starter problem? 89 Fox

do a voltage drop test on both battery cables from battery to starter and battery to engine ground.

Yeah check that large ground cable end at the transmission.

AND did you use a KNOWN good starter? New, rebuilt or used? Does the engine turn over by hand?

Insure your battery is good, turn the key to run - turn on all headlights and blow the horn. If the lights dim or go out then the battery is low. I know you said jumping didn't help but sometimes jumper cables fail. If the battery is good - using a jumper cable from the negative terminal of the battery to the engine block will check if the engine ground to battery is at fault. After that the only thing left is the big wire from battery positive to the starter. Assuming the clicking you are heraing is the starter solenoid engaging.

Automatic or manual ? In Park/neutral?

"Detailing Dude" wrote in news:2m6Th.72329$ snipped-for-privacy@newsfe21.lga: Its a 4 speed manual. I had to get somebody to push me at work to get it started to get it home. I tried a new ground with the jumper cables, but it didn't work. Its a rebuilt starter from Auto Zone, could be a bad starter too. Cost about 115. I'll look at it more tomorrow, its raining here in Virginia.

thanks

positive

OK what brand is that starter? Duralast? Are they any good for the VWs? I think I prefer Bosch starters and they can be sold at stores like Murrays Discount and others.

I have heard the starters from Pep Boys are pretty good, at least for the '90 Jetta auto.

Its probably cheap junk, rebuilt in china probably. I've put at least 2 starters on this car in the last

"dave AKA vwdoc1" wrote in news:_7fTh.7804$ snipped-for-privacy@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net:

jumper

area.

Well my fellow VW enthusiast: I finally cracked the case. This moron of a mechanic had the 2 wires on the selonoid backwards..... switched the wires and she took off like a jet... Thanks guys....

Kevin wrote in news:Xns990FD63A2A47Ekevins7attnet@

stores

because

cables