[Beachboy]

When I try to start, it disengages, starter motors spins up high then makes a horrible crunching sound when it slows down after I release the key, then wham! It clunks back into engagemnt.
Very uncomfortable sounds. Should I just go for a new (rebuilt)starter or is this a possible bad connection of the engagement solenoid?

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[Ryan]

You can take the starter off and clean thing up and re-lube. Do a search on sticky starter syndrome. It could work...it did for me. You may haver a bad solinoid though.

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[DaveN]

Or a broken Bendix spring which is most likely. Re-re of starter for a refurb isn't terrribly expensive. It's a DIY and a drive to the auto parts store.

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[Langley968]

I had<b> exactly</b> the same starter problem as Beachboy. I ordered a Bosch Rebuilt Starter (944-604-104-X-M14) from Pelican Parts and just installed it this past Tuesday night and I now have "peace of mind".
I was told a few horror stories by different friends who had "teeth" nocked out of the flywheel by a starter acting up (not Porsche's). If that were to happen it would cost 10X the cost of a rebuilt starter! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif[/img]
I now do not have to "pray" before I start the 968, nor do I cringe about shutting it off to run inside because I forgot something, in the fear that when I get back it might take three... four... five tries to get it going again.
The starter did not "act up" every time. It seemed that it was more problematic after I washed the car or if there was more moisture in the air. Not exactly sure on that, but it seemed to be that way.
As I was under the car changing the starter, I did notice that I have a leaky seal somewhere and that there is oil (and sand) accumulating on the belly pan. There was even some oil on the starter core. I wonder if that had some adverse effect on the starter OR if it was just getting old and tired.
I have not located the seal that is leaking. Could it be a simple as the oil pan gasket? I hope so.
As advised by some in this Forum, I did check the wire insulation leading up to the starter and it all seemed good. No cracks and still very pliable. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] Probably a different story if the car is always in a hotter climate.

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