I have a '99 Jetta. When I first got it (used with 77,000 miles) the starter soon started grinding after the car just started. I was told I needed a new starter,
so I bought a rebuilt one and installed it. It worked fine for about a year, then occasionally, usually after a long hot drive (but not always), when I turned the
key, there would be a high whining sound but nothing would happen. I would have to wait a minute or two--now several) for this noise to stop. It would end
with a grinding sound, then I could start the car okay. But last time it did this, it lasted so long it wore down the battery. Mechanics don't want to assume it's
a bad starter; they want to hear the noise before they'll work on it. But it happens so rarely (once out of 50 times, maybe) I doubt they can get it to do it. My
wife and daughter are going on a long trip--I don't want them to get stranded, so I've made an appointment to have the starter replaced. Any ideas on what
else it could be? And how to diagnose it? Car now has 105,000 miles. Thanks much!

 

when was the last tune-up? it might be that your car needs one.. check the fuel pump, ignition module, spark plugs, or see if there is a dirty connection somewhere.. try to clean it.. it would be best to check all your vw jetta parts to see what might be the problem.. good luck and keep us informed regarding this matter..

 

Thanks for the tips--I recently had a tuneup, timing belt replaced and a lot of other stuff. I went ahead and had the starter replaced--the old one tested as a low cranker and the mechanic suspected that it was causing the strange problem, but couldn't guarantee it. It's turning over much faster now at any rate.

 

what motor do you have? i cold help more with that info. being said, what did the tune up consist of?