Trouble shooting '97 startup issue

Hello! First ever post here.

The problem: '97 4Runner V6 3.4L has developed an issue starting up over the last 3 months. Pumping the clutch hard a few times did the trick at first but that has slowly become less effective and now its very difficult to start. It clicks when I turn the key in the ignition but usually no sign of it turning over.

What I've tried: Battery, alternator and starter all tested OK (Autozone). The symptoms suggested a bad clutch pedal ignition switch but most people with that issue seem to still be able to start by using the "clutch start cancel" - in my case that doesn't work either. I replaced the clutch pedal switch anyway because it was cheap and easy but no change.

Could it be a bad electrical connection somewhere that wasn't picked up by the test? Any other suggestions for what to try?

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

I had a few cars with bad battery cables. You'd get in, do a little dance with the key on and it would often start. Usually turning on the headlights would do the trick. It wound up being a bad battery cable that would let everything work but just not allow enough current to kick the starter. Having the battery draw some current (key on, headlights, etc) reverses the corrosion just enough to get it to eventually start. At some point, it just wouldn't start.

I'm just spit balling but it sound very similar and your clutch switch probably had nothing to do with it.

 

You have to look really closely to the battery cables...they corrode inside the insulation and you can't see it. On my 2002 4Runner I had to cut back like 8" of negative cable to get to pristine copper. Then solder on a new negative cable with a torch and tons of flux and solder. She's been perfect so far.

Then again...might not be your issue. But it sounds like you hear the relays and so forth actuating...so I'm leaning to something around the battery.