96 Jetta starter trouble

[JettaFan]

I think I might have a bad starter in my 96 Jetta GL. It's an automatic with a 2.0 l engine. It was working just fine last night, but this morning, I tried to start it, and nothing...

I figured it was the battery, so I got a boost, and still just a clicking noise. The power post got really hot after trying it a few times, and it even started smoking.

Does anyone know of anything that I can do to fix this problem, or will I need to replace the starter?

[boschmann]

I'd say it's starter time.

[riceaterSLC]

if you replace the starter, check to see if there is a bearing on the end of the starter shaft. i know they are on the mk3's. if so, you shoudl replace it now, since you have the starter out.

[JettaFan]

I went ahead and replaced the starter. It was definately cooked. So that means that in the past 3 months, I've replaced the alternator, the power steering pump, the starter, the brakes and rotors, the battery, the plugs and wires, the entire fuel system from the tank forward, the entire muffler system, the whole suspension, and had 2 chips in the windshield repaired.

Now all I need is a body job to take care of about a dozen small rust bubbles that are just starting to show, and I'll practically have a brand new car (there's only about 100 000 miles on it).

ps. Thanks for the feedback.