When your car is running normally everything is fine, however if it starts to have regular complications you might begin to question, specifically if your motor vehicle won’t start. In this post we will learn you where the starter of a Volkswagen Atlas is, it will help you to solve your ignition complications. To achieve this, we will first illustrate the purpose of a starter, then, where is the starter on a Volkswagen Atlas , and, finally, how to change the starter of a motor vehicle.

find-starter-volkswagen-atlas

Role of the starter on your Volkswagen Atlas

We begin this article by explaining the purpose of the starter motor on your Volkswagen Atlas. The starter is an electric motor which is powered by your battery, its purpose will be to make your engine run at a high enough speed to start it (usually around 300/400 rpm). It is made up of three main parts:

  • The Solenoid: This part is an electrical relay that will action as a switch, it will be activated by the key of your Volkswagen Atlas and let the current from your battery to the engine unit of your alternator.

    • The engine unit: Most important component of your alternator, it is the one that will drive the flywheel of your Volkswagen Atlas and create enough speed for your engine unit to begin.

  • The engagement pinion: This is the last part of your starter, it is the toothed wheel that will be in direct contact with the flywheel, it allows to send the force from the starter to the engine.

Where is the starter on a Volkswagen Atlas?

Now that we have quickly described what a starter is and how it works, we will answer the question that most of you have to ask yourselves where is the starter based on a Volkswagen Atlas? It is quite easy to find a starter, indeed, it is a large part that will almost always be positioned in a similar place. We let you discover the two possible locations for your motor vehicle starter down below.

Location of the starter on traditional Volkswagen Atlas

First and most general circumstance, where to find the starter of a Volkswagen Atlas with a conventional motor (implied without start and stop). The starter has a specific function, to start the engine unit of your motor vehicle, for that, it must always be near the engine unit flywheel of this one because it is the part that it actuates when it is used. The flywheel is based at the junction between your gearbox and your engine unit.

Location of the starter to Volkswagen Atlas with start and stop

And now second possible starter location of your Volkswagen Atlas . This case is much less frequent. It only is about engines fitted with start and stop, and a good part of them will be equipped with a starter positioned close to the flywheel. Nevertheless, on some specific series or engines, the starter of your Volkswagen Atlas might be built in in your alternator, it is then named a starter-alternator, to find it nothing much easier, find your accessory belt and you should see the big starter block.

How to change the starter on a Volkswagen Atlas?

Finally, we’ll explain to you quite quickly how to change the starter of a Volkswagen Atlas. This process is not necessarily difficult, it can be considered by people who have a minimal of basic mechanical expertise and adapted tools. Follow down below the main steps to carry out this intervention:

  • Disconnect the battery on your Volkswagen Atlas, if you don’t know how to do it, don’t hesitate to seek advice from our article which details how to do it without taking any risk.
  • After discovering your starter, loosen the fasteners that hold it in your engine unit block, there will in most cases be 2 or 3

    • .

  • It will be time to disconnect the power cables from the starter motor of your Volkswagen Atlas, however before doing so we recommend you to take a picture of the set up to avoid making a mistake when reassembling.
  • It’s possible that to take out it you might need to take out parts like the gimbal.
  • Remount the new starter, being careful when connecting the connectors.
  • Reconnect your battery and test your starter.

In the event that you have any additional questions about the Volkswagen Atlas, do not hesitate to consult our Volkswagen Atlas category.