Hey guys, yesterday I had an issue with getting the truck started. When I cranked it, it cranked way slower than normal and wouldn’t start. After about 5 cranking attempts, the starter “zinged” like the bendix wasn’t engaging. It zinged twice, then fired right up like normal.
Battery voltage was 12.7 on one and 12.4 on the other with the batteries hooked up. After I got it started, battery voltage was 14 on both.
This is my 3rd starter in about 2 years, because all of my previous starters zinged/bendix didn’t engage. Granted whenever they zinged, the truck would always start eventually. When I put the 2nd starter on, I checked the flywheel and found no chipped or missing teeth. The batteries are pretty dirty, and the starter is covered in oil from a previous leak, so I plan on cleaning the batteries and starter up and seeing how it acts.

Any ideas as to why I’ve been through so many starters? The first two were from my local battery barn, and the current one is from Napa.