When your car is running normally everything is fine, nevertheless if it begins to have frequent problems you might begin to worry, specifically if your car won’t start. In this article we will teach you where the starter of a Volkswagen California is, it will help you to fix your ignition problems. To achieve this, we will first explain the function of a starter, then, where is the starter on a Volkswagen California , and, at last, how to replace the starter of a car.

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Role of the starter on your Volkswagen California

We begin this content by detailing the function of the starter motor on your Volkswagen California. The starter is an electric motor which is powered by your battery, its job will be to make your engine run at a high enough speed to start it (usually around 300/400 rpm). It is composed of three main parts:

  • The Solenoid: This part is an electrical relay that will work as a switch, it will be activated by the key of your Volkswagen California and let the current from your battery to the engine of your alternator.
  • The engine: Main element of your alternator, it is the one that will drive the flywheel of your Volkswagen California and generate enough speed for your engine to begin.

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

Where is the starter on a Volkswagen California?

Now that we have quickly explained 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 California? It is quite easy to discover a starter, in truth, it is a large component that will almost always be situated in a similar place. We let you see the two possible places for your car starter down below.

Location of the starter on traditional Volkswagen California

First and most basic circumstance, where to discover the starter of a Volkswagen California with a conventional motor (implied without start and stop). The starter has a specific objective, to start the engine of your car, for that, it must always be near the engine flywheel of this one because it is the component that it actuates when it is used. The flywheel is based at the junction between your gearbox and your engine.

Location of the starter to Volkswagen California with start and stop

And now second possible starter location of your Volkswagen California . This case is much less frequent. It just concerns engines fitted with start and stop, and a good component of them will be equipped with a starter situated close to the flywheel. Nevertheless, on some specific series or engines, the starter of your Volkswagen California might be included in your alternator, it is then known as a starter-alternator, to discover it nothing much easier, find your accessory belt and you should see the big starter block.

How to replace the starter on a Volkswagen California?

Finally, we’ll show you to you quite quickly how to replace the starter of a Volkswagen California. This procedure is not actually difficult, it can be considered by people who have a minimum of simple mechanical expertise and adapted tools. Follow down below the main steps to perform this intervention:

  • Disconnect the battery on your Volkswagen California, if you don’t know how to do it, don’t think twice to consult our content which details how to do it without taking any risk.
  • After finding your starter, loosen the fasteners that hold it in your engine block, there will generally be 2 or 3
  • .

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

If you want more guides on the Volkswagen California, go to our Volkswagen California category.