Help! My Indy starter motor doesn't want to turn the engine over. It turns it over maybe twice then makes a sort of whining noise like the motor is spinning on it's own and not engaging?

Fyi it's a 1.8 k series

This is not a problem I have encountered before but am assuming the starter motor or mechanism has had it? Any ideas?

Thanks

Iain

Could be solenoid loosing power therefore the gear is pulling back and disengaging.
I use a bloke in Harlow who rebuilds them, cheaper than buying new more reliable than going to the scrappers.

Seem to recall reading on Blatchat lots of postings about Caterhams having problems
with starter motors being damaged by heat from the exhaust.

Before spending your hard earned, take it off give a good clean, check that the pinion is totaly without grease or oil, and refit. I have done this with the occasionaly recalcitrant starter, and most times it has wirked, if it doesn't then it's a re-con.
HTH Ray

Thanks for the replies. First step I think is to get the starter motor out and investigate further

Cheers

Iain