Hey everyone! Ok looking for some opinions on this starting issue. First time this happened I thought that maybe my battery was failing as it had been some time since I had started my truck. Got just a click like the battery was too low, then put the charger on the battery, same issue. Tried to cycle the key and then got a partial crank. Cycled off then on and it tripped over and started. Have never been left stranded by my Toyota, so was a bit concerned. My truck sat again for almost two months (been really busy, life happens). this time nothing came on so I know my battery was pretty much bled dry. Did the normal checks on battery fluid, voltage (5.5 volts) so put the charger on it. Battery is about 2 years old. After a good two hours on charger tried to start her up. had a partial crank, then cycled the key three times (on/off/on) and it caught and turned right over and fired. Outputting 14.3 volts so my charging system is great. First cycle of key this morning and engine fired up.

So does it seem logical to think that my starter may be going? Has a few worn spots? Is the possible issue with turning the key and nothing happens with a battery at 12+ volts? Quick cycling the ignition switch possibly gets it in a different spot and turns over? Open to suggestions. This is the best forum to go to. Was the case back in the 90's when I joined and still is to this day!

 

If the battery was drained to 5.5v, it's toast. When you replace it, clean your cables, even if you don't see any corrosion.

 

Clean the cables, and check the grounds. Very important. If they're dirty/corroded, you'll have problems.

It sounds to me, with the key cycling doing the trick, that the keyswitch is getting old and the contacts are worn down, or there is corrosion built up on them. Might be worth taking a good look, and maybe clean the contacts, at the keyswitch.
Another possibility would be the starter relay the key controls. Again, dirty, corroded contacts are possible. Might be worth testing out.
Then there's the cables actually going to the starter. One heavy one from the battery positive, and one lighter one from the relay that goes to the starter solenoid. That's a pretty dirty area down there, and it's easy for dirt and/or corrosion to build up on either cable. Check to make sure both ends of both cables are clean and free of corrosion buildup. Once again, thoroughly clean the battery terminals before installing them.
Also, make sure that where the cables connect to the terminals are clean, and free of corrosion. If you use a regular, lead-acid type battery, instead of the gel-cell type, there's a very fine acid mist that can get down into the insulation of the cable, and break down the copper conductors inside the insulation. Makes it difficult to detect, unless you're really looking closely.

Personally, I use the gel-cell type battery. They seem to have better cold cranking capability, IMO. They also don't cause anywhere near the corrosion on the terminals that regular lead-acid batteries do.
I also use "marine" type terminals. That allows me to put heat shrink on the cable where the ring terminal is crimped on. I use the melt-wall, or FIT-300, type of heat shrink, as the meltable inner liner fills in all the nooks and crannies, and seals up the cable end, so they are protected from intrusion of anything inside the insulation. Yes, I did have to clip the original ring terminals off and crimp new ones on, so I could get the heat shrink on, but that's an easy task, really. Honestly, I rebuilt the cables completely. I made them a bit heavier. It seems to help a bit.
One other benefit is that if the battery gets drained, like if I leave the lights on, or something...ahem...I can easily pop the cables off of the two batteries, and swap them out between two of my trucks quickly and easily. Lets me start the "dead" truck quickly, if I'm on my way somewhere, and go throw the dead battery on the charger over night.
It's also easier to pull the terminals off the battery, and the cables off the terminals, and clean everything quickly and easily.

All that's just me, though.
Pat☺

 

Thanks to both '83' and '2ToyGuy'. Gives me pause and contemplation. The rebuild of the cables sounds like a good way to go. Checking the cables, contacts and such is a great first step. Thanks again for pointing out a few areas I was over looking.