Hello,

My 14 1.9TD octavia has developed this odd problem. Yesterday it started from cold fine and it was cold really cold. I drove a few miles and when I came back to start it as I turned the key the motor sounded as if it was about the engage and then just started spinning much in the same way as a washing machine spinns ie turning rapidly but not engaging.

This has happened several times but only seems to occur when the engine has been started and later stopped. If the car is stone cold it seems to start normally..........any ideas?

it could be the brushes are worn take it off and give it a clean see how it goes.

hi i had this problem too and it turned out to be cam shaft censor.working fine now.

ok its at a local garage at the moment and they are making firther enquiries, I will report back.

Right, got it back today, the garage could not look at it immediately and then the snow hampered things but as I understand it the part that meshes up with the starter ring was not moving into position properly and despite the motor revolving it was simply not spinning the engine, it turned out to be easier to replace the motor rather than repair it so its now got a new one.

They told me the starter ring itself looks fine and does not appear to have suffered any damage so fingers crossed i'ts all sorted now.