Good morning, I'm new here to the forum. I've owned this 96 GTI for 2 years and haven't had any problems with it. I put a fresh battery in and it is charged, 12.6v. Sometimes the starter engages, most often it does nothing. When it does engage, it does not continue.
My start switch proves good everytime. Although at times, the solenoid will not energize. So there is that.
To remove the solenoid from the equation, I can short across the solenoid points to send 12v directly to the starter. The starter will engage but only for a second or two. And after that it will not engage at all at least for about a minute. I removed the starter and with it uninstalled from the block, it will run and operate every time. I can use my fingers inside the opening for the starter and move the flywheel. What's up with the solenoid, what's up with the starter?
My start switch proves good everytime. Although at times, the solenoid will not energize. So there is that.
To remove the solenoid from the equation, I can short across the solenoid points to send 12v directly to the starter. The starter will engage but only for a second or two. And after that it will not engage at all at least for about a minute. I removed the starter and with it uninstalled from the block, it will run and operate every time. I can use my fingers inside the opening for the starter and move the flywheel. What's up with the solenoid, what's up with the starter?