Correct Diagnosis?

[Radian]

OK here's the low-down.Went to my car yesterday, wounldn't crank. I tried a few times and it finally cranked and fired.At lunch I tried to start the car, wouldn't crank. Just 1 small click. Jumpstarted it and it fired.After work I tried to start it and the same 1 click deal. No go on the jump. I swaped in a new battery from a co-worker, still no start. Cleaned the ground connections, no go.My Bro came out and wacked the starter with a hammer, and it fired and ran right away. Did it again just to make sure, and it seems like that is the problem.So, is it the starter? What exactly goes wrong in it that can be 'fixed' by hitting it with a hammer, is it bearings or something?

Unrelated: About how many miles can you get out of a clutch on a stock '93 240?

Thanks guys

[Hijacker]

starters begin to develop "dead spots" on them once they start getting old. The starter will land on the dead spot, and won't turn over. One trick to try next time is to rock the car back and forth and see if that allows you to start the car. Another trick (and my personal favorite when I was a kid) was to have the car pushed and then pop the clutch. If you want reliable starting again, though, you're gonna have to get a new starter. Unless you like being pushed around

[[Zero-S]]

Another trick (and my personal favorite when I was a kid) was to have the car pushed and then pop the clutch.

Thats so much fun:D

But yeah, new/rebuilt starter.

[Phax]

Sounds a lot like the starter. I was going to say battery terminals, until you mentioned that you cleaned them. Bart is right on with the starter dead spot theory. It's wierd, but that's what happens.

[Dattebayo]

No doubt, mine did the exact same thing. And i ran around in it by popping the clutch for 2 weeks, sometimes on flat ground (*huff, huff*)! Not good for my clutch, i guess...

[Hijacker]

my old DSM had that happen. And one time it landed on the spot while I was at the grocery store. I had to get my coworkers (i worked there at the time), push the car so I could get it started again.

[Radian]

BOGUS!Well, I found a used 'recently rebuilt' starter for $35, so that hopefully will save me some change.