Have a 91 Firebird 3.1V6auto I bought a couple weeks ago. Was listed as having starting issues - sporadically taking 3 or 4 turns of key to start.

Drove it for a week and most of the time it would start first time, however sometimes it sounded like starter wasnt catching the flywheel, starter motor would just rev up real fast. It would however catch after a few attempts. Seemed to be worse in cold weather.

A few days ago I got under the car to give the connections on the starter solenoid a good clean, i noticed when i tried to loosen the bolts holding the cables onto the solenoid, that the internal of the solenoid was a little loose within the metal housing. I gave it a little wire brush and went to start - wouldnt start even after about 8 attempts. 9th attempt I turned the key and gave it a little gas at same time and fired right up. After driving for half an hour, i turned it off and started it again, fired up first time without giving some gas.

Now today after swapping my front brake pads, I went out, started first time with some gas pedal. Parked at my moms on a steep hill facing downwards. Tried to start 5 mins later and wouldnt start not even with some gas, just kept slipping. After about 9 attempts it reluctantly started. Parked up 15 mins later, started first time with some gas.

I have no problem changing the starter but would just like some advice on what this could be, and i guess confirmation that a rotten starter would cause all of the above?

PS - it runs like a dream when running, absolutely no problems.