I'm not sure if it's related to your starting problem, but you should see close to 12V with the engine off and 14.0-14.5V with it running. I'd get your alternator and battery checked soon.

 

Still, those numbers are too low. I'd check them by putting a DMM on the battery terminals, taking a reading, then starting the engine and taking another reading. Should be ~12.0V and 14.0-14.5V, no less. At least then you'll know whether it's a crap voltmeter on the TT or a dodgy alternator/battery that might strand you... I think mine's the same. Only 115,000km (72,000 miles) on it, but despite a new battery and good voltage it still cranks real slow. Starts every time though!

 

chris, don't replace the starter yet. This is a very common problem that involves the starter not being fully grounded. Meaning, its trying to start off a very skinny wire. Try running about 2 feet of 4-gauge wire from the firewall to the engine block (behind the intake, there's a nice bolt) or directly to the alternator. (good bolt too)... i did that in my car, and the starter started up much nicely since then.

 

try measureing the resistance of your neg. bat. cable.

 

Does the sound seem like something is short-circuited ? You know, a persistent "buzzzzzzzzzzzz" or clicking noise ? Or does it come directly from the starter's electromagnetic "motor" ?

(god damn, I cannt believe I cannt remember the english word for the component that is made up from curled wire, you know, like "resistance, capacitor, and .......")

Seems like another electrical issue, or your starter is indeed starting to "die"....

 

Dont you have those "U-Pull" type of junkyards over there ? Seems like a lot of the guys here in the Forum have been very lucky in finding things for their Rexes. And I distinctly remember someone saying just yesterday that he has 2 almost new starters that he found in one of those junkyards, and paid only 15 bucks or something....