battery was low, ?

Sounds like the earth strap has either broken off the engine/gearbox or the connection has got rusty and not making a contact. Try connecting a good quality jump lead from the battery earth staight to the mounting of the starter motor giving both a good clean with a wire brush first. If it starts you know where problem lies I did have a mondeo starter motor that had lost the earth connection between the gearbox and its body and had to remove it and really give both surfaces a good scrubbing with very rough emery cloth to make the contact again.

arizona kid
November 2011

getting 12 volts on wire at starter

jim
November 2011

check if there is 12v at the starter motor on the small wire when you turn the key to start,if there is suspect duff battery/starter,if you get it running check the output from the alternator,should be 14v+,also make sure all connections are tight and clean at battery/earths/starter

cdc
November 2011