For about the past week my '98 TF 3.0L Auto hasn't been starting great - From memory it would give a little tick at first turn and nothing more. On the second turn it would start a little sluggishly. This morning it looks to have given up the ghost - just makes a low whine/whir when the key is turned.

The battery isn't too old and looks to be strong - full radio and lights etc. Starter motor looks shot eh? Any tricks to try?

Thanks in advance.

Are you sure about the battey? Could be a poor connection at the battery terminals. Check the voltage at the terminals while someone trys to start it.

Are you sure about the battey?

No, I'm not sure - car has a niggling history of battery / electricial issues.

Use a multimeter, and test the voltage:
With everything off.
High beam on, engine off and engine running.
While cranking.

Give us some numbers and we will tell you if it is the battery, alternator or starter motor.

it could be anything really, but if it is starter motor, what i found that did the trick to at least get it started is locate the starter from under the car, and give it a little tap with a hammer (might have to do this a few times), i had to do this with my old TF while i was waiting on a new starter to turn up. now if your starter is too far gone, no amount of tapping will work lol

Use a multimeter, and test the voltage:

Bought a decent multimeter (long overdue):
Battery with everything off: 12.57v
Headlights / Highbeams on: 12.12v / 11.98v
Everything off and trying to start: 12.03v

locate the starter from under the car, and give it a little tap with a hammer

Edit: Found it tucked under the bend of the front exhaust pipe. Tried tapping the end of the starter part with a large spanner from the underside (looks impossible to reach from the top). Now I hear a click and grind before the whining, sounds as if it's almost about to turn the engine. Sounds like the "first turn" of the last week - except the second turn doesn't start it. Try hitting it harder? I'd really like this car to be able to get me to work today.. EDIT - hitting it harder didn't change anything. There's a moderate amount of oil/grime build up on it.

This post (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99864&highlight=starter) leads me to believe tearing it out wouldn't be too difficult, even for someone as generally useless with cars as myself. Nearby wreckers said they had one for $75 (and an alternator for the same price if it comes to that). Chances of me being able to replace the starter with a $50 toolkit from Supercheap and jacking the RS front wheel up? Can anyone tell me what tools I'll need?

Bought a decent multimeter (long overdue):
Battery with everything off: 12.57v
Headlights / Highbeams on: 12.12v / 11.98v
Everything off and trying to start: 12.03v

Battery is fine, alternator probably ok as well.
Starter defective, voltage should drop to 9 to 10 V while cranking and rise slowly to 14.4 V once engine is running.

Oil leaks onto the starter motor can wreck it over the long term. Oil gets into the solenoid and carbons it up.
Remove and replace starter motor only needs basic tools (spanners). Disconnect battery first.

(I'm assuming the battery terminals are clean and tight.)

I'm assuming the battery terminals are clean and tight.

They are, wirebrushed not long ago, loosened, wriggled and tightened today to no effect.

I'll try and pick up a 2nd hand Starter and some basic tools today for an attempted fix tomorrow morning. Thanks for your reply.

It helps to tap the starter when someone is turning the key. Sometimes the clutch in them sticks. So Nrma tells me anyway....

Good luck with replacing the starter, be sure to disconnect the battery negative terminal before replacing the starter. Big sparks will scare the shit out of you and you will probably blow a fuse.

I had a starter motor catch on fire from oil build up. Small fire extinguished on its own. I didn't even realise....lol

Success! Started first go. An easy job - except for that top bolt. Looking at the 2nd-hand Starter Motor I had made it easy to identify which two bolts needed removing. For anyone else attempting it (and who doesn't have the right extender to get into the minute gap) I'd recommend removing the bottom bolt first and loosening the top with a spanner (using micro-turns most likely) - then you may be able to lift the Starter Motor a bit with one hand to change the top bolt's angle and enable you to get a socket over it with the handle facing upwards and fitting through a small gap in the frame.