I have a similar problem.
When I install a battery freshly trickle charged overnite the starter action
is as I think it should be. After running a while(?) it returns to the old
"hesitant" spinning. I wonder if the alternator is putting out a lower than
normal voltage? (Haven't put a meter on it yet).
Tim
Pensacola, Fl

In a message dated 07/28/2001 9:10:54 AM Central Daylight Time,
psavage@SABER.NET writes:
Morning List,
Thanks for all the stabs at my Cold Start Mystery!
My connectors are squeaky clean at battery terminal.
The *last thing I replaced before this began was the alternator:
I installed a rebuilt Bosch. Any possible connection there?

When I turn the key, there is a sound immediately, but it's as if
in slow motion, a sort of groan...then it starts right up. When it
first started doing this, I figured it must be the battery getting old.
And replacing the battery did help, but only to the extent that the
amount of time it takes to start is shorter--but there is still a groan
before it starts when cold.
Warm, it always starts right up.
???
Phaedra