Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Got my hands on another starter motor at the weekend only to find that the solenoid on that one was also dead. Person I got the starter from assures me that it was working fine beforehand and that perhaps the ground is not good enough.

I tried activating the solenoid using jumpleads connected directly to a battery and it would only pull in after being given a helping push and when left on the starter and tried to activate using the jump lead method absolutely nothing happened.

What do you lot reckon? Considering that the solenoid didn't do a lot when directly connected to a battery would it be worth me checking the earthing points or just trying to get hold of a new solenoid?
If chasing the earthing points is worth the bother then where are the main ones that I should check?

I don't think it's likely that a solenoid that doesn't work when directly connected to the negative terminal of a good battery will behave any differently because the route to that negative terminal is through the chassis of the car. Of course you will need good earths to make a good solenoid work, but unless there is some reason to suspect a bad earth can cause a solenoid to fail it would be coincidental that the earth and the solenoid are bad.

In that case, where can I get a new solenoid from? Can't find anybody that will supply just the solenoid instead of the entire starter.
Tempted to take the solenoid from my VWs starter then buy a new starter for that as it's cheaper.

Sounds like a plan, or buy a VW one and just fit the solenoid to the 944. I have never looked for just a solenoid I'm afraid.

My solenoid stuck on mine and all i did was take the plunger out clean and re-grease it and its worked fine ever since (about 8 years)

I'd take it to a refurbisher TBH, it won't cost a lot to get it overhauled & then it'll be reliable for the winter.

Had it in pieces and greased up but it just won't pull the plunger unless it is pushed in enough to mean that the starter gear would be almost engaged anyway.



I think I know of one in the area, they refurbed an alternator for me in the past. Just seems strange that both starters I have tried both have pathetic solenoids.

I think it is the heat that kills them as they are mounted very close to the exhaust.

The one on my 968 has been replaced by an auto electrician and the cost was less than £40, he also renewed the brushes on the motor while he was on.

Just been asked to pay the deposit on a flat I'm trying to get at the moment so looks like the starter might have to wait for a bit.
That's a shame as the only thing I can do on the other car requires money and some people are coming down for drinks this weekend, damn their timing!

Will have a word with the local refurb place and see what they can do at least.

ETA: Just spoke to them on the phone and they can supply me with just a solenoid to keep the costs down. Pretty sure that's what he said through the thick westcountry accent, bay.

Olroit moi luvver?

Funny this has cropped up. I had real issues with the starter on my S earlier this year.
It gave up completely - so had it reconned. Managed to split the solenoid cap refitting - d'oh so had to get another.
This solenoid then wouldn't work - couldn't quite believe my luck.
The supplying factors asked for the whole starter to check and yes it didn't work and neither would the second one they had. They smelt a rat so sent the whole thing off to a auto spark who managed to get it all to work together. There is something odd about testing a solenoid off the car. However I don't know what it is!
Unfortunatley the bills went with the car when I sold it only a month back but if you are stuck I can find the number of where I got it from. They should be able to tell you where they got it from so you could get one a bit closer to you.
The solenoid was only £30 or so.

Starter motor itself works fine as if given a crack with a hammer whilst turning the key it'll turn the engine over but that's hardly ideal as it requires having a person under your car whenever you want to start it.

Was hoping the solenoid off another starter would solve my issue but the replacement (which was off a 924) did the same thing. Going to take the whole starter to this place and see if they'll stick it on and test it for me before going through the hassle of climbing under the car and trying to squeeze it back on yet again.

hi i plan on using thermal exhaust wrap on my down pipe to protect starter motor it kills heat by 40% i used it on autocross cars when i raced them worked wonders (1986 vw polo saab 900 200 bhp mid mounted ) handy tip also aluminium is a poor conductor try an earth strap to one of starter bolts then to car body , exhaust heat is murder on starter windings to test connect up and if starter trys to slowly turn without solenoid energised it is shorting in windings .

TBH honest the starter on the 944 is in a cool area. A reasonable distance from the exhaust. On the TR7 it was very close.
Good point about the earthing though, the battery is a looong way from the starter & the earth lead from the battery.

If you look at where it is it's pretty close to the road. My solenoid was full of water. Pulled it to bits & covered it with silicon grease to water proof it, & it's worked perfectly ever since. So long as theres lots of carbon on the brushes it probably only needs cleaning.