In a way, could start a repair (5)
I believe the answer is:
patch
'a repair' is the definition.
(I have seen 'temporary repair' mean 'patch' so perhaps 'repair' could also mean 'patch')
'in a way could start' is the wordplay.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'a way' becomes 'path' (path is a kind of way**).
'start' says to take the initial letters.
The first letter of 'could' is 'c'.
'path' placed around 'c' is 'PATCH'.
(Other definitions for patch that I've seen before include "Piece of cloth put on another" , "Small piece of ground" , "Piece of cloth as decoration or to cover a hole" , "Piece of material sewn over a hole" , "Material used to cover a tear" .)