Strange Starting Problem

[foxy600]

I have a strange intermittant problem with my S2, sometimes when trying to start I hear the starter motor click and engage, but the car doesn't turn over. I thought it was the battery, but it is new and fully charged. If I turn the key on and off a few times, suddenly it will turn over.
I am not sure what this could be, surely if the starter motor was faulty I wouldn't hear it engage at all?
Any ideas?

[axe]

I have the same problems when the car is hot... Sometimes I acn hear the click but nothing happens... After a few turns of the key it screams to life.
Had the problem on a Vitara and banging the starter motor with a hammer helped a bit. Something to do with some internal parts sticking.

aXe

Another item to add to the perfect Tiv Survival/Starter Kit

[foxy600]

This always seems to happen when the car is cold
Maybe the starter motor is on its way out?

[S3_David]

Probably a sticking solenoid. Mine was doing this and got to the stage where one day it wouldn't start at all. Whipped out the starter motor, removed the solenoid and gave it a good clean and re-lubricated it. Put it back together and no more problems.

[harry1972m]

Years ago I bought a MK2 Ford Escort and just before I drove away I went to hand the seller a golf club which was in the boot, he explained that it came with the car - somewhat bemused I accepted it, later that day I realised why as exactly the symptoms you describe happened so I phoned the guy and he instructed me to whack the starter motor with the golf club - the solenoid duly unstuck and spun freely - after about 3 weeks of this I replaced the solenoid which solved the problem.

[foxy600]

How difficult is it to get the starter motor out, is it tackled from above or below?!

Will I know what the solenoid looks like when I see it?

[S3_David]

Hi Chris,

Underneath job definitely. Only two bolts hold the starter to the bell housing (make sure you disconnect the battery first). The solenoid is the round bit on the side of the starter motor and if I recollect correctly is fixed to the casing with two machine screws. It's all quite straightforward. Make sure you clean both the inside of the casing + the solenoid piston with fine emery/wet and dry to make it run smoothly when re-assembled. 40 min job

[foxy600]

Great, sounds fairly strightforward. Guess I will be busy this weekend!
Thanks for the help

[intrepid]

I have recently had the same problem and replaced the starter several times - problem was not the starter! After some hints on this forum it turned out to be a frayed cable at the starter end - cut the cable and refixed the cable end... all is now fine.

Also cleaned up the earthing point whilst I was at it.