Starter Motor Replacement

kristanuk2 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 11:19 am Hello all, first post here.
The wife has a C3 Pluriel that has decided it no longer wants to start and apparently has been having difficulty starting for some time (lovely wife keeping that to herself).
So the car does not want to start from the key, all dash lights illuminate but when i try to give the final turn to initate the starter there is a click from the passenger side are and all the dash lights go out.
Therefore I have done a search and used what information I could find (which led me here in the first place, lots of helpful posts) by checking the fuses in the glove box, checking the fuses under the bonnet including those underneath that fuse box as well. All the fuses are fine and none have blown.
Wondering if the starter was stuck I put the car in gear and gave it a rock to see if it would then free the starter and start the engine, but nothing.
Next was to try push starting, it fired straight up.
Whilst it was running I checked the battery and alternator to find it was charging perfectly.
Stopped the engine and tried to restart but again nothing.
Have now tried to test the voltage to the starter motor (what a position to get too) and it is receiving a constant 12v supply but then turning the key and holding for a second it starts to smoke, leading me to believe that the starter is knackered (please advise if you disagree).

Looking on the usual UK websites for a replacement starter motor there are a number of different makes, most of which are refurbished items and most of the fitment details are the exact same. Only thing that changes is the make and the surcharge.

Could anyone provide any more help either with diagnosis and/or which starter to get as a replacement.

Not looking forward to trying to remove the starter that is for sure.


Thank you all.