

Anyone know how to test the starter button without pulling it appart?

Or have any other suggestions as to the problem?

Thanks

 

[bmocken]

By any chance did you recharge the battery after all those tests? Even if it's a new battery it can be low after all those starts. Just did this on a 97 gti and we had to charge the battery.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Unplug it and test it for continuity. Based on jumping the solenoid and then replacing it,, I would think it is the starter button..

 

[PBFITZ]

Should have said - the ski is on a stand and I have a deep cycle heavy duty jumped to the ski as well due to the testing / extra cranking. I have plenty of amps/voltage.
Ok thanks for the input... will be breaking out the switch tonight. Will post the results.

 

[PBFITZ]

Not the switch ... Spliced in a jumper.... same thing... Starting to guess myself now... makes no sense..

 

[Coastiejoe]

Ok,,, lets figure this out..
If you jump the solenoid it cranks fine.
So, lets artificially energize the solenoid. Take a hopper wire from the HOT side of the solenoid and touch the trigger wire terminal. Does it crank fine or not?
If fine, then it is in the switch, MPEM or a connection issue. If it does not crank fine, replace the solenoid again as it is defective. My guess is that it will crank fine. So the nest thing to test is, the volts at the trigger wire from the switch at the solenoid.

Post what you find...

 

[Coastiejoe]

Ok,,, lets figure this out..
If you jump the solenoid it cranks fine.
So, lets artificially energize the solenoid. Take a hopper wire from the HOT side of the solenoid and touch the trigger wire terminal. Does it crank fine or not?
If fine, then it is in the switch, MPEM or a connection issue. If it does not crank fine, replace the solenoid again as it is defective. My guess is that it will crank fine. So the nest thing to test is, the volts at the trigger wire from the switch at the solenoid.

Post what you find...

 

[PBFITZ]

Just saw your post and will do - later this afternoon.

Have this short video to show the symptoms[video=youtube_share;ChdkRQkkuQU]http://youtu.be/ChdkRQkkuQU[/video]

 

[Strizzo]

sounds like your voltage is dropping when the starter takes the load and the MPEM isn't able to maintain voltage to the solenoid trigger. check voltage at the solenoid while trying to crank. even if the battery is good, it could be a poor connection between the battery and the solenoid/mpem.

 

[PBFITZ]

Jumped 12v to Starter Solenoid switch side and starter kicks in and holds. Checked the voltage at the end of the solenoid switch wire (disconnected from Starter Solenoid) Solid 12v with S/S switch activated. Reconnected to Starter Solenoid and spliced in to wire and checked voltage, 2V kicking in and out under starter load. So this is the problem..... the question now is.. how to repair? Any advice?

 

[Strizzo]

clean the ground connections between the battery and at the starter, as well as in the e-box. also check for corrosion or loose connections in the positive side.

 

[PBFITZ]

FIXED!!!

This was the loose wire.... ready for some dielectric grease and a lock washer!! Thank you forum for helping me get back in the water!!