Do 6.5 starters get weaker? The Starter is OEM. my experience with starters is their impending doom is foretold by grinding or intermittent starts because of bad brushes or that whizzing sound when the solenoid is bad. I have two new OEM batteries installed, I haven't double checked the connections yet. If I need a new starter what numbers am I looking for. Lots of starters out there that fit the 6.5 from $86 to $186 in price.