2001 Mondeo 2Litre. Starter not Working. Manual G/box, Zetec

[CJ2]

Starter motor does not engage with flywheel (much), but does sound as if its rotating. Gone from 2nd use of key required to not starting at all.
Where is the starter please, and how do I get it out to examine?
Should I try just charging the battery (the optimist)?
If I can get the starter out, is it worth trying to grease the 'Bendix', or should I just accept fatalistically and get another starter motor?

[woodchopper]

If you do manage to get it out - dont put grease on the bendix pinion - they are not supposed to be greased - it will attract dust/dirt and foul it up even more - take it to an auto-electrician and get it overhauled or exchanged.
The starter is usually at the gearbox end of the engine on most cars.

[CJ2]

Many Thanks for your timely information, woodchopper.

I've been thinking - for the last two weeks my wife has been using the car, on lots of short journeys, as her automatic Fiesta has again become almost unmanageable at low revs. So I'm hoping again that the problem is really too much discharge of battery and insufficient charge between starts.

You can tell I'm not keen on crawling underneath in the hail and snow to find this starter motor can't you! Unfortunately I can't verify my theory yet as I can't find the battery charger!

I'll have a look for the gearbox in the morning. Or join the AA.

[mech29]

You will find the starter at the back of the engine, So you will have to jack the front of your car. don't for get to support it as well, Slide underneath from the front, at the back of the engine just above the downpipe your will see the starter it will have a red wire going to it. Before taking it off, undo the battery!!! or spark's with fly about. There are three pins holding it to the gearbox, undo them and it should slided past the downpipe and out. Then just do the reverse to put it back. I hope that helps? good luck!!
PS. Like Woodchopper said, Don't grease the bendix.

[CJ2]

Mech29, Many Thanks for your reply. I managed to find the charger and it started first time. So I'm hoping I won't have to climb underneath, but will watch it for the next week or so.
I'll follow your instructions to the letter if I have to do the dirty deed. Thanks again.