Ford Street Ka starting issue

[L3nny]

My Mrs has a Ford Street Ka with a 1.6 Duratec engine.

This morning it wouldn't start, just a strange screeching noise when turning the key, sounded like it was coming from the starter motor.

An hour later, once some of the ice had melted it started first turn of the key without problems.

Anyone have any idea what could have caused it? Maybe the starter on the way out? Or would it be that the battery wasn't pushing out enough power for the cold started and once it was a bit warmer the power was sufficient?

She has just come back from a weekend in Newcastle where she got there and back without any problems.

And yes it is definitely her car, I am not a secret hairdresser

[Sid Squid]

Can be caused by low battery - the cold making it worse - meaning the starter gear doesn't spin up quick enough to engage, cold weather and aged, (or no), lubrication on the starter gear shaft can do the same. The gear on the starter doesn't engage correctly with the teeth on the flywheel, and the screeching you hear is the teeth scraping across each other, the gear can't 'throw out' far enough to engage and can't speed up enough because it's dragging.
Can be worth putting some spray lube, (thin only - thick grease can make it worse), on the shaft - a bit of lube/a little cleaning can improve matters without loads of dismantling.

[L3nny]

Thanks, would bike chain lube be okay?

sticky solenoid from the starter motor.

[NTECUK]

You need a dry lube like graphite as the clutch dust sticks to everything.