Bongo Fury

More and more frequently our Freda is reluctant to start. The starter will not turn, it is not jammed or a low battery because the lights etc do not dim. A couple of movements of the auto gear lever through neutral and back to park seems to clear the problem and the starter turns. It seems to be a problem with the gear change interlock.

Any hints as to what to do to resolve this problem

do a search for starter motor contacts - you can get a set cheaper than replacing the motor

Dandy - do you is a there a possibility that it is the safety switch that is linked to the gear lever? Do I vaguely remember someone else having a problem like this recently?

maxi_77 - have a good search on here as both these possibilities have I think been discussed. Provided the engine is firing quickly once the starter motor turns, it doesn't sound like this is going to be a major problem to fix once the cause has been ID'd

When my starter contacts were on their last legs, flicking up and down the inhibitor switch on the gear lever helped for a short time - then the problem got worse so it was time to change the contacts. I only went for the contact kit - not the plunger as well - it cleaned up just fine - about a fiver sorted the problem out from memory - that was about 18 months ago

someone else having a problem like this recently?

IIRC the OP who had this issue recently found that it was indeed the solenoid contacts - he put the interaction with the interlock down to a red herring. Sounds from Dandy's comment that this isn't a one-off where 'exercising' the interlock can help in the short term. Don't know why it would help, but clearly it can.

Thanks for the comments on the starter motor contacts took it apart at the weekend and they were worn and dirty. New contacts ordered.

Thanks again to all