Almost couldn't get my 2009 Tacoma started this morning

Went to start my 2009 Tacoma (please see sig below) this morning. 1/8th crank, that was it. Tried several more times, same result.

Came back 5 minutes later, tried again. Started right up.

In hindsight, I noticed over the past couple weeks some "sketchy" starts, where it seemed that maybe she wasn't hitting full crank RPM.

The battery is only a year old.

The alternator is only 3 months old (a reman Denso)

The temperature this morning was 35°F, nothing crazy.

Assuming it's not the battery, what are the possibilities?

Thanks.

 

Might be the starter

 

Is that going to be a bear for a shop to diagnose if it doesn't exhibit the behavior for them?

At present, I don't have the time to muck with it.

How hard is a starter change on a 2009?

Thanks.

 

What battery is it? Did you go to an AGM?

 

If its the starter you can always try hitting it with a hammer

 

Have you checked battery voltage at rest and during cranking?
My wife’s suby had issues using the remote starter but would start with key.
Must have had a bad cell or something?
Remote starter sensed voltage drop and shut car down.
New battery and all is good.
Being a 2009 your starter may also be acting up shouldn’t be a bad job pending how rusted the bolts are?
Figure they’ve only been there 15yrs

 

You could try a battery brush on the terminals and posts. Even if they LOOK clean there could be oxidation on the posts interfering with a good connection. They’re available cheap at most auto parts stores.

 

Yes. It is a Costco AGM.

 

Don't assume it's not the battery.
Put a voltmeter on it and check...

 

12.2 volts static, 14.4 volts running

Drops to 11 volts during a successful start.

 

yea 11 volts may be low!
Have it load tested at Costco hopefully they just give you a new one!

 

Have the battery load tested.

 

These are all pretty good. 11v is a load test of sorts, starter voltage drop test.

Still, I would brush the terminals and posts, just to eliminate a possible problem.

 

Mine was having an intermittent no crank no start, occasionally one click. First my clutch pedal switch was the culprit. I removed & bypassed the relay so I no longer have to stomp to start. The problem persisted, I replaced the fuel pump relay, no change. Finally I replaced the starter solenoid contacts which ended up solving the problem.

 

i'm not a battery expert, but i think 12.2 static is on the low side.

i think mine was at 12.42 or something last time i checked.

 

According to the chart I use, it’s about 35% static, 30% loaded. I wouldn’t replace it yet. Id brush the terminals and posts, then retest.

 

okay, how are your cables? had an absolutely perfect looking battery terminal once, but the 12mm bolt at the back was loose, and the inside of the terminal itself was corroded up scrubbed that and tightened up the 12mm bolt on the positive lead and have not had an issue since.

 

$14 EZRED Cleaning

https://www.amazon.com/Z-Red-S501-Battery-Cleaner/dp/B000OQMHEC

Above is the best one I've found. They all eventually wear out but those last longer. The picture is the ones I use with my impact driver/drill.

If they’re severely acid covered, nothing works better than plain ole coke.

 

It was the starter.

Dropped in a Denso reman. Not only does she now start every time, but she starts much quicker, like a brand new vehicle. Starter performance decay is a thing, apparently.

Thanks for the guidance in this thread.