My 03 tacoma has been having an intermittent start when it gets about 30 ish degrees out side. It makes it sound like it's got a dead battery when I turn the key over but the lights and stereo work. I've tested the battery. Checked the terminals made sure everything is clean and tight. If it does decide to turn over it takes 4 or 5 times to crank over and finally start. I'm kind of stumped.

 

What engine is it?

 

Does it start fine in hot weather ??

How many miles ??

Auto or Manual?/

Just how did you check your battery and ground connections

Removed them all cleaned and tightened till every thing is shining

 

how old is the starter? could be time to pull the starter apart for cleaning and new contacts.

 

Battery amperage is reduced in cold weather. Your battery could be putting out 12 volts, but not enough current (amps) to adequately crank your starter in cold temperatures. You need to look at the cold cranking amp (CCA) rating on the battery. A lot of cheaper batteries usually have a lower cranking amps (CA) and cold cranking amps (CCA) thus making them less effective in colder weather.

I have Optima Yellow Top batteries in my 2005 Tundra (4.7 V8) and my 1983 Pickup (22R). Both batteries have 870 CA and 750 CCA and I have never had problems with cold weather starting. Before I installed the Optima in my Tundra, I had had an AC Delco battery that was rated at 600 CA and 550 CCA and it would have trouble starting when the temps got down into the 20s - That battery was only a year old when I replaced it with the Optima for this same reason.

But like I said, just because the battery tests fine for voltage it doesn't mean that it still has the amperage to turn that starter.