1998 Toyota Tacoma Starter Issues?

Ill try to make this short....

I have a 98' Tacoma 2.4 single cab. I had the battery replaced 2 weeks ago at Advanced Auto. While having the battery replaced, I also had the alternator tested and it was perfect. Two days later, the truck wouldn't turn over. It had power coming to it from the battery. The lights come on, air blows, radio works, etc. For shits and giggles (to rule out battery power issues), I even tried to jump it with jumper cables and still no luck. I went back to Advanced Auto and they said it could be the starter. I tried tapping the starter with a hammer and still nothing. I took the starter out today and had it tested at Advanced and O'Rileys and both places told me that the starter is working. My question is, understanding that those tests can be inconclusive, should I just buy and install a new starter or should I look into other potential issues?

TIA!

 

Do a search here in this sub-forum of first gens for starter contacts. There might even be a sticky at the top here in first gen forum. Assuming all battery connections are perfectly intact you're likely looking at doing the starter contacts. Do NOT replace the whole oem high quality Denso starter for some reman. Order the 2 contacts and plunger and replace those. 20 bucks in parts and extra half hour, maybe hour being super slow and cautious first timer and not difficult at all.

 

The starter is not original. It's remanufactured. Do you recommend that I still start with new contacts, hose and a plunger?

 

Here it is

 

pull it apart and give it a cleaning. Youll be able to tell if the brushes are to worn and need replaced or just dirty.