2003 V6 Won't Start - One click and that's it

6

66Mhz

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So my 03 with 105K miles suddenly won't start anymore. No warning signs, just stopped starting yesterday. Turning the ignition results in one click and nothing else. The lights are present, radio works, etc.

I tried jumping it with no success, same result. Checked fuses and relays, everything looks ok. Battery cables look fine as does the ground. I tried banging on the starter with a hammer but could only really tap on it since it's kind of in an awkward spot. Still the same thing.

Is there anything else I should look into before beginning a starter rebuild?
 
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If it is the starter, it probably is a worn piece of gear. If you keep turning, eventually it should start, at least so you can get it somewhere. Otherwise, sounds like you'll need to swap out the starter
 
If your battery is in good shape and you can only get a click out of the starter then that's where you should start the diagnostics. If the starter is in good shape it would be cranking over and something else would be the issue.

Changing out the starter on the v6 is no fun task at all
 
If you keep turning, eventually it should start, at least so you can get it somewhere.
Click to expand...

I'll keep that in mind. I've tried turning it probably 25 times so far with no luck.
 
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Yeah takes off the skids cause it has to be done from underneath. One bolt is really hard to remove because you have to undo it through the bell housing
 
Well I actually just got it started. CEL is now on along with the VSC lights. Going back out to pull the codes now.

Codes: P0335, P0340, P0345. However, I shut the car down then got it to start again and the CEL and VSC lights were gone.

After restarting the idle was extremely low (~500rpm) and I had to give it some gas to prevent it from stalling.

Not really sure where this is headed.
 
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sounds like either a loose fuse in the fuse box or a poor ground. you dont have anything that you leave in the diagnostic port do you? like an insurance module or anything? the starter circuit is not just a simple circuit anymore it goes through the computer first and your actually asking the computer if its ok that you start the engine. next time it doesnt start check to see if the check engine light comes on for the bulb check and stays lit. as far as the idle problem disconnect the battery and clean the throttle body then reconnect the battery and it should be fine. these trucks dont have an idle valve so the computer controls the idle via opening or closing the trottle plate when the computer wouldnt let the starter start the engine it somehow lost its learned idle memory and thinks its starting off with a clean throttle body and closing the plate restricting airflolw. also if you have another key try using that one. the codes pertain to the cam and crank sensors but ill think you souldnt worry about those for now
 
satanos6668280 said:
sounds like either a loose fuse in the fuse box or a poor ground. you dont have anything that you leave in the diagnostic port do you? like an insurance module or anything? the starter circuit is not just a simple circuit anymore it goes through the computer first and your actually asking the computer if its ok that you start the engine. next time it doesnt start check to see if the check engine light comes on for the bulb check and stays lit. as far as the idle problem disconnect the battery and clean the throttle body then reconnect the battery and it should be fine. these trucks dont have an idle valve so the computer controls the idle via opening or closing the trottle plate when the computer wouldnt let the starter start the engine it somehow lost its learned idle memory and thinks its starting off with a clean throttle body and closing the plate restricting airflolw. also if you have another key try using that one. the codes pertain to the cam and crank sensors but ill think you souldnt worry about those for now
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Started it up a few more times and it's running OK. It just takes several quick tries to get the starter moving.

Seems like it's probably bad contacts.
 
had something similar with my 04 v6 and it turned out to be a shorted insurance dobble that they put in to keep track of my driving so figured save some headaches and suggest it but as long as the problem is solved thats even better
 
Check your battery. The auto-start feature (which holds the starter to start) has an under voltage protection. I had this exact thing happen to me.

The cold finally killed my original battery. Replaced. You may be tech able to supply the required amount of volts, but not at the right amps (weak battery).
 
DC runner said:
Check your battery. The auto-start feature (which holds the starter to start) has an under voltage protection. I had this exact thing happen to me.

The cold finally killed my original battery. Replaced. You may be tech able to supply the required amount of volts, but not at the right amps (weak battery).
Click to expand...
Yes, but if it's the battery shouldn't I be able to jump start?

Jumping gives the exact same results.
 
No. I wasnt able to jump. I tried using my boat battery, but you lose voltage through the cable (depending on guage). Usually smaller engines are easier than larger. You hook up the cables in a bad spot (weak connection)..and it all adds up to not get the required voltage and amps to the starter.

So..no. a 100 factors can combine to not getting a good jumpstart. Test the battery.
 
my first thought was the battery. these things are very voltage sensitive.

have the battery tested, I bet its bad.
 
Turns out it was the battery all along. I didn't realize it at first, but the battery was an original Panasonic which means it was at least 10 years old. Such an easy fix for what seemed to be a serious issue!

Thanks DC Runner and nevada for suggesting the battery. You guys saved me a bunch of time and money!
 
66Mhz said:
Well I actually just got it started. CEL is now on along with the VSC lights. Going back out to pull the codes now.

Codes: P0335, P0340, P0345. However, I shut the car down then got it to start again and the CEL and VSC lights were gone.

After restarting the idle was extremely low (~500rpm) and I had to give it some gas to prevent it from stalling.

Not really sure where this is headed.
Click to expand...

I have the exact same issue (2002 4Runner though, different generation)

I'll turn and hold the key for ignition, and there'll just be 1 click at the beginning and then nothing. (no noise) And then randomly, the starter will decide to trigger and the engine starts up.

Also have P0335 and P0340, but not the third one.

Hopefully mine's just the battery like yours was!
 
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