Car won't start, then randomly starts

Replaced the battery last Thursday and so far everything is good. Scanguage is showing 13.4-14.0 volts while running.
Thanks for everyone's input.

 

My son has the 2004 Tacoma and had this exact problem. Randomly won't start. Has had it to a mechanic several time. Suddenly it starts....then a week or two later....guess what? Darn thing wont start. Read the thread about the frame replacement and having ground issues. The frame on his was a recall replacement. Any suggestions? He is not very mechanically inclined and lives out of state. Obviously mechanic isn't either. Please help! Any suggestions are welcome.

 

Was the frame replaced when your son owned the truck?

 

Your battery is 2 years old, why would it die?

 

Pvt Pablo may not be around - post was made March 2016.

A car battery can die the day you buy it. Any electrical/electronic item can.

 

Frame was newly replaced at the dealers when he bought it. Warranty frame.

 

when did he buy the truck?

 

The dealer had just replaced it prior to him buying it.

 

I think it was in 2010 or so

 

maybe your Tacoma ( truck ) just doesn't like being referred to as" car "---sorry , couldn't help myself -had to get that 1 in --heeheehee

 

2010 with a new frame - I'm going to go out on a limb and "assume" the problem is not related to the frame replacement.

There are countless things that can cause the intermittent no start issue.

I'm going to suggest just one that is fairly simple.

Have your son buy a battery brush. here's what one looks like - available at auto parts stores:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...VQ9bACh3oWAnJEAQYAiABEgKF9fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

He will also need a 10mm wrench - box end type. Remove the negative cable first; then the positive. Clean both battery posts with the brush and the inside of the cables as well. One part of the brush cleans the posts - the other cleans the cable piece that connects to the battery post(s). Reconnect positive cable first; negative cable last. This is done to first ensure the posts and cable are clean and snug - good connections. Best to wear some sort of eye protection while doing this.

Now take the car to a real repair shop and have battery tested - not Auto Zone. No point in testing battery until you know the posts/cables are clean and snug.

If the battery checks out, then things get more complicated. Someone with skills is going to have to LOOK at the vehicle. A lot of people here will chime in and say do this - do that, but w/o skills and diagnostic equipment, it ain't gonna happen. He'll need to confer with friends/co-workers for a decent repair shop. My 2 cents

 

Not sure if the above reply was directed to me or the previous person who commented and called their truck a "car"????

 

If anyone is getting 13v (+/-) Charging system is probably ok, I know with 1st gens when all else checks out within specs, its time to check starter they tend to be real batt. killers before they fail altogether...

 

Who has summoned me?!

Haha when I made that post I had a six year old Tacoma that lived it's life in two extemes of the Canadian border and Puerto Rico