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Old November 3rd 11, 12:45 PM posted to aus.cars,rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled
D Walford
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Posts: 15
Default Starter solenoid current?

On 03/11/2011 8:27 PM, Clocky wrote:
> Bernd Felsche wrote:
>> D > wrote:
>>> On 03/11/2011 1:31 AM, Bernd Felsche wrote:
>>>> > wrote:
>>>>> "Bernd Felsche" wrote

>>
>>>>>> I'm trying to figure out the current draw by the starter solenoid,
>>>>>> (not the starter motor) at terminal 50.

>>
>>>>>> It's powered through the ignition switch in the Golf GTI but the
>>>>>> 4mm wiring has me baffled. That's too much current to go through a
>>>>>> little ignition switch if the wire is sized for current capacity.

>>
>>>>>> So I assume it's sized to avoid voltage drop, which leaves me none
>>>>>> the wiser regarding the current actually drawn by the starter
>>>>>> solenoid.

>>
>>>>> Why not put an ammeter in series?

>>
>>>> Because it could fry the poor thing ...
>>>> Most multimeters maxo ut at 10 Amps.
>>>> I suspect that it could be 30A, if not more.
>>>> Bosch book says 30 to 70A, depending on the size of the starter.

>>
>>> That's a hell of a current to be going through the switch, it would
>>> be very unusual for there not to be a relay?

>>
>> Since you ask; not unusual. They're probably counting on the current
>> being intermittent.
>>
>> As the at least 8 million vehicles of that type have exactly that
>> same starter wiring, from 1983 to 1992. And probably another few
>> million Jetta clones produced in China over the past 20 years with
>> the same.

>
> I don't think the current draw is as high as you think. I remember a common
> fix for starting problems due to volt drop was to fit a standard relay.
>


That was a common fix on many older Toyota's, I've even fitted a couple
myself for the same reason.

> The heavier guage wiring would be to reduce volt drop, not for high current
> draw.
>


Most likely spot on.


Daryl

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