Starter clicking / problems

I have a 2010 VW GTI DSG with 68k miles

Basically 3 weeks ago I drove to a park on a 90 degree weather day, parked the car, then let it sit there for 15 mins, got back to my car and tried starting it and it wouldn't start, just a loud click, thought it was my battery at first so went and bought a new one(battery was old anyways), wasnt the problems so I let it sit for 2 days before towing it

Went back to my car and it started up fine and took it home, let it sat for a good week and it started up fine for a good week no clicking

Yesterday, It was 47 degrees and I was going to start my car and it did the same thing, just clicked once, then I turned the ignition again and it started, then went back to work, got back to my car a few hours later and it wouldn't start at all, even tapped the starter with a wrench.

Is this a starter problem or an electrical problem? Thank you!

I know you replaced your battery but did you clean your terminal cable connections? A dirty connection will cause this. Also make sure the connections are tight. I'm sure you already knew this but doesn't hurt to double check.

I had exactly the same problem just after buying the car, I also thought it was the battery so bought a new one too, then I realised that the only thing that could cause it to randomly do this had to be the starter! I fitted a new one myself as it’s easily accessed and it’s been fine since, I’ve done over 20,000 miles so it’s definitely fixed.


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11gti718 said:

I know you replaced your battery but did you clean your terminal cable connections? A dirty connection will cause this. Also make sure the connections are tight. I'm sure you already knew this but doesn't hurt to double check.

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Yeah I tried doing that already, I’ll do it again just a strange problem.

Carlosfandango said:

I had exactly the same problem just after buying the car, I also thought it was the battery so bought a new one too, then I realised that the only thing that could cause it to randomly do this had to be the starter! I fitted a new one myself as it’s easily accessed and it’s been fine since, I’ve done over 20,000 miles so it’s definitely fixed.


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Yeah it’s probably the starter then, but never thought they only last 70k, thank you



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Sounds like the starter could be it, mine was replaced around 80k (before I bought it).

If not that though, it sounds very similar to an issue I had with my last car where my fuel pump went out. If it’s not the starter, I’d check the fuel pump too.

Dannyk0ed said:

Yeah I tried doing that already, I’ll do it again just a strange problem.



Yeah it’s probably the starter then, but never thought they only last 70k, thank you



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Mine was on 82000 when it failed!


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