My 2001 VW Jetta Wolfsberg Edition will be turning 10 years old this year.  I’m trying to keep it on its last legs as long as possible before I let it completely die (hopefully mid-2011).

So back in October, my starter motor started making an appalling sound. Every time I started the car (after it had sat for more than six hours) it made a grinding sound that was comparable to what I guess would be the sound of a duck being stepped on.

I found some great DIY directions at vwvortex.com’s forums: article here.  I just pulled out the starter to clean and re-lubricate it (saved me more than $200 for a new starter motor).  In all took me about 3.5 hours (about 45 minutes of it working on the upper bolt and stud nut… my own stupidity, hence #1 below).

The article is spot on, although there a few things:

  1. Use an 18mm socket, especially if your car is more than 8 years old and it is the original factory installed starter motor.  If you use the open-ended wrench your probably just going to strip the bolt (particularly the top one) or bend the wrench prongs.  It started to on mine, so I just went an got an 18mm socket… got the bolt out like a charm after that (and a cheater bar, thanks to my roommate).
  2. The cable harness/bracket that is attached via the upper stud nut will, at least on the ‘01 Jetta 1.8t WE, will be in your way visually.  you’ll probably need someone else to be your eyes (with a mirror) to guide you while your under the car trying to get the socket on the upper stud nut.

    cable harness

    cable bracket with two purposes: Useless and in the way!

  3. Mechanics gloves will probably save you from your share of cuts on your hands, fingers and knuckles… really, that goes for repairing anything in the engine compartment (e.g. PCV tube and anything behind the radiator)