Intermittent Starter problem - help please

Hi Everyone

Occasionally I have been getting an issue with my starter motor. 95% of the time my 2000 TD5 90 fires up immediately. However occasionally I turn the key and nothing. No clicks. And then it after about 4 turns the starter motor sort of thumps, a short noise and nothing.

As part of my rebuild I got the starter repair kit and this was fine for about 6 months. About a month ago it failed again but this was down to a loose earth on the battery.

Last week it just clunked again instead of starting so I got a new starter and fitted that and I had no issues until today when the same thing happened. Its been perfect all day and then out of the blue , same thing, clunk, clunk, clunk. I left it 2 minutes and then she fired right up.

I have just checked the battery and everything is nice and tight and I have taken the earths onto the engine and chassis off and cleaned them and put them back on nice and tight.

Fingers crossed this will sort it. Im not that bothered but my wife loves Landy but as soon as she loses confidence in her starting it would be a shame.

Any advice or tips would be appreciated.

When the starter works its perfect.

Thanks

Stumpy

Check the exciter wire connection on starter [ the small wire on the solenoid ] a poor connection here will give symptoms you have. A connection can be made but as the load comes on it can loose interest.
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cheers Tottot - its a brand new starter. Im not sure how to clean the onside of the connector plug. Would I need to get some electrical contact cleaner?

Update from 10 minutes ago. Went out started first time on the button. Drove to the local shop. 5 minutes later, no joy, clunk, clunk, clunk. However this time the starter turned about twice and stopped. Like the electrical feed was being cut.
Forgot to mention that the battery is 6 months old so theres plenty of power.
I changed the starter this week thinking it was that but it must be either the power to it or the earth.
I will clean the connection to the actual starter tomorrow.

Another update!! I got some WD40 contact cleaner as Tottott suggested and thoroughly cleaned the wee pug to the solenoid. Since then its started every time. I checked it about 20 times and no issues. Prior to the clean it was clunking all the time.
Fingers crossed its sorted.

She passed her MOT on Friday so its amazing how quickly you can go from loving her to feeling VERY frustrated.

Cheers

Stumpy