starting issue

[hpmachine]

I've been having this problem for a little while now. I think I've narrowed it down to a starter that's on its way out. about 75% of the time i try to start my car it just cranks and cranks and wont start. it starts right away when i jump it though. i had been using a stupid lawn and garden battery for a while and i thought that might be the problem so i replaced it with an optima redtop... same f-ing problem. i cleaned all my connections and made sure the starter was getting 12v with my multi-meter. still nothing again, when i jump the car from another car that is running, it starts immediately. once in while when i'm cold cranking the car it hitches like there is a bad spot on the starter. so ya think i've got a dying starter??? thanks

[hpmachine]

problem solved. it was a bad plug on an aftermarket security system that was causing the ignition/starting system to be short on voltage. after playing electrician for a few hours, i am once again a happy camper.