Had an interesting issue this morning, and since I don't quite understand how the starter motor works, I'm not sure how serious it is.

Went out to car this morning, turned key (the glow plugs seemed to take a bit longer than normal for the light to go out, but that may be nothing...) and then when they did, i turned key the rest of the way to hear the starter motor whizzing away but as if it wasn't in contact with the fly wheel at all. I turned ignition off, and then not really knowing what to do I tried it again and it started up fine.

It started fine again this evening, so whatever it is, it seems to have gone away.

I assume the starter motor must disengage from the flywheel somehow once the engine is going - could it be it got stuck disengaged? Does it disengage?

Other people seem to have the issue permanently and the diagnosis is the starter motor is knackered, does that mean mines on its way out?

Hope someone can shed some light on it

Mine did exactly the same a few months ago - like you I carried on and hoped for the best. 4 days later - new starter motor needed!

great. MOT due very soon too!

Don't worry just yet - the 19j motor in my parents 110 will do this occasionally, then start 50 times without an issue.

Mine on the other hand, which isn't on the road yet, will do it 50% of the time, and i just flick the key back off and on two or three times, and the starter will engage.

I put it down to both getting very little use (in the case of mine, feck all yet) and the starter needing a refurb/clean.

When I borrowed their hi-cap for a fortnight to use almost daily it didn't so much as hiccup...

HTH

Tom

Well turns out it lasted three years more ( though has been off road for the last year so that probably didn't help)

I tried starting engine and just got a buzzing sound....took it off and it seems dead.

The wheel seems seized.

Any thoughts on replacements? eBay has bearmach at £92 and apparently a marelli one at 74.....either of them worth it? I don't fancy going for £300+ for OEM...

Some starter solanoods move the gear in and out of synchro with the flywheel, when the grease gets old and crappy they could do with a clean and re grease.

Indeed.....however the whole starter motor is now dead.....I may see if I can repair and keep as a spare, however for the time being I'm needing to get a replacement so I can get it back on the road and motd

Get it refurbed at an auto sparks.