Starter Questions

[Pigdog]

So back during the winter when we where having single digit lows, my 00 LX started turning over very slowly, but would start.
Knowing I had an older battery, but still under warranty, I replaced it and slow starting went away for a while.

About rwo months ago, it started doing the slow turn over thing again. Little bit of research and it sounded like the starter was going bad. I was getting ready to take it in and it finally stranded me with a no start condition with everything else electrical seeming to work, just not the starter.
After having it towed to my local mechanic, they diagnosed it as loose battery connections (I did check those while waiting for a tow truck, they weren't loose) and sent me on my way.

Last week, I noticed that when running errands, it would turn over fine first thing, but each time after, it would just be a little slower each time.
This Saturday, after the fourth time starting it, it barely turned over but did start. But since I had things to do, pulled it out of the way and have been using the truck instead.

So I'm asking for the group consensus:
New starter, yeah or nay?
Or am I missing something. Everything else electrical seems to work and the gauge shows it is charging although I haven't put a meter to it yet.

 

[Rhetoric]

These do not seem like starter failure symptoms.

Are you running an AGM battery or flooded lead-acid?

I would be putting a multi-meter on not only the batt terminals while running, but at the alternator as well. The gauge is sort of accurate, but it would be nice to verify you are getting a correct charge voltage.

I would also be looking at the integrity of the battery cables and grounding points.

Stick with the charging system basics first before throwing money at a starter.

 

[Pigdog]

Well, I pulled and cleaned all the ground locations that I could access, and pulled and cleaned the battery connections.

Still having same issue. First start in the morning is fine. Second time starting is still okay. Then progressively turning over slower and slower each time.

Battery voltage this morning was 12.6 before starting and 14 immediately after with engine running so I know the alternator is at least working even if a little high on the output end. I'm not able to climb underneath to check connections due to knee surgery.

Further suggestions?