My '88 4Runner with 331,000 miles has an intermittent starting issue. It initially occurred when it was in the 20's outside. Started, but stalled, then would not start. Acted like a dead battery (is 4 yrs old) with the typical clicking noise. Funny thing was no loss of lights, power windows or radio stations. I jump started it from another car, drove to AutoZone, took out the battery and had it tested. They said it merely needed a charge. I put it back in and drove around for 3 days without incident. Then repeat of what happened before. I removed the battery and hooked it up to a charger for 24 hours (voltage was 13.7 after disconnecting from charger), then re-installed it. I tried to start the 4Runner with no success...just click, click, click. I put a volt meter on it. It read 12.05v and when trying to start it went to 11.5v and stayed there until I let off the key. Again nothing, however, lights, windows and radio worked fine. I hit the "Clutch cancel switch" and still nothing. So jumped it again from another car and immediately drove in to Auto Zone and bought a new battery. Everything has been fine for 3 days, but today was ground hog day. Drove a short distance to pick up some supplies and when I got back in.... nothing. I tried several times and on the 4th try 4Runner starts normally. After returning home and stopping the engine I checked the voltage and it was 12.55v.
Any thoughts?? It does not sound like a bad starter, but I'm wondering if the starter is to blame.

 

See below for a simple test:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...shtml#EasyTest

 

First thing I would check is the "other end" of the ground cable from the battery.
Are you sure the cable ends are in good shape? Could be the positive cable that goes to the starter itself breaking down or a bad end at the starter...

 

I had detached the ground cable and cleaned the end and the point of attachment, but have yet to check the attachment at the starter.

 

I'm going to correct myself with an earlier post. The "click" some people hear from behind the glove box, is likely the Circuit Opening Relay. The clicking is a pretty good indication that it's working. I've had the same problem so many others have mentioned. Turn the key, and nothing. I had luck for a while by pulling out the breaker (green in color) behind the glove box. For whatever reason, it seems to draw voltage. Anyway, what the real problem turned out to be, was the Neutral Safety Switch (or Neutral Start Switch). There was corrosion on the contact points of the plug, and inside there seemed to be a little gunk. I cleaned everything up and put it back in. No problems since! Starts every time. The Neutral Safety Switch is not a cheap part for 4runners ($279 in my neck of the woods), so cleaning it up was well worth the effort!