hey guys need help ASAP
im going to give as much detail of what i did and what happened to assist in your diagnosis!
I also did a search and found a few topics & made a check/try list but heres the problem.

Every now & then when i go to start my car the starter motor wont engage and just makes the Whirring sound or just makes a crunch noise (only happened less than 4 times in the last 3 months) but that hasnt happened in a while.
Now i went to the car warsh tonight, opened my bonnet (with engine running) and washed the drivers side of the bay, not high pressure rinse just normal. stopped and started the car 3 times between leaving the car wash and getting to a mates house no problems.
when i went to leave his house i went to start it and it just made the clicking sound like a flat battery.
All lights, stereo, ignition lights (reds) work & when i crank it the reds click in sync with the clicking noise coming from the engine bay.
I thought it was flat battery and got my mate to jump start me but same problem.
we put the car in reverse (ignition/accessories OFF), handbrake off; & pushed it about 5 Metre backwards. I jumped in (put it in neutral) and it started first click like nothing ever happened.
left there, got home, switched engine off, then went to start again and SAME PROBLEM!!
tried pushing the car forwards & backwards in numerous gears but no luck.

I think its definatly starter motor related, hope it dosnt involve changing the starter, done one before its a absolute prick of a job.
**this is my first falcon ive owned, knowledge on 'secrets/tricks' is minimal on these**

Checklist / Try List:
-Check starter fuse
-check volts @ battery, down the loom/cables, volts @ starter, etc
**would confirm if theres a short somewhere, possible from washing (was very careful though)**
-clean terminals (terminals ARE tight by the way)
**dodgy terminal? working until under current load and fails?**
-check all wires/connections/connectors/earth wire from neg terminal to car body
**loose connection causing problem?**
-neutral starter switch
**i think not likley as engine still trys to crank but just ticks**

NOW I read about this circuit board LHS of steering column & the HIT/BANG/RUN FINGER ACROSS
method but couldnt find out if that was for the AU series or not?

ANY HELP would be GREATLY GREATLY appreciated as i have the day off work today but need to work the following day, also have a bit of running around town to do today.

Thanks in advance!
Nick

upon closer inspection it sounds like the starter motor wants to
work but dosnt have enough current going into it to 'spin' it or
engage/push-out the gear/shaft.

to explain: it goes to engage but runs out of power so it snaps back,
then gets a burst of current/power,
so it goes to engage but the current drops or
it isnt enough so it snaps back again;
over & over when trying to start it.

this is the best i can explain it,
sorry for the essay but im desperate here!!

If its the starter you may be able to get it turning over by tapping it with a spanner etc as someone turns the car over. Worked for me for alittle while till the thing fully died.

Got my mrs to reach her arm through the top of the motor to take out that bastard of a bolt.

Have you tried changing the starter motor relay? It does sound like the starter motor solenoid might be buggered, it isn't too hard a job to change the starter if you do it from underneath.

i tried giving it a tap but the only thing i had at the time was a club lock/steering wheel lock
& i couldnt get it down the 0.0003 mm wide gap at the back of the engine; heater hose(?) gets in the way




i havnt tried anything as of yet, only went to try start it again and have a good listen.
im spewing i dont have a car hoist anymore so i might have to go Kiwief spec and get the mrs small hands in there for the top bolt, the rest is alright just that top bloody bolt i hate it.

i will give the relay a shot even if its a temp fix for now

Replace the starter, permanant fix. Just grab a BF starter, smaller light and has more kick than what the E series unit ever did. Bout $120ish if you shop around.

dont get me wrong i WILL change the starter no doubt there, its just a matter of finance at the moment (just started a new job this week and move into the new house this weekend) so its a fair stretch for a dollar for about a fortnight.

any temp fix would be great as i could still get around, to and from work and move sh*t into the new joint. i will buy a reco'd starter next weekend or might possibly have the brushes and bearings laying around in the garage somewhere might be able to repair it.

i dunno, see how we go i guess

Just to get you through:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FORD-FALCON-BA-6CYL-STARTER-MOTOR-/350490141686?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item519ad723f6

Check you battery terminals.... give them a clean.....

Wont cost you nothing if you have some sandpaper lying around....

with the help of a neighbour...

we put a multi meter on the battery then down the line ending up at the starter.
all seemed okay.
got told to check for power steer oil dripping onto the alternator...its clean as a whistle.
did the old rock back and forward and pushing around....no luck.
did the 'whack the dash, run finger over circuit board, etc.....nup.
battery terminals looked clean.
changed the starter relay....still nothing.
cracked the sh*ts and disconnected battery, undone top starter bolt....
as i was jacking the car up i just happened to look over at the positive terminal lead
& caught a glimpse of the INSIDE of the terminal.
so then & there i attacked it with the wire brush.
did the top starter bolt up finger tight.
turned key to START position....
kicked over first click no worries.
re-tested starting NUMEROUS times to make sure.
tightened up top starter bolt, lowered car.

all seems good.

D'OH !

sounds like the throwout in the starter is nacked had a similar prob in the eb a little while agi changed the starter and it works find. little bits of plastic s**t went all through the starter.