Aside from the nagging ultra-rich running D-Jet issues that I'm having, my starter has been on its way out from the past month. Today I went and bought a new (rebuilt) from Murrars Auto Parts. This is my first starter change, so I thought everything was cool.

Car on the lift, old starter came out with a breeze, I unbox the new starter, and to my surprise... it's the wrong unit!!! I double checked the part # and description (I paid for it online) and it checked out as the correct part.

This is my old/existing starter style:

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This is the new starter:

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I'm confused. The new starter is obviously a VW/Porsche part - it looks the same and bolts up the same. The web site says my old style is for AUTO trans, and the new one that I bought is MANUAL trans - exactly opposite of what is correct for my car. Now I'm not dumb - I'm 100% sure that my teener is a MANUAL. So what gives? There's even an eBay auction for a 914 starter that is the same style as the new one I bought, and it lists it as being correct: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Starter-197...VQQcmdZViewItem

Just for the rec - I'm 100% positive that this new starter does not fit my car. Trust me.

Here's the kinder, gentler answer from Cap'n Krusty. First, you got a rebuilt starter, not a new one. Second, it's HIGHLY likely you got an el cheapo aftermarket paint-it- and-sell-it part. That's (nearly) invariably what you get when you deal with a non-Porsche specialist parts seller. The so called discounter brick and mortar parts stores ALL make the same mistake because they all use the same catalog, the one with the error. ALL 914s and ALL 911s from 1966 to 1977 use the SAME starter: Bosch SR 17X. What you got is the starter for an air cooled VW from 1967-1979 (except 76+ Type 2 and all automatics). What you also got was screwed and inconvenienced. Do yourself a favor and deal with GPR or Pelican, or a local foreign car parts store (preferably one that knows that German cars are "foreign").

The Cap'n

Had the same problem. Part number is wrong with all generic auto parts dealers like the Cap'n says. I got a rebuilt one myself. So far held up for 2k + miles. I have a spare in the garage just in case.

I had to go in with the SR 17X p/n to get the right one. All of the FLAPS will try to sell you the wrong one telling you it is the same.

Thanks Cap'n - the new starter is a Bosch, but they're dumbasses so that explains it all. It's all clear to me now.

FWIW, I got a replacement from PepBoys. It was the "Bosch" rebuilt one. That's what the catalog called for. That's what I received, and I had no problem with it.

typical. There is a mistake in the bosch book. You need an sr 17x

And just to clarify make sure you get an SR 17x. Cuz if you accidentally ask for an SR-71, it could really cost you some money.

I got the later 911 starter, SR 78x or whatever it is, more power

Just checked the latest paper version of the Bosch Catalog. George is right. I also looked at a 20+ year old IMC catalog. Same thing. Interesting that the latter has a Porsche part number below the Bosch number, ant it's correct for the cars. BTW, to answer one of the replies by the original poster, they're ALL Bosch, rebuilt by somebody. If yours didn't come in a Bosch box, it ain't the real deal, and it's likely to be substandard. If it cost under about $105, it's not real. BTW, while the list price for a NEW SR15x(N) is about that number, the retail is $360. The SR17x is cheaper wholesale, and lists for about a third of the VW starter. The Cap'n

Unless you have an extremely high compression race motor, you don't NEED an SR87X. Besides, they have a nasty habit of bending the armature. The Cap'n

Yes Cap'n it was a Bosch part in a Bosch box (that's what I meant earlier - maybe I should have clarified) - I'm not in the habit of putting junk on my car. I paid $135.

Nothing personal! There's a lot of people out there (and right on this list) that equate low prices with "the best deal"! You paid a good price, and shouldn't have to pay any more than that for the correct part. When you install the right one, clean the ground strap, and both ends of both battery cables. The Cap'n

When I worked at checker I looked up the starter with the computer and got the right one. ~$50