v8 Intermitten Start

2005
4.7L V-8
188,000 miles
Intermitten Starting
New Battery
Extremely intermitten, sometimes starts immediately.
When it will not start, I turn key, the vehicle powers on normally, built-in-test ok, chimes all ok.
Turn key, no response, no click, no dimming of lights, no response.
I reset the steering, reset the shifter (in case it may be the safety switch, but I honestly don't think it is), after about 2-4 tries of turning key, it starts.
Some days does it, some days not.
Usually will start first thing in morning but subsequent starts it can fail, but not always.

Have you had similar issues?

What would be your troubleshooting process? Flow chart?

The starter and its solenoid are located under the intake manifold on the V8, right?

The starter located under the intake makes test it difficult. How can you test the cables to the starter? Test the connection? Bad Ground?

What would be the fault code if any?

Can it be the starter relay?

What are the major pitfalls/issues when replacing the starter, removing/installing manifold, rail, tubes?

Thanks in advance

 

Possibly bad ignition switch, or maybe neutral safety switch.

 

My first thought is the starter solenoid. The key when turned energizes a magnet that closes a big switch which puts the batteries power into the starter. If the solenoid doesn't close the start circuit I'd think you'd get what you have going on.

 

Starter relay? Ignition fuse in the engine bay fuse box? Are you throwing any codes?

To your questions, the starter is under the intake manifold. You can test the power supplied with a multimeter to different things to verify - ignition relay, leads going to starter, battery voltage, ignition switch, etc. Heres a general start on engine codes, otherwise you can just search it online if you find one https://parts.olathetoyota.com/toyota-engine-codes

 

I had these exact same symptoms in 2 cars.

One was a badly corroded positive battery cable. One was a badly corroded negative battery cable.

They had corroded from the inside out and you couldn't tell. Terminals were decent and tight. Cleaning them helped for a bit and it just got worse.

Replaced the cable or spliced in a new section and the problem was solved.