My car became a 100% reliable DD after swapping my second Lucas starter for the geared Denso sold here.  Outside the mini world, these things are just about universal among british car owners.  The same unit sold here is used on E-types - so you can just about drive around on the starter alone.

Don was great to swap me two rebuilt Lucases but between the crap brush connections and sticky bendix behaviour, I am so glad to have that very weak link off the car now.  No more crossing my fingers turning the key.

Now you know why Mini starters have that little square knob on the back end. Not all starters do.

That and the start button built into the solenoid were two of the things I liked about MK1 Minis. Sometimes it is just as Jedduh01 says... sticky bendix.

Cool, thanks

Good jumping in and finding the problem is the Starter motor and the Bendix.

Sounds like your Bendix could use a little Dry Lube-- Graphite Etc.. (wet lube will fly everywhere and could get the clutch wet. 

Remove again- Lube up- Try again. 

Hmm ok well I did a search for bendix on here and found more info.  Before removing the starter motor I tried turning the piece on the end and it did turn freely.  I removed the motor and inspected the bendix and flywheel and both appeared to be in good condition.  I checked all nearby and connected wires and saw no obvious issues.  I put it all back together, tried the ignition and it worked.  The only thing I'm noticing now is that I can hear the starter motor continue to run for a second or so after turning over the engine.

New starter motor time or do you guys think it's more likely to be a hidden wiring issue somewhere?

I can hear what I'm guessing is the starter motor whirring at a very hi speed... definately not a power supply issue I'm thinking.  What/where is a bendix and how is it replaced Or the issue remedied?  That's a new one for me.

I agree.  If you have an inertia starter and you hear it spinning (and it sounds like it's going at high-speed) but it doesn't engage the ring gear on the flywheel... it probably is the Bendix.

It could be a weak battery not spiining the starter fast enough but more likely the bendix is jammed or broken.

tried to start the mini this morning and when I turn the key I hear the click and the starter go vrummmm, but it doesn't seem like the engine engagin and trying to turn over.  I have the wiring loom shown on page 12a*29 in the blue Haynes book.  Anyone have some suggestions of where to start looking for the issue.  Im not too savy on electrical issues and tend to spend a lot of time tracing down what is sometimes a very simple issue.

thanks guys.