Starter Issues Options

[solidxsnake]

So my car hasn't been starting at the first turn of the key for the past week or so. It would click once at the turn of the key to "START" and nothing else. After a certain number of turns, the starter would crank the engine and it'll fire right up no problem. Yesterday, I pulled the starter out (what a hassle =_=) and popped open the solenoid and cleaned the contacts and plunger with alcohol... Put it back in and still no start on the first turn. However, I took the car out later in the night, and every time last night when I turned the key, it started right up on the first turn. Today when I left my house, it started after a few turns, but afterwards all day it started on the first turn.

When it just clicks, there is the loud click of the solenoid plunger, and then there's a hum for as long as I hold the key at "START." What is the hum I'm hearing? I really hope it's not the starter motor on its way out, as I just ordered a set of solenoid contacts. The hum sounds very similar to the hum of the windshield washer pump, but a little more muffled.

Also, every so often when the starter cranked the engine, especially today, it would crank for a second and then the cranking would slow down significantly, and then it would speed back up and the engine would fire. I'm worried that possibly something in the motor or gear reduction assembly is slipping, causing the motor to not crank the engine.

Any ideas? If worse comes to worst, I'll just pick up a remanufactured starter. I hope that maybe the contacts will just fix it, but after today when the cranking slowed down, I'm worried that possibly the motor or gear reduction assembly is on its way out.