On Nov 19, 2011, at 6:28 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

>  As for rebuilds even the Bosch brand is hit or miss. On a recent automatic it took three attempts to get a correct, properly working starter. 1st was a Napa brand. Battery stud was too short. Next was Bosch SR25X. Did the slow barley crank it thing.

 
Thank you. I've had the same issues with Bosch rebuilds. One was slow cranking. The second one has an occasionally sticking solenoid. This on an automatic with an inline-4 installed at 15 degrees.

Figured one of Karl Mullendore's adapters would solve my problem. Since it has not been a pressing problem, I have decided to locate a used TDI starter. Bought a good used one from the supposedly correct donor. The mounting holes did not line up. I've spoken with Karl about it. To his credit, he did offer to replace the adapter in case the problem is due to an incorrectly drilled adapter. This a year after I bought the part. I haven't sent it back yet. Still planning on trying on another TDI starter in case the first one I bought is not the correct unit. If anyone in the San Francisco area has a TDI starter from a manual car that they are willing to loan just to test fit on my adapter, please pmail me. That goes the same if you have a good TDi starter for sale.

BenT