Starter problems

[wil892]

Hi

I've been struggling with this problem for a couple of years, but it has only really arisen during the summer. Recently it has got worse though.

Basically sometimes the starter will just click when I turn the key, then on a second attempt it can spin up as usual. Sometimes on the second attempt the starter spins slowly but still starts the engine. I have had a couple of times when the car was still hot and the starter just clicked once every time the key was turned. To get the car to start I just rocked it in second gear to rotate the engine, then the starter was fine.

The starter was new from eurocarparts about 3 years ago, it is an RTX branded starter. The new motor was put on because much the same thing happened to the old genuine starter motor.

I'm now starting to think it could be the ignition switch, does this sound likely or could the RTX starter just be starting to give up the ghost already?
I don't think it is connections because the engine was out six months ago for a full rebuild, and at the time I cleaned all the connections and lubed them with copper grease. The car is a 1.6 GTD
Thanks
Will

[vii-cks]

I'd just say check the connections as that usually tends to be people's issues with earths/lives.

For the cost of an ignition switch it may be worth trying one of those, pretty sure they're cheap on veedubmachine before you go forking out for genuine parts.

If not maybe try a second hand starter see if that improves the situation.