Intermittent Starter Motor MK5 2.5 Di

[Rooster]

The starter on my MK5 2.5 Di Banana is playing up.

Sometimes it will start ok and sometimes the starter just clicks loudly.

It sounds like the solenoid is moving ok but it doesn't spin over.

I removed it and tested it and it worked out of the vehicle, solenoid moving and motor spinning, back in vehicle and it started fine, next day it just clicks again.

Have checked/cleaned cables/connections.

Any suggestions other than a new starter? Which parts are replaceable?

[Axle Grease]

Hi rooster, I dont know if this applies to your situation but two weeks ago i had finished work for the day. Jumped into my van. Turned the key to start her up and . . . click click click. The engine wouldn't turn over. To cut a long story short after trying, unsuccessfully, to locate a starter motor, i tryed to start it again. Same thing . . . click click click. This time however i had the bonnet up and was able to see that the negative terminal on the battery which was caked in a white powder actually smoked when i tryed to start the van. I tryed again and it did the same. This led me to look closer at my battery terminal clamp which, as it turned out was cracked and therefore not tightening fully. Luckily i had a jubilee clip handy and tightened it around my terminal clamp. Bingo van started 3 out of 3 times. No clicks. Like i said this may not be your answer but i would check this out. I almost bought a new battery (£95) and thought i needed a replacement starter motor. My van starts fine now.
Good luck.