Battery/Starter Help

My battery was getting to the end of its life and I just replaced it with a new one. However I've still had trouble starting. This morning when I turned the key I would just get a click sound, the radio and all the lights still come on if I turn the key half way, and I have a brand new battery so I know it cant be that. After about 15 tries and wiggling the battery cables, I finally got it to start. It did it once more, I played with the cables again and got it to start after 3 tries or so. I'm hoping it was a loose connection to the battery (tightened the cables). Could it be the starter? Toyota doesn't think it is the alternator, I gave them a call since I was just in for service 2 days ago.

It's an 07 Tacoma V6. Help or ideas would be much appreciated

 

The battery posts are not tight enough. Only tight will conduct high current. If there on correctly there is no way you will be able to wiggle them.

Don't go nuts but they have to be tight. Check also where the wires enter the terminal and make sure that spot is ok too. Nice and clean nice and tight.

 

I think Toyota may have removed them and didn't put them on tight enough, I was just in for service 2 days ago. I tightened them and hoping that is the issue, only time will tell. Thanks for the reply

 

did it do this with the old batter too? there is a tsb out for 05-07 for intermittent starting, no idea if this applies for you or it's just a battery/starter issue

 

I can't tell you if the old battery had the same issue because it was on the last end of its life.

Even after tightening the cables to the battery I'm still having the same issue. I get one single "click" sound and it fails. Depending on how long my car has been sitting it still takes quite a few tries to get it going.

 

could possibly be the transponder thingie in your key.... do you have the other set of keys to try with?

 

Assuming your cables are tight on the battery, since you hear clicking and the radio is on, your battery is likely connected ok. It's unusual, but your new battery could have a defect. But since it intermittently starts up, it's probably not the alternator or battery. It certainly could be the starter or a bad chassis ground somewhere too...check the batttery, starter, and alternator chassis grounds.

 

I am at Toyota right now and they're going to check it out. The battery passed it's check but one of the guys here thinks the battery might be defective. I'm hoping that's the case, I would hate to have to replace the starter or anything else.

 

Ended up being the starter. Bad news. Toyota quoted me $500 but I am taking it to a friend's dad's shop locally who is going to take care of it. Case of bad luck

 

You don't have an extended warranty?

 

No I do not, I took it into a local automotive place owned by a friend. They'll be able to take care of it for far less than what Toyota wanted.