Engine 850: B5234T/2.3/20v/T5: Starter motor worn?

[02GF74]

Today trying to start my car after a 15 mile drive I got nothing from the starter.

The battery is about 1 year old and no charging problems.

Tyring the ignition key causes the headlamps to dull (starter solenoid engaging) but starter motor does not turn.

This has happened twice before, the next day, when the engine is cold, car started ok.

The recovery man put on a battery and it started - the theory being the extra power would overcome the resistance in the motor brushes.

So it seems like the starter motor is failing - sound about right?

How easy is it to remove it? The engine compartment looks pretty crowded - can the bolts be undone from above?

TIA.

[Luxobarge]

Not convinced it's the starter motor. IMHO you really need to diagnose this for sure, personally I'd beg steal or borrow a known good battery and see if that cures it. If it's still the same, then it's either the motor or bad connections, but I'd want to be absolutely sure before I changed the motor - they're pretty reliable on these cars, whereas even a 1-year old battery can be faulty quite easily.

Cheers!

[georgem]

connect a jump start lead from the negative battery post to to a GOOD clean metal part on the block, preferably as close to the starter as you can get, if it then starts ok you need to clean/replace the engine earth strap.
If it makes no difference disconnect and clean (wire brush/sandpaper) the starter motor connections, if that doesn't help check the brushes are in good shape.
As Luxobarge says check the battery first.
Good luck mate.

[RollingThunder]

+1 check all connections especially earth leads are good and electrically sound, then check the starter solenoid contacts and bushes. If you're not getting a good electrical connection you won't be getting full power to the starter motor.