Mongrel starter is dead now. Wire wiggling didnt help this morning so is starter dead or is I a wiring or connection issue?? Started strongly when electric was getting to the starter, even yesterday.

sounds like the wiggling has finally broken the wire.

Someone else has said the solenoid in the starter can stick and wiggling this wire can "excite" the solenoid to free up again. The wiring to the plug looks in good order although tough to see in massive detail when looking into the depths of my engine bay....

Have you tried tapping the starter with the wooden end of a hammer to see ifyou can get it to work..?

Might be stuck.

Someone else has said the solenoid in the starter can stick and wiggling this wire can "excite" the solenoid to free up again. The wiring to the plug looks in good order although tough to see in massive detail when looking into the depths of my engine bay....

Sort the problem you know was there first. If you have a multimeter, see if there's continuity between the plug/terminal and a pin stuck through the insulation a little further back. Or bite the bullet and run a new length of wire and connector.

J.

For me the issue was the actual plug and not the wire. Wiggling would cure it, until eventually.... it didn't any more.

I replaced the plug with a female spade connector type thing that I had laying about (fits fine!), put plenty of tape around as without the proper plug there's a huge gap... and it's been spot on since

Good luck!