I'm doubting it's internal in the starter, as it's done it with 3 starters (one old one that had been on for 5 years, a chinese knock off, then the Arrowhead starter i recently got), guess next i'll replace the connector at the starter solenoid, and then try the relay. I doubt it's a bad cell in the battery, as i would think that would appear during cranking also, and when it cranks, it cranks it over fast. no drag or anything.