Starter dead spot?

Hi Guys

I'm having bit of a weird issue starting with my 1998 Yamaha 115hp. It will start up, but because she is cold, she'll died shortly after, nothing to strange for a 2 stroke. Try start again and nothing. Can hear the click but nothing spinning. Manually rotate starter with a screw driver (not shorting just turn gear) and she'll start again. This only happens sometimes. Sometimes she will start 3 or 4 times in a row no issue. The fix is always the same. Has anyone else had this issue? Though it might be sticky but put some grease on the shaft and issue is still there. Don't want to fork out some $$ if there could be a simple fault

My bet is that a new set of brushes will fix it.----Lot cheaper than new factory starter.----And a lot better fix than Chinese copy of one.

Thanks. Took starter in to get sorted but according to technician, it was DOA. Got a new one and what a difference. Rotation is so much faster and starts easier.