At 07:59 AM 9/7/2007, Dennis Haynes wrote...
>The gear is attached to the starter shaft with a one way or
>overrunning
>clutch. This is often referred to as a "Bendix". This prevents the
>armature
>from being over run and destroyed during the brief moment when the
>engine
>starts and the solenoid is released. Most likely it is bad.

Just to be pedantic, but "Bendix" actually refers to the pinion
engagement mechanism. The one way clutch is actually a "Sprag."

Our VWs (along with most modern starters) combine both Bendix and Sprag
mechanisms with solenoid assist for the pinion (which is called a "Dyer
drive").