Solenoid clicking - Starter Motor or link?

[trebormint]

Car didn't start last night, all I could hear was the solenoid clicking away. Push started to get it going. Once back home, stopped engine and tried to start - clicking solenoid again.

THought was going to have to push start this morning, but thought I'd try starting it on the key - and it did!

Once at work, stopped and tried starting again - no problems. repeated 5 or 6 times.

Now not sure if I need to replace starter motor.

Phoned up local car parts place and they said it could be the link between solenoid and starter?

How do you get to the starter motor on a Toledo 1.9Tdi (02)?

 

[NiSk]

Since the solenoid is integrated with the starter motor, any "link" would be inside the stater motor unit.
Your most probable causes are
1) starter motor brushes worn down (tapping the starter motor with a heavy object when it "clicks" will probably reseat the brushes and cause it start working again - for a while).
2) solenoid contacts burnt/worn (same trick as above might work a few times)

Both the above need the starter motor to be removed for permanent repair.

3) dodgy connection/contacts in ingition lock switch - you'll need to get some measuring gear (multimeter) out to check this - but only after checking 1) and 2) above.

Not sure exactly which side of the engine your starter is - it will be bolted onto the engine side of the clutch housing either front or back.

 

[Muttley]

Starter is underneath the battery tray at the front of the engine compartment, lying alongside the gearbox.

 

[trebormint]

Tried new battery first, worked well for a week.

Then starter motor problems again.

Removed the starter motor - really is the easiet I've ever done -apart from needing a spanner I didn't have -18mm!!!

There is a link between the solenoid and starter body. This had corroded and melted away in one place....though it was original starter and has now done 160k.

All sorted now thanks