Diesel sportwagon - engine won't crank but starter squeals like a stuck pig.

Ha! I wish I could but apparently the starter is buried between the battery tray and a road shield under the car. Can I dis-assemble for access, whack it and then re-assemble and try to start or does the whacking have to occur during the starting?

well it would maybe help,but since the starter is buried and you have to put everything back to try and start it,you only get one tap.if you can get to it and check the connections,and they are tight and not all corroded up,take it off,and take it to have it checked at parts place.if it is making the noise like you said,it may be shot,it's up to you.it may have oil all over it!

Hey Stevieray - I have no idea what happened but I was able to slip a 1/2" wooden dowl thru a space under the battery tray and make contact with the solenoid and gear housings on the starter. I gently tapped on the dowl with a hammer on both housings,(not sure what I'm unsticking) put the battery back in..(replaced the burned out headlamp though I have no idea how that could effect anything..) When I turned the key, she whined a little and then chugged a little and then turned over!! Woohoo! I couldn't believe it, I sat in the garage with the car running...too afraid to turn it off. Ha,ha I decided to turn the car around in the driveway in case the same thing happened tomorrow. Turned it off, started up right away like nothing happened, did that six more times. (???) In any case, this is the quote from the VW dealer and the amount that you have saved me (unless it happens tomorrow.. ha,ha): Diagnosis - $136 Labor to replace starter - 1.2 hrs - $163.20 Starter - $635.00 WTF?!?! (Autozone has non-OEM part for $113.00) Towing - $65.00 Total Saved (at least for now)- $999.20 You are a scholar and a gentleman, sir. Many Thank Yous! Kind Regards, grace

very good deal!glad it is starting,hope it keeps on with the keeping on.i know how much the starter is,i looked it up before i answered your question.whatever you used to get the battery out,and tap on the starter with,carry all that with you just in case!one thing i can't figure out on this site.a lot of people will only take there car to the dealer?i know there has to be some trusted repair shops somewhere in everyone's area,that will not s--- you so bad.that's all i see,dealer,dealer.wtf.most people on here would not have done what you just did and saved a grand.also by your name,you gotta be a lady,and there sure ain't many if any would have worked on there car.i know the dealer has to eat too.but fillet every night?only go to dealer if it's a recall and free.good luck with your car!!oh,go out and eat soon with a little of that money you saved,by trouble-shooting yourself and fixin it.pat self on back,also!