Howdy,
yesterday i went out to start the war horse ( 98 punto s60 1.2)
and basically when i turned the key i could hear a whirring noise but the car did not turn over.
so i tried it again and it started fine.
anyway yesterday evening same again. but when i tried it again it still did not start. so i literally pressed the clutch gave the gearstick a magic wiggle and hey presto its started.
now i know the gearstick wiggle probably did nothing and was morte like me shaking the car ( as i heard that if the starter is a bit ropey you can give it a rock and it might help it out, ( shocks are a bit so so it was easy to rock the car form the inside))
any ideas? suggestions? possible lifespan of starter? price? ease of fixing?
Thanks
MArtin

Hi,
It sounds to me it can be a couple of things, a bad earth connection from the battery, so first check all the battery leads to see if any are loose or broke, ok
next check the stater motor to see if there are any loose cable on there,
whilst you at the starter check to see if it has come loose, or a bolt is missing,
if these are all ok,
then the starter solonid could be a problem, so change/ replace the stater motor, remember disconnect the battery first,when you take out the old one, you must look at the teeth on the starter for wear if there is then this will lead to the next problem,
check the flywheel for wear by looking through the gap where the stater was,and try yourself or you might need an extra pair of hands, turn the engine over using a spanner on the bottom crank nut/bolt, to see if any teeth are worn or broken, if there is then thats a big job to and costly, But make sure the battery is Not connected , if it is the engine will start this way, and your fingers will be at risk of removal,
thiat was a list of things that the problem can be,
any problems ask me, and I will be more than willing to help,

I'd say it was the starter motor/solenoid. Either the solenoid isn't doing its job or the drive gear is faulty (it could be jammed or the one way clutch has gone)

thanks for the replies. i am going to have a good look at it today and i will get back to you.

had a quick look at it.

it looks like a right pain to get at. anyway was out and about today.

everytime i started the car with the clutch pressed in it started no bother.

if i did not press the clutch in it would not start! how would they be linked. And would be an indication of another problem.