Starlet starter not engaging

rugbyman

My faithful 97 starlet ,bangernomics special. is giving a little bother. today it would not turn starter,(after having been started). while turning the key to start, the lights on dashboard did not lessen.
push started , later turned off engine and re started , then later did not start

really strange thing then, got a push , engine started , then would not rev cleanly, then misfiring. Stopped engine, checked under bonnet, fan belt ok, needed half litre water in rad, pressed in leads on distributor cap, push start ,ran cleanly immediately.
\ drove on 20 miles , though at 60 mph felt very slight misfire.
home now , engine will not turn over,when key is turned to start position a slight whirring noise can be heard ,though the dash lights do not lessen.

have googled this, may be solenoid, anybody?

shawnee

Sounds like your starter is gone. Try giving it a few belts with a hammer (seriously) it may re engage but you will probably need to remove it and get it reconditioned at a starter.motor outlet.

bryaner

Sounds like the pinion on the starter is gone, 50 quid fix.