Sounds like the Bendix is bad. The starter gear is driven by a one way
clutch (Bendix). This clutch keeps the engine from driving the starter
after it starts so it doesn't get instantly destroyed before you release
the key.

Take the starter out and send it back.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Will Morris
Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2003 6:40 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Starter whizzing

Hi all,
I finally finished putting a rebuilt Bosch starter into my 87 Syncro.
Replaced the bushing as well. Oiled the bushing like they said to, was
really careful tapping it into place. After the usual gymnastics to get
the
starter into position, it slid in super smooth.

Started great the first 4 times or so. After that, about 75 percent of
the
time, the starter just whizzes -- sounds like the starter gear is
spinning
and not engaging the flywheel. Most other times it will turn the engine
over great. A couple times there was that terrible grinding sound of the
gears not meshing, but it hasn't done that the last 20 times I've tried
it.

The old starter never used to have this problem. It had others, but not
this...

thanks,

Will