I have a 1995 Jetta GLS. Sometimes when I try to start the car I just get a whirring noise instead of the usual turn over sound and engine start. It sounds like it's just not firing or the starter might be out. I am pretty mechanically inclined and can probably change or fix whatever needs to be fixed but I don't want to pay the money to have somebody try to diagnose it for me. although that might be the best option, only it doesn't do it all the time. It's getting worse and I need to get it fixed now.

Other then the starter what can it be? Can the spark plugs cause this if they aren't firing? I am leaning towards the starter just not turing over but I am not sure. Again it's a whirring noise or a winding one if you will. usually when it starts it's kind of a rapid stutter sound and then it starts. This is just consistent. also when this happens I can release the clutch completely with the car in gear and it doesn't leap at all.

Hope somebody can help. Thanks

 

Sounds like you are saying the starter is turning, but is not turning the engine. And while the starter is turning, the bendix will finally kick out and after grinding on the teeth on the flywheel, it finally aligns and finally turns the engine, and finally starts. You could remove the starter and have it checked for free at a auto parts store like NAPA. You will need the old starter as a cord charge anyway. Getting the starter out is not a job for the meek. One of the bolts goes through the front motor mount. If you don't support the engine, it wil drop about 2". Scare the crap out of ya. Disconnect the battery. Raise and support the vehicle. Then I use the widowmaker (only time I will ever use it) and a block of wood. Place under the oil pan and use it to support the engine. You may need to raise or lower the engine later to get that bolt back in. The really fun part is when you re-attach the battery when you are finished. Put your key in the doorlock. Connect the battery. The alarm will go off and you may **** your pants. (happens to the best of us. lol) Turning the key, lock-unlock, will turn the alarm off.

 

Ok no go on the starter being bad. Well there might be something but here is what I did today. I took the starter completely off and got it tested. The guy said that the bendix is pushing out and then withdrawing like and when it should. He said the teeth were fine and no damage to them. He also said that it's drawing 200 amps which might be a little high. Most starters pull 150. I am not sure about foreign cars. I then turned the crankshaft bolt to move the fly wheel and inspected it through the hole where the starter goes twice. No damage to the fly wheel. I had my daughter get in and push the clutch repeatedly to make sure nothing was bouncing around in there which would have indicated something loose on the fly wheel or in the wheel housing.

I even went so far as to check all of my ground wires from the negative terminal on the battery to make sure the circuit was completing like it should. I cleaned everything off and put it back together and still the same thing. Is it possible that the bearings are bad and the starter drive isn't engaging. Do they sell those seperately from the starter?

Any suggestions are welcome. PLEASE HELP. I talked to a couple of auto parts guys and even a mechanic and they are all without idea. Stupid Jetta.

 

I'm haveing the exact same problem with my 2003 Jetta GLI. Starter spins but motor doesn't. Checked battery, starter everything looks fine. Anybody got any ideas?

 

Ok so here is what I had to go through. You need to take the start off and check to make sure the bendix (Thing with the teeth) does not rotate counter clockwise. If it does you need a new starter. Then you need to check the teeth on the flywheel and make sure none of them are broken etc. You should also have somebody step on the clutch too and make sure nothing in the wheelhouse is moving around.

If all of those things check out go get the starter checked. Really you could do this yourself but unless you have the tools you won't be able to check the amps it's pulling as well as the cellunoid. They weren't able to test my starter at Auto Zone or Checkers because of the software they had. I had to go to carquest to get it checked. Or you could test it yourself but it's confusing to explain how to do it with the battery and then a wire to run the electricity so I won't.

Then if everything checks out you have two options. You can buy a new starter OR you can take the one you have apart and clean it out really well. I used Carboraeutor (spelling) cleaner and it works pretty well. I am still going to need to buy a new one eventually but this bought me some time.

Good luck.