Ford Fiesta occasionally starter just makes a noise but wont start.

[Burnerman]

It sounds like the solenoid isn’t throwing out the driving dog before spinning the motor, or at least not every time.
Definitely a pre engaged starter.
John

 

[blup]

It was an intermittent fuel tank pump issue on mine (not fiesta)

Bluo

 

[motorbiking]

New starter was cheap enough, so given the effort we decided to replace rather than have the hassle of taking it out cleaning it and putting it back together. Seems to have fixed the issue. Might bench test old one to see.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Might bench test old one to see.

They have quite a bit of torque, and hurt your toes if they jump off the bench - best lash it down.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

They have quite a bit of torque, and hurt your toes if they jump off the bench - best lash it down.

Sounds like experience of it happening