ford capri starter motor

[spartan56]

Hi I'm new to the world of classics and owned my Mk3 Ford Capri no more than two months now.
my problem is i drove it home, bit of a clunky drive and once i got home it was all right. However when i came back out to start it, it just clicked at the solenoid.
Before i removed it i checked the earth's and any other obvious points but they looked ok.
so when i came to bench test the starter motor it worked but not all the time, i either got the click, it popped out or it done what its meant too.
so i was just wondering if anyone's had this problem before and if so is it worth stripping and cleaning or will i just get a new one?

[Willhook]

Hi It's probably dirty contacts in the solenoid, Or a very corroded bridge wire causing high resistance and not working.

[VinceFox]

You can still get them from some motor factors. Which engine is it?

[nando]

when I had a capri many years ago, I was constantly removing the starter motor to repair and replaced once, as its not a pre engaged starter the forward throw was sticking every 6 months or so and had to be regularly cleaned and lubricated. Wasn't a difficult job, just three bolts and was quite enjoyable.

[Justin S]

Check all the cables, as I had a breakdown of the cable clamp on my battery which gave intermittent starting on my crossflow powered westfield.Only saw smoke coming out the cable one day when it failed to start. Replaced all the live and earth cables, but that was after 2 solenoids and 2 starters !!! Also the solenoid is a problem area and cheap enough. Starters are available as recon units at worst case senario.

[spartan56]

its a 1.6 pinto, ive took it off stripped it cleaned and lubricated it and still no luck, all contacts look spot on. it works every now and again on bench test only as soon as its in car it tells me where to go. frustrating as it drove it back when i bought it and it started a few times after that.

[VinceFox]

you can definitely still get starters for 1.6 pintos. get a new one!

oh and pics please!