we are about to replace the starter on our 2001 VW jetta before we sell it (hopefully very soon). we don%26#039;t wanna pay for installation so that%26#039;s why we%26#039;re doing it ourselves. any tips on this process? is it complicated?? thanks in advance!|||disconnect the positive wire on it before you start doing it and make sure that you got it high enough to work on this one will probably be easier to get to from the bottom of the car ,so if you raise it up be sure its safe to get in under,sometimes saving money is good ,just be safe about it,good luck.|||Pull the POS. wire on battery then unwire it then unbolt. Its that easy but make sure the battery cable is off. You don%26#039;t want the jetters after being shocked by 12 volts not enough to huet but it will get your att.|||NOT REALLY. UNHOOK THE POSITAVE POST FROM THE BATTERY FIRST. THEN UNBOLT THE WIRES FROM THE STARTER. NEXT UNBOLT AND REMOVE THE STARTER.KEEP TRACK OF WHERE THE WIRES AND BOLTS GO. PUT EVERYTHING ON IN REVERSE. HOOK THE BATTERY BACK UP. :)|||What%26#039;s wrong with the car? Why must you sell it?|||Go to the library and see if you can find and borrow a shop manual for this car. If not, go to an auto supply store that sells shop manuals and see if they have one for your car.Buying one from the dealer is a last resort. They are expensive there.
I have changed starters quite often, but usually on straight six engines where it is no big deal. Changing out a starter is no big deal, but getting access is. On V8 cars, for instance the starter is underneath the engine. I don%26#039;t know about the Jetta, but you might have to remove things to get to it. On some cars the engine has to be raised to get to it.
Basically, the starter is bolted into the bell housing which connects the transmission to the engine block. There is a heavy cable which connects to a stud on the starter housing. This provides the electric power to the starter.
But I forgot, the Jetta is probably a front wheel drive, with the engine crosswise and on top of the transmission. I have no idea where the starter is, but basic changeout depends on being able to locate it and get to it.
Unbolt the cable, unscrew the bolts holding the starter to the bell housing and pull it out. It may require a little jimmying as the head of the starter is a worm gear which engages the ring gear on the engine fly wheel.Reverse the order to install the new one.
Oh, and when you buy the new starter it may not come with the worm gear drive. You might have to buy it separately or reuse the one on the old starter unless the gears are too badly buggered up from wear and/or abuse.
