Hi everyone, I'm new here as I have only owned my Landy (19j) for a few weeks...

This morning she was due for service and when I tried to start her up (after ca 10 seconds pre-glow) there was absolutely nothing coming from the engine. Instead I got a fast hammering noise (sort of like an industrial sewing machine) coming from the front left area. All the lights were working fine.

I've now in deep shame given the keys to the mechanic to sort it out as luckily she's just two streets away from the garage - still interested what's the matter. From what I found on here I'm thinking its the starter motor, anyone had that problem yet?

Needless to say yesterday she started just fine, grrrr

cheers...

its the starter or battery flat

Possibly a tooth missing on the fly wheel starter ring. you can turn the engine over a bit from the crankshaft pulley with a large spanner to move the fly wheel round and try again. Starter motor will engage with a differnt part of the ring and the motor will turn over if that is the problem.
Most likely to be battery or as the starter motor earths through the engine block a bad earth or bad connection to the solenoid.
I've seen this with marine engine as the salt causes all kinds of bizarre symptoms which come back to earth problems.
We've had cold and salty roads recently which batteries and electrics hate almost as much as I do, so I'd start with a fully charged battery before worrying about anything else.
If it's fine after the charge and does the same thing in a week, it's probably the battery so get that tested before assuming it's anything to do with charging.
Usually turns out to be something simple.

I vote flat battery. Try jump starting from a running car.

...and the battery it was! (never knew that can create the sound equivalent of a gabber rave)

Thanks for your replies, I'm pretty sure I'll be back soon

Give it more than 10 secs heat , its only just started to get warm at that - used to give mine a good 20 - 30 on 4 new plugs to get the bitch started on cold mornings .