Starter motor wiring help needed

After a bit of muddy offroading the starter motor started to perform badly and was struggling more and more. Searched the forum and learned to take the motor and solenoid out and clean both with petrol, which I did (or was it the motor only ?)

As said when I took it out the motor worked, but was struggling. Now after a thorough clean and long dry there is nout. Trying to test it on the bench but nothing. Wired bat - to housing, bat + to either large screw on bottom but nothing. No solenoid click, no motor spin when directly wired to wire coming from the bottom of the motor.

All I get is little sparks when connecting + and - from bat.

I am thinking that I am doing something wrong here, because both solenoid and motor to fail after taking it apart sounds weird. Or not ?

Any suggestions ?

Thanks,

Mike

Thinking of testing part by part.

Can anybody say how to test the solenoid or motor separately ?

Thanks.

Update:

Brought it to Auto Electrical Services, North Road Cardiff.

They Reconditioned it, i.e. changed the brushes and soldered it here and there.
Also cleaned it inside. It was mentioned that the bakelite holder had started to melt where the worn brushes got too hot.

Reconditioning cost £67.

Good for another life !


Mike