2006 Toyota Tacoma not starting

Story in sequenced order:
1. I jumped the truck to start after a non-start (4 year old battery).
2. Bought a brand new battery and drove it back home (5min drive).
3. No start the next day.
4. Took out the starter and had the auto store test run the starter and brand new battery, said everything was okay.
5. Put everything back together and after 2 successful starts, back to the non-starts.
(single clicks for non-starts)

In the process of taking off my alternator, but is that even necessary? I checked all of the electrical connections and all seemed to be okay. I can't see the alternator being the problem with a brand new battery and working starter.

 

Alternator will not cause a no start.
So your saying it's a no crank (the starter is just clicking and not turning the engine) or a crank no start (starter is turning the engine but it won't fire)?

 

I've heard two different noises. One with just the starter with a single click and nothing else, and the starter whirring with no click.

 

Sounds like bad connection somewhere

You said you checked the connections. No corrosion or loose connection Anywhere?

Did you check the ground wire to the body?

Look at the big fuses (the ones you can't remove) see if they are broken

Everything you say, leads me to think bad connection somewhere


You could also jump the battery to the starter just to Ensure it's not the starter. (If you leave the key in the run position, you could start it this way)

 

Contacts in starter possibly deteriorating? I had this similar issue after deep water crossings where it would intermittently and without any recognizable pattern, start and stop.

 

Definitely sounds like the starter, get you a test light and a helper. If you have a manual transmission make sure it's in neutral and the parking brake is set.
Go to the starter and clip the negative of the test light to the starter body and touch the light to the main power stud of the starter, verify it's lit bright and stays lit when you have your helper turn the key to crank. If it doesn't you have a problem on the main power wire between the starter and the battery or the main ground wire between the battery and engine block, if it does stay lit then go to the S terminal (small gauge wire) and verify it lights on there when the key is turned to crank.
If both those checks are good then the starter is bad, if not then further troubleshooting is required.

 

That is what I have been thinking, maybe my electrical connection check was not as complete as I may thought with the big fuses. Is there something at the auto parts store that I should buy to check the connections?

 

A test light will help check connections as @Dm93 stated above. One of the best tools you can have in a tool box.

 

Get a dead blow hammer (or a short 2x4). Hit the starter hard enough to vibrate it, but not damage it.
The idea is to vibrate it enough to have the rotor move just a little.
It's fairly common for a "flat spot" (easiest way to describe though not the best) to develop where the brush contacts the rotor.
By wanging it, your are trying to get the rotor to move away from that "flat spot."
It's easier if you have someone else - one turns the key while the other bangs on the starter.

If it starts, it's definitely the starter and you need a new one, though some who are really tight will nurse it and carry a hammer with them. The problem with that is you can only do it so much before the spot grows too big and you simply can't pound on it enough without damaging it.