Starter "flat spot" - what's causing this?

[Kneale Brownson]

Time to go through the starter again.

At 11:23 AM 10/23/2005 -0400, Radek wrote:
>Hello everyone;
>
>For quite a few months now, my 1988 90Q has suffered from this intermittent
>problem.  Sometimes the car starts like a champ, other times you turn the
>key and ... silence.   There is power draw (voltage drops) but nothing
>moves, clicks or otherwise.  Total silence.  Push start.
>
>The starter was rebuilt a couple of years ago.  So far, I've replaced the
>ignition switch, put in a new battery and a new battery ground cable.  Still
>the same.  I've developed a habit of parking at elevated spots with a clear
>line ahead.  However, winter is coming and having a starter that works 100%
>of the time would be nice.
>
>As a note, I found one way of dealing with the issue:
>When the starter wouldn't work, I put the car into second gear and rock it,
>trying to get the engine to rotate forward.  After such treatment it would
>often start.  However, a strange, grinding noise persists for a few seconds
>after the engine has started and then something disengages, everything
>returns to normal.
>Any clues?
>Thanks.
>
>Radek
>88 90Q
>91 V8Q 5-sp.
>
>
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