On closer inspection this spinning noise was coming from the starter motor but it was not clicking in the usual relay way. We then noticed some smoke from the nsf of the car which quickly cleared, maybe this was a relay burning out?
The starter seemed to have been giving off quite a bit of rusty looking dust and I understand they can become worn with a knackered DMF, which it has recently had replaced. As the starter didn't sound right and had a dusty discharge we thought it would be the starter had failed.
I stripped out the starter and sourced a new Lucus unit which I then fitted. The original starter seemed to have seized up as it could not be turned like the new one. However, the car still will not start, there is the stater clicking and sometimes spinning but its as if there is not enough power to engage the starter fully. It is installed correctly and is identical to the one removed.
The car can be tow started and runs fine.
So, what could be the cause now?
Maybe the relay has burnt out slightly (explaining the smoke earlier) due to the original starter being stuck. There is still power going to the starter as it clicks and the cars lights dim slightly as if it is drawing enough current but the starter is not engaging and spinning.
Where is the relay for the starter? I know there are relays under the fuses (all fine) in the engine bay and also behind the fuse box in the car. But which one is it?
It maybe is an earthing problem but first checks seem to be ok.
Lexia didn't seem of much help apart from the warning of a fault with the glow plug relay ... I'm not sure that would cause this issue and I'm sure I remember this car having that fault already.
At a bit of a loss at the moment
