Does this sound like it needs a new starter motor?

[garethj]

Because it's £120 and if it's a wiring fault I don't want to waste the money.

 

Battery is a few months old, turn the key and I get no solenoid clunk, but the battery voltage drops from 12 to about 8.  Hold the key for a few seconds and I get a whiff of burning from a wiring connector in the engine bay.  I've taken the connector apart and cleaned it, still the same.

 

Same if I put a battery charger on the car while I try and crank it.

 

If I try and jump start from another car, more power than from my charger I think, I get the same, until after a few seconds the solenoid eventually clicks.  But the starter doesn't turn.

 

Wires to the starter are all good, connections are clean.

 

My theory is the solenoid is stuck and the teeny wires from the ignition are drawing high current to try and move it.  That's why they're getting hot.

 

When I jump start from another car it's keeping the voltage up and eventually enough to pull the solenoid but it's suitably fucked so it doesn't turn the starter motor.  If so, new starter motor is needed.

 

Thoughts and experiences please  

[Bobthebeard]

Short circuit somewhere springs to mind...

Either that or the starter is actually borked.

[twosmoke300]

What car is it?