Replaced it with an identical starter
relay, and did a dry crank only to find the Bendix did not retract from the
ring gear.
Of course, I had the usual entourage of
admirers hanging around, all giving me their pearls of
wisdom.
But all including me came to the ultimate
conclusion that there was nothing for it but to remove the starter and take it
to an auto electrician.
Late in the day, I thought I best plan
for a replacement, so sent the LML email which you saw, and also rang the
outfit which did the bulk engine strip in March, basically to see if a
replacement starter was available here.
Having told him what happened, he said:
“Of course you realize the Bendix doesn’t retract from the ring gear until the
engine starts????!!!!!”.
Oh MERDE!
Recovered starter from Auto electrician –
replaced, used a litre of WD40, and bingo.
Yes, I can here you all laughing here –
but what a learning curve.