Sticky starter motor

[saaby93]

I'm hoping this is the last one in the series but never mind
Matey popped round again to say his starter motor has started sticking
Turn the ignition key - loud click then nothing. Try again a few times and eventually it starts

Anyhow it happened here so dug out the voltmeter
The battery with everything off is at 12.5volts

With voltmeter on the signal to the solenoid turn the key, click, wait a while for the meter to autorange and 8.5 volts, nothing
Yes really nothing after that, no click nothing.
It turns out ( 2 fuses and some choice words later) that if you hold the ignition key turned too long, the 20A fuse in the engine bay blows! It's the fuse that feeds the solenoid through the immobiliser.

Anyway to get him on his way we rocked the car in 4th and something unclicked and with another fuse we're able to start it normally.
He's off now but expecting the phone call

What can size up in the solenoid so it takes so much current to blow the fuse?

[hueandcry71]

Just a thought, forgive me if it is a wild and wacky one but..............why doesnt your mate join Pistonheads?

[saaby93]

I had the same idea last time
At least he's gone as far as getting a manual.

[Justin S]

I'd look at a battery as if the starter was faulty, you would not get any where near 8.5 volts across the terminals. The fuse is blowing because of the load of the starter unable to turn the engine.