4Runner Guru's,

I'm having trouble starting my æ99 Toyota 4Runner 4WD Limited. In the morning I turn the key and the ignition seems to function normally but the starter does not engage. After a second twist of the key the starter still does not engage but the third time is usually a charm. Starter then engages most of the time. About 25% of the time when it does engage it engages for a half second and then releases/dies.

The problem is most pronounced in the morning. In the afternoon and evening it has the problem perhaps 10% of the time.

Starter sounds normal when it engages and the 4Runner fires up normally. Is my problem with the starter or some other ignition issue? Is it easy to replace the starter on this beast?