Originally posted by The Davis:
Hey all. I've been having some issues w/ the Zetec lately. Some of the tests I've already ran and how the issued appeared can be found here:

http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=zetecmaint&Number=983778&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

and here:

http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=zetecmaint&Number=1013461&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=93&fpart=1

This morning I went out and cleaned up the terminals, checked the alternator connections and tried to start it. It sounded very odd. I'll try to describe it, but don't know how this will come out:

Instead of a defined sound between each revolution of the engine; it was like one, long sound with no definition as the engine turned. The timing belt was turning, but I don't know if it's the normal speed or not.

I'll probably yank the starter this weekend and have it tested, but I just wanted some opinions before I go through the trouble.

P.S. Props to Hector if this is the issue. He mentioned when I first posted about it that I should consider the starter.

This sounds exactly like when my starter went bad.

Hector 2003 Rally Red Mitsubishi Evolution VIII 257HP/259TQ 2005 Lapis Blue Mazda 6s RET: 00 Cabernet Red Ford Contour Zetec ATX SUPERCHARGED 160HP/141TQ