The purpose of the starter, according to Samarins, is "to turn over the engine to start it." Occasionally, the starter motor will not turn over and the engine will not start. When this happens to your Volkswagen Jetta, you can fix it yourself. With the right know-how, you'll be able to change the starter in an afternoon.
Disconnect the battery. Use a socket wrench to loosen the retainer bolt on the negative battery cable clamp and pull the clamp off the post.
Use a screwdriver to unscrew the front engine mount that secures the starter to the engine.
Disconnect the wiring connector that connects the starter to the solenoid. Take off the cable guide. Disconnect the solenoid's power supply.
Remove the bolt that secures the PAS hose guide from the mounts of the starter motor with a socket wrench.
Remove the bolt located at the starter's upper mount, and remove the nut located beneath the starter.
Slip the starter and solenoid from the bellhousing aperture.
Repeat steps 1-6 in reverse when installing a new starter motor. Make sure you use a torque wrench when tightening the starter mounting bolts.
