Well the time has come for me to change the dreaded starter motor me thinks. It's been struggling to start on and off for the last few weeks. I fitted a brand new AGM battery in August and all had been well up until then, been driving like a dream. One morning went out to start it, just the dreaded click and nothing there after. Me thinking it was a flat battery, took it out and put it on the Lidl smart charger overnight. Refitted battery next morning, struggled to start but it fired up. As the bonnet was in service mode, I noticed a puff of smoke come up between engine and air filter box (left side) soon as I started it. If I take it for a good drive it starts no problem for a few days, then after that it will struggle to start. As it's parked in the yard while I'm out in the truck for a few days, I test the battery when I get back before starting and it shows between 12.9v and 13.5v so it's not the battery or alternator. After reading the threads on here it points to the starter motor. Which brand of starter motor would you guys recommend and a part number if you anyone knows? Is it the same starter that also fits the 3.6? Thanks guys.

The starter I fitted to mine was a Denso DSN1207.

I had a Bosch unit fitted to mine, paid for by WarrantyWise.

However, before you go to the expense of a new starter can I suggest that you try replacing the start/stop button first? It's a 2 minute job and pattern ones can be had for about £20 or so.

Before my starter gave up I found this resolved the dreaded 'click' immediately and completely.

Good luck

Shaun 2012 TDV8 Westminster in the New Forest

Also: Land Rover Series 3 SWB, Mercedes 280SL, Classic Mini race replica, VW Golf SV
Previously: Audi A8, RR TDV8 Vogue, Audi Allroad, VW Golf GTI Edition 30, Audi A4 Avant, A8, A4 Sport, A6, VW Golf Mk5, Bora, Golf GTI Mk3, Jetta Mk3, Passat, Jetta Mk1, Golf Mk1

do you have the possibility to get it on a ramp and remove the starter ?

9 times out of ten you can fix it very simply, the ends of the solenoid copper contacts in the starter motor go black with carbon build up, and this makes the motor intermittently click and you will get the dreaded no start.

The main problem with the starter is the solenoid contacts get black carbon build-up which can be easily cleaned off, remove the motor and file off the black carbon deposit on the contacts, worth doing if you can as you really don't want to buy a new motor unless you really have to

Very good call there Shaun, the car was left for a few days while I was out working, got back in it Friday and slow to start. Then I read on here about where to press the starter button should it be playing up, so now I use 2 fingers in the 3 and 9 o'clock position and it fires up straight away. Did some running around Saturday started every single time straight away. Didn't use the car on Sunday, 8am this morning and -2c, 2 fingers on the button and fired straight up. So good call there, out for actually be the button. It's parked up in the works car park for a few days now so I'll see how it goes when I start it when I get back.

PCourtney, funny you should mention a ramp. The company relocated the weekend, the yard next door to be exact and when I went to have a mooch around the warehouse, I was greeted by a 4 ton 2 poster lift, that's in full working condition and just got it's safety certificate for the next year. Well I couldn't contain my excitement at seeing it, my boss thought I'd won the lottery
Told him it's going to save me a shed load of money with that there and asked if I could use it anytime I want and he said no probs. So now I've got a 2 post car lift to do my own maintenance and repairs. What a result.

what a result mate