Main faults of the starter (VW Passat B5)

If you do not hear the solenoid click when you turn on the starter and the starter motor does not run, check to see if there is voltage at terminal 50. When the engine starts, the voltage at terminal 50 should be at least 10 V. If the voltage is less than 10 V, check the electrical circuit of the starter. To check the condition of the electrical circuit of the starter, follow these steps:.

Apply the handbrake and set the gearshift lever to neutral. Turn on the ignition.

Using an additional 4mm² wire, connect terminals 30 and 50.

If the starter motor starts to rotate, then the electrical circuit of the starter power supply is faulty.

Cause	Method of elimination
The starter does not work
The battery is discharged	Charge the battery.
When terminals 30 and 50 are connected, the starter starts working	Restore the starter power supply circuit.
Open or short to ground in starter wire	Check the condition of the wires and replace them if necessary.
Current loss due to loose or oxidized wire contacts	Clean the contacts and secure the wires securely.
There is no voltage at terminal 50 of the traction relay	There is a break in the starter power supply circuit that needs to be repaired.
The starter rotates slowly and does not turn the engine crankshaft
The battery is discharged	Charge the battery.
Current loss due to loose or oxidized wire contacts	Clean the contacts and secure the wires securely.
Carbon brushes do not fit tightly enough to the commutator or are defective	Check the condition and replace the carbon brushes if necessary.
Carbon brushes do not make contact with the commutator	Replace the carbon brushes.
The working surface of the collector is damaged	Regrind the working surface of the collector or replace the anchor.
The voltage supplied to the starter is less than 10 V	Check the starter relay or solenoid relay.
The traction relay is faulty	Replace the traction relay.
The starter works fine, but does not turn the engine crankshaft
Starter drive gear dirty or defective	Clean or replace the starter drive gear.
The flywheel ring gear is worn out	Replace flywheel.
The starter gear does not disengage from the flywheel ring gear
The starter drive pinion or the screw thread on the starter shaft is dirty or damaged	Clean or replace the starter pinion or armature.
The traction relay is faulty	Replace the traction relay.
The return spring has become weak or broken	Replace the return spring.
The starter continues to operate after it is turned off with the ignition key
Burning of traction relay contacts	Immediately turn off the ignition or remove the ground cable from the battery.
The ignition switch does not turn off the starter	Immediately remove the ground cable from the battery and replace the ignition switch.