The battery had enough power to engage the starter solenoid , but not enough power to turn the starter motor, the solenoid then starts clattering, hence the noise.dear all, you are all superstars. just a flat battery and all fixed. thanks very much for all your responses. to be honest i have never heard this strange clattering sound with a flat battery but you learn something every day
tony
As above.....but explained in more detail.Just to be technical, with an almost flat battery, when the solonoid engages the starter the voltage drops because of the extra load so the solonoid drops out and disconnects the starter, there is now enough voltage to operate the solonoid again, but when it engages the voltage drops ........
No problem, no offence takenWotan
I wasn't trying to outdo you, just give a cause and effect explanation.
Peter