# Solution to noisy starter in 1989 Volkswagen Golf

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/solution-to-noisy-starter-in-1989-volkswagen-golf/67149>\
**Category:** The Show\
**Created:** [August 15, 2011, 10:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/solution-to-noisy-starter-in-1989-volkswagen-golf/67149 "2011-08-15T22:15:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mrmeanyboots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4da419/32.png) [@mrmeanyboots](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mrmeanyboots)\
**Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 10:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/solution-to-noisy-starter-in-1989-volkswagen-golf/67149/1 "2011-08-15T22:15:42Z")

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During the August 13 show a caller asked about the horrible grinding noise when she tries to start her car. The problem was diagnosed as bad teeth on the ring gear.

Here’s a solution that works for me in my Mazda MPV, which has the same problem: Before turning the engine off, I put the automatic transmission in gear (I prefer #2). This causes the engine to stop in a different position than it normally does, so good gear teeth are available to the starter next time. Works like a charm!