Tacoma 2007 Intermittent Starting Issue

Mechanics! Please advise.. We adopted this truck from my father-in-law. Recently we've been having some starting issues. Occasionally it will single click/no start but if I hold the key in the cranking position for a couple of seconds it turns over. Battery and alternator test out fine. Fuses are good and 12v power to the starter checks out. So, what would you guys be looking for? I'd take any and all suggestions as it would help me cross check my own list. I'm in the early stages of getting my head around this and want to skip the visit to the shop. The truck has been running fine up until now so I'm thinking it's something straight forward (hoping, anyways). Thank you kindly for your time.

 

When you say 12v to the starter. Does that mean the control wire and the main wire?
Voltage drop test across the big wire on the starter to rule out a bad connection/wire.
If that checks out good, I’d say it’s the starter.

 

If the control wire is the one going to the ignition, then yes. I call it a "trigger" wire. How much voltage drop would be significant enough to cause this problem? I've a hunch it's the starter too but also like diagnosing stuff and learning along the way. Haven't come across this one yet.

 

When you say "big wire" you mean the battery positive wire going to the starter, right?

 

It’s the starter in my opinion. Just replaced mine that was having pretty much the same issue

2007 here also

 

roger that, thanks. Just a thought but it's been sub zero temps here for a few. Both times the start issue happened were on cold starts. Doesn't seem to do it when parked in the heated garage. I know starters can seize up for many reasons but could cold temps do it?

 

Also, curious about your starter install since you have a 2007. I've put them in farm tractors before but no vehicles. Pretty straight forward or total pain in the ass?

 

My starter would start sometimes but not others… until it finally gave out all together…

it’s kind of a pain in the ass but doable

 

Before you rule the starter as the bad player, check your positive and negative battery connections, as well as the connection to the starter itself. A loose terminal will make the starter do that click click that you seem to be experiencing. Make sure they are good and tight on their respective homes where they belong. If that's fine, then yeah, starter.

 

For drop you want to see .3v or less. But no more than .5-.6v
If your truck is a 4WD, the starter can be a bear.

Some claim to have done it and come out the top.
But I’m still going to say, even then it’s not going to be fun.

Here is a link to a guy that said he removed it all from the top side?
Other say the front driveshaft has to be unbolted?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-starter-2nd-gen-09-4-0.346224/#post-24566138

 

I don’t know how the hell they got it out the top. I would say side or under is the way.

 

Like others have said Connection quality should be your first focus. Tight does not imply quality. Disconnected and clean each contact surface with a piece of 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper and re-secure. Focus on battery and starter terminals. Should only take a few minutes to accomplish. Next suspect would be the starter's solenoid followed by the starter itself. At least that is how I'd chase this down.... Good luck!

 

The service manual says to disconnect the Steering shaft.
You have to remove the rubber fender skirt to get to it.
It also says you need to take the lower skid plate off as well.

I will say, I don’t think the people that write the SM actually work on the trucks.
Because sometimes they make it look easy, when it’s not.
Other times they have you disassemble the truck for no apparent reason. Lol

 

That’s about right though