Toyota Repair: 04 Sequoia intermittent starting problem, amperage, hi mike

Question
My 2004 sequoia does not always turn over when I turn the key.  I have all the lights, radio, wipers, etc., but no cranking.  Sometimes I will hear a quick grinding sound, but that is it.  The last time this happened (about 2 months ago), I took it to the dealer, but they could not reproduce the issue. I removed the negative wire from the battery and cleaned it and the battery post and that appeared to fix the problem.  But was wondering if it is not a bigger issue?

Answer
hi mike, first things first.  it sounds like you're on the right track by cleaning the cables.  you need to make completely sure both cables/post are clean.  not just on the outside, make sure the inside of the loop on the terminal is clean also.  it sounds like you have a bad connection there causing low amperage to the starter.  this can cause the starter to not engage even though you have enough amperage to turn everything else on.  the grinding sound was probably the starter soleniod engaging and disengaging rapidly due to low amperage.  if the starter make one loud click, it could be the contacts in the starter going bad.  if this happens, it'll normally start after a few attempts but eventually will go out completely...thanks