Temperamental starter or something else ?

[PeteandNikki]

I have a 2.1 DJ Auto Caravelle (1990) that I bought to use as a work horse for ferrying muddy boys after rugby etc.
It was starting and running ok when left just before the end of last year. When I tried to move it about a month ago I guess the battery was a little flat but it turned over ok at first for a couple of attempts then nothing. Ignition lights are on and don’t dim when key turned as not even a ‘click’ from the starter. I checked all connections at the starter and all seemed ok. I ran out of time to fiddle so left it until this evening when I thought I’d try again, so hooked up to a spare battery and it turned over a few times but the battery was not that good so I swapped it for a fully charged jump pack and now I’m back to square one with all the same previous symptoms!
Anyone got any ideas?

[davidoft1]

Try wiggling the gearstick it could be the inhibitor switch

[RogerT]

Check how many volts reach the starter solenoid, you may not have enough if your wiring is original and your battery is sub-optimal. (Multimeters are very useful and very cheap ~£10). Check out CovKids bit in the wiki on wiring. The wire to the starter solenoid tends to corrode.