Just my my starter off is there any way I can tell of it's a dud or not before I go out in the next coupe of hours to buy one

If you've taken it out, you can run it manually with some jump leads, but make sure its bolted down to something solid.

 

The cog should pop out and spin, then retract when you remove power, there are some videos on youtube.

Thanks so I've just tested it and the cog came out and was spinning does that mean it's not a dud

Another tip is to connect a voltmeter across the solenoid and look at the voltage drop when the motor is running. Motor stopped this will be around 12v (battery voltage). From memory running it should drop to about 0.5v . Any more and the solenoid contacts are dirty. Haynes doesent mention this ,although it's possible to get new brushes .

Right I've just bench tested again with a voltmeter and it lost about 1volt when running

http://s1293.photobucket.com/user/pete245/media/2236E386-815B-4280-AAF5-5898D869ED9F_zpsswj9xh1g.mp4.html

Think this is the right link

 While it may spin off the car, once its back on there will be considerable resistance due to compression etc. My starter is fine when the weather/car is warm, but struggles when the weather is cold. Also, ensure that your battery and earths are good. An auto electrician may be able to test it under load, for mine I have been quoted £35 if the overhaul is simple up to about £65. If it cannot be overhauled, unfortunately the starter fitted is a strange/expensive version and even off Ebay I am looking at £110 plus for a new replacement.

I've been quoted £76 for a replacement not genuine starter I've tested all the earth points to and from the starter although once or twice it had turned over, the problem is it's never given me any sign of failing like the clicking etc that would suggest the starter is on it's way out I may just have to bite the bullet and replace it

Without going on too much about Ohms law , in situ and working a starter takes a lot of current e.g a Fabia diesel is rated at 2KW @ 12v . That could be drawing well over 100A. Any slight bad connection is going to drop the 12v down . So a tip from the old school is to go looking for voltage drop , across contacts, connections etc. On my older bangers I used to polish up the solenoid contacts or give it to my mate who had a starter tester at work .

Right I've put a new starter on and still nothing, I've tested the connectors and there is 12v going to the starter so just don't know why it's not starting... Anyone else any ideas I've got the aa on route again as I rang them and told them they told my partner stating motor and that's been replaced and isn't that so not too happy that I've spent unnecessary money

Did you test that you get 12V at the solenoid connection while the key is in the cranking position?

 

The red-arrowed wire in this pic:

 

Yes I had the connector to the starter removed and it plugged into the end and then connected to the negative on the battery and it was pushing out 12v

Did you try wiggling the wire about near the cable-entry of the connector while measuring?

 

Just thinking that the wire might be bust inside the insulation, but still touching enough to give a 12V reading, but not making a good enough connection to take the current that the solenoid requires. Clutching at straws TBH, but maybe worth another check?

Problem solved it's the earth from the body to engine it's knackered, connected a wire from body to engine and fired straight up new earth cable it is, still a it peeved that I've paid out for a starter though

Well done.

All sorted now the aa man was great turned up told him the issue and he replaced the earth for me