Alright so, within the last couple of days my starter just sounds weaker... I think it starts just as fast as it used to but it sounds like its just barely making enough power to turn over the engine. I have two questions, first: How hard is it to change the starter (thought id ask real quick before I fire up XP mode to look at my service manual, and I dont remember seeing a writeup), and I remember reading in the owners manual not to start the car by popping the clutch at a roll. Any thoughts on that, I did try it once and it worked it just started after a loud bang. If my starter goes out is that something I can do or I should avoid. Thanks

 

It's pretty easy to change with the car on jackstands. If your a manual aeb, I have an extra starter if you need. Search on Google and you'll probably find a diy. Passats are the same FYI.

 

I am a manual AEB, ill prolly let it go until it stops working, but when I decide to do it Ill let you know about that starter. I searched google and didnt find much but I can look it up in my service manual too, thanks.

 

Also, what you're talking about "starting it from a roll" is what's called "Push Starting" It's not particurally good for your car, but it's not going to kill it to do it a few times. It's more just a pain in the *** than anything.

 

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=287961
Scroll down and you see a diy

 

Is also called Bump Starting.


All your doing is using the transmission to spin the flywheel to get the motor started instead of the starter. No difference other then the transmission takes a quick hit as the engine tries to slow it down. But thats why it is done in 2nd or 3rd gear since the car is rolling slower then those gears once the motor is started.

 

Thanks for the link and the info guys.. Ill let you know faster if I need the starter, Ill wait till it stops working all together I think, because it isnt bad at all now it just sounds a little weaker.

 

Have you looked to see what the voltage is when trying to start the car? If the voltage is low it will take much longer to start the car and the starter might sound weaker.

Another member here just replaced his alt and that ended up fixing a lean issue he had been having. Changed it and the ecu stopped throwing lean codes and that is because his voltage was not nearly as strong as it needed to be while the car was running.

 

Yeah I had thought about that too, my battery is a year old, and the volt meter reads about 14 volts when im driving, but if it continues to sound weak Ill keep that in mind.