Funny startup sequence

Looking for some thoughts on where I should focus my attention on this one...

I own a 2012 TRD Sport with approx. 100,000 miles on it. I have only owned it since the beginning of August.

Now that the weather is cold, twice now, the truck has not started as normal. Both times it has been on a cold morning.

What happens is, I turn the key and everything sounds normal, so I don't feel it's the battery, but just before it fully turns over, it stops! This morning it started on the second try, but the other time it took three tries.

Open to thoughts on this?

 

Sounds like Starter. Starters aren't too expensive. But you can also try changing the battery first.

What does the voltage read on battery before and after you start car. If you see a big drop after a few starts and no driving it could be battery.

ANother possibility is the alternator isnt charging well enough so the battery is low because of that. In my experience sometimes I never figure out which one it is but I end of changing all three.

Bad alternator can kill a good battery
Good battery can hide bad starter (for a while)
Good battery can hide a dying alternator

Its a vicious circle.

 

Thanks zerotimeouts,

This doesn't sound like it's going to be fun figuring this one out. Hoping it's not going to be expensive!

Appreciated your reply!

 

Starter contacts. $15 plus time to take out starter from the truck