I wanted to get some input on an issue that started a few days ago with my '07 SR5 V6 with 70k miles where it won't always start when I first try. It happens randomly... I go to crank it and either nothing happens at all (no clicks, power, etc) or the gauge cluster will light up and flicker but nothing happens when the key is turned. Other times, it will fire right up with no issues at all. When it does act up, if I try cranking it a few times, it will eventually fire up. Today was the first time that the clock reset but it did fire up after 3 tries - other times today it started normally.

It has a new battery, which is reading normal voltage. I tested the alternator with it idling and and the air, lights, wipers, radio all on and voltage at the battery was 13 to 13.5. I was reading about the starter contacts but that doesn't seem to jive with the cluster having power sometimes and others not. Maybe the ignition? Thoughts?

I'll probably end up taking it somewhere tomorrow but I thought I would get some insights here first. I don't want my wife to get stranded somewhere.

Are all the ground points clean and solid?

The two I see on the driver's side of the engine look clean and are solid. Any others I'm not seeing?

Maybe a bad starter solenoid (random starts, regardless of temperature). Had that happen to me on a previous car. However, the symptoms of your car shorting out seems a bit odd.

Another issue (less likely) is an early sign of a bad crankshaft position sensor. If it won't start easily when hot, but does start when cold, that would be the ticket.

Good luck on your problem and let us know what it is.

Possibly battery terminal corrosion? You said new battery so that probably isn't it, but it's happened to me before. For me, either the connection was loose or there was corrosion (that white/blue crusty stuff). You can try to clean it off nice and tighten it up. I've used a wire brush.
I've also cleaned the engine at one of those self-serve washes and the degreaser took it right off.

Tighten your battery leads.

Definitely check your starter contacts. I had wacky symptoms along with no cranking. You can replace them yourself in 45 mins. Make sure the engine is cool before you try to take the starter off because steel bolts in aluminium parts are impossible to remove when hot.

Where did you get the new contacts? I see you have an '07 also, any tricks to removing the starter other than waiting until it's cold? Any tips for replacing the contacts?

I'm out of town for school so I didn't have any of my tools here to do the job. A local start/alternator shop said its very easy. Basically pull the starter off, take off the backplate, be careful with all the seals and washers etc. inside, replace with any generic contacts. There will be two of them and they're copper. If I were you, I'd take the starter off, pull out the contacts and take them to a starter shop. They'll recommend a replacement set. I couldn't see them costing more than $20.