Car won't start, then randomly starts

So I have a 2011 Toyota tacoma, Magnetic Grey TRD off road. I got up this morning to go to school and my car won't start. I used my key to open the door, sat on the seat, no lights were on at all, put the key in, turned it, and nothing. I started clicking the warning signal lights and kept twisting the key. But nothing worked. So I said screw it, I'm late for class. I had to manually lock the door as I got out. As in warming up my motorcycle (10 yards from my truck), the warning lights start going off on my tacoma. I went back into the car, the passenger airbag light was on (like it always is) and the red key indicator was flashing. I put the key in the ignition and turned it. BOOM...it started. So I took the motorcycle to school this morning. What could be the problem?

 

What mods have you made to the truck?

Aftermarket electronics installed?

 

All I have is HID's. Truck has 33k. Miles. I must also say that my click in the car is wrong. I correct it, the following day the time is way off.

 

Check the battery connections.

 

Just a side note. When the car wouldn't start, I had to use my hand to push the nob on the door to lock it. When the car started and I was exiting the vehicle, I used the electronic button to lock all the doors, and it worked.

 

I'll be home in 8 hours. I'll post back and let you guys know

 

Most likely battery if nothing was working. I had a 2011 and the battery failed within 2 years.

 

Make sure they're tight and the terminals are clean.

Pull them off, check both out, reinstall.

 

Battery connection or battery...

 

I've had vehicles do the craziest shit and almost everytime it has been poor battery connections. Like everyone has said, inspect terminals, clean, clean, reinstall.

Also, I'm still on my original battery. Kinda wondering when it'll die.

 

If it's not the battery or cables it may have something to do with the security keys. If you have another key, try using it for awhile.

 

Haha, my ground wire bolt was loose im so dumb. I was about to buy a new battery. Thank you guys! Greatly appreciate it!

 

I'm going to revive this thread....
I have had intermittant issues where my truck wont start. It happens in the morning after sitting all night. This morning was the second time, first time was this past Saturday. When I go to start it all of the lights on the dash light up like normal but it turns over slow for a second or tow and then nothing after that. Both times that this has happened I put my battery charger on it (set at 10 amp charge) and after a few minutes on the charger the truck starts up like normal. I had the battery checked at Advance Auto on Sunday and it checked out okay. After I had it checked I went home and cleaned the battery terminals and reinstalled them. I left the charger on the battery Sunday night (set at 2 amp charge) just to be sure I had a fully charged battery on Monday morning and everything has been good until this morning. The battery is 5 years old and while the truck is running my sacangauge is showing 13.4 volts +/- .3. I'm thinking about having the battery checked somewhere else. I will say that I had my frame replaced a month ago so I'm also thinking it might be a ground issue...maybe one has come loose.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

Sounds to me like you need a new battery. Once you hit 5 years, you're pretty much on borrowed time. Even if it turns out to be something else, your battery is at the end of its life, so you might as well replace it. Definitely where I'd start, as your symptoms seem to me to point to the battery anyway.

 

Check battery connections - clean posts and cables.

Mine shows 13.4 on a volt meter after it's fully warmed up. Cold - it should be above 14.00. Seems like all of my Toyota's read 13.4 once warmed up.

I too would be suspicious of grounds, especially after the frame work. Would not hurt to check connections on the alternator as well + get a voltage reading on the alternator. Should read 14.0 or slightly higher measuring at the B+ terminal with the red lead and black lead on alt. case(ground).

Last, but not least, the battery is 5 yrs. old. I'd say you did well. It's my opinion that today's batteries don't last as long. Too many current-robbing gadgets inside modern vehicles, but I would not replace the battery until you checked out everything else first.

 

13.4V when running means the alternator is probably not the problem, but doesn't indicate the health of the battery.
Check for parasitic current draw with a multimeter set to measure battery current while the truck is shut off.
If parasitic current draw is not excessive, replace the battery.

 

I'd be very surprised if this turns out to be anything more than a failing battery.

 

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I'm going to try and have the battery checked somewhere else on my lunch break.
A failing battery would be the easiest and least time consuming fix. With 3 kiddos at home spare time is a rare commidity.

 

I had the battery checked at O'Reilly's and they said the battery was bad and the voltage regulator failed when they checked it while the truck was running. Then I thought what the hell, Autozone was a few blocks down the street so I had them check it too. Same thing at Autozone as far as the battery being bad but when they checked the voltage regulator, first time it failed, second time it passed.
With the battery being 5 years old I think I'm just going to get a new one and hopefully the alternator is okay.