Here is my dilemma,

I have a 98 A4 Quattro 2.8L. The car has about 202,000 miles. It has some cosmetic damage, but it's not really for show. The tires are almost brand new, and I had the timing belt done 20,000 miles ago. It leaks a little oil, but not too much.

I think my starter is bad because it wouldn't start this morning, wouldn't crank at all. The spring in my ignition starter switch is broken, and when it was in the shop last week, some mechanic left the starter engaged and I could hear it grinding from the waiting room. I imagine this could have contributed to the starters death (it's only about a year old). I had it replaced because for some reason it wouldn't crank when it was really cold last year.

Anyways, do you think it's worth sinking the $450 into the car for a new starter (I imagine a starter replacements costs about that much), or should I lay the car to rest? It's the automatic transmission by the way. Just wondering how much life the transmission and the engine have left. I haven't really noticed any problems, but they won't last forever. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

well as long as the car is well maintained and in good shape i would say it is worth the 450, i own a 1.8t but the 2.8 is a much more reliable engine, the transmition should be good as long as it is kept up on. get it fixed and keep up on the maintenance and it will be a good car

 

Do you hear the solenoid click at all? Do you know there is power to the starter? Can't help but wonder if it's your ignition switch that gave up on you, not the starter. That switch is only about $20 - $30 and and a half hour away from being done.

 

I think I heard one click and that was it. I need to check it out again tonight when I get home from work.

I ordered the ignition starter switch today. I actually tried to replace it once because I was annoyed that it didn't spring back to run from on. Any time a person unfamiliar with the car would start it, they were guaranteed to grind the starter.

I had the steering column all taken apart only to find out that the ignition starter switch I was sent didn't fit. I had to put it back together with the old part. I'm hoping the new one will fit.

If there is an electrical problem, I doubt it's that though. And when I got out of the car after trying to start it this morning, I thought I smelled something hot. I think the starter motor is fried. I wish it were an easier repair, but I live in the city and have no garage and no tools. That pretty much rules out a DIY for that.

 

When you dig in there again, test the lock cylinder after you remove the switch. Sometimes the resistence is there, not in the switch.

 

Would all the dash lights still work if that was an issue?

 

Yes, but confirm the theory by testing for voltage at the solenoid.