V8 no start

[tom5191]

I'm having a start issue on my 2004 T4R V8 Limited. I tried leaving work and got no start. All I could hear is the start click once, turn the key back off and the start clicks again. Guessing engaging and disengaging the starter. Figured I drained the battery when I was sitting in it earlier (I was sitting in the back on break) and maybe didn't close the door all the way. Called for a jump start and the road side guy put a jump box on it with no luck. Said it didn't even try to pull power from the jump box. So I get it towed home and test the solenoid, and it's working so I figured it was the starter. Replaced that and it's still doing it. I searched and found the problem with the ECU fuse the one guy had, tried that and it did nothing. Battery voltage is as 12.1, and all lights work fine, radio works, lights don't even dim when I try to start. Immobilizer is recognizing the key (security light goes out when key is in ignition). I'm at a loss. I'm going to get the battery tested tomorrow just in case, but I don't think that's my issue. Anyone know where to go from here?

 

[S4TA]

I had the same problem a couple days ago. Lights were on and it clicked. I couldn't get it to jump so I took the battery to Autozone. They said it was good.

So... I took the battery home and cleaned the terminals, which looked fine. I then cleaned the battery connectors with a wire brush, which didn't look as good, hooked it up, and it started right up.

 

[Bob J]

I'm having a start issue on my 2004 T4R V8 Limited. I tried leaving work and got no start. All I could hear is the start click once, turn the key back off and the start clicks again. Guessing engaging and disengaging the starter. Figured I drained the battery when I was sitting in it earlier (I was sitting in the back on break) and maybe didn't close the door all the way. Called for a jump start and the road side guy put a jump box on it with no luck. Said it didn't even try to pull power from the jump box. So I get it towed home and test the solenoid, and it's working so I figured it was the starter. Replaced that and it's still doing it. I searched and found the problem with the ECU fuse the one guy had, tried that and it did nothing. Battery voltage is as 12.1, and all lights work fine, radio works, lights don't even dim when I try to start. Immobilizer is recognizing the key (security light goes out when key is in ignition). I'm at a loss. I'm going to get the battery tested tomorrow just in case, but I don't think that's my issue. Anyone know where to go from here?

Full disclosure I've never experienced this problem....

A single click would tend to point to the starter solenoid.... I know you checked it but it might be worth giving it another hard look or simply replacing it just to be sure....

Assuming that doesn't do the trick then the good news is the circuit should be fairly straight forward and you have already dealt with the three most likely suspects (battery/solenoid/starter).... IIRC that leaves:

starter relay
ignition switch
fuses
wiring connections

The fact that you can hear the solenoid click would seem to indicate that the starter relay and ignition switch are doing their thing so the problem must then be in the direct connection between the battery and the starter that actually feeds power to the starter when the solenoid engages.... Since this is a heavy gauge circuit it is unlikely that wire is the issue so would think the connections or fusing would be the most likely suspect....

 

[46runner]

similar issue. can't remember if I heard clicks or not. Fix was to tighten the battery cables. worth a try.

 

[nevada]

I'm having a start issue on my 2004 T4R V8 Limited. I tried leaving work and got no start. All I could hear is the start click once, turn the key back off and the start clicks again. Guessing engaging and disengaging the starter. Figured I drained the battery when I was sitting in it earlier (I was sitting in the back on break) and maybe didn't close the door all the way. Called for a jump start and the road side guy put a jump box on it with no luck. Said it didn't even try to pull power from the jump box. So I get it towed home and test the solenoid, and it's working so I figured it was the starter. Replaced that and it's still doing it. I searched and found the problem with the ECU fuse the one guy had, tried that and it did nothing. Battery voltage is as 12.1, and all lights work fine, radio works, lights don't even dim when I try to start. Immobilizer is recognizing the key (security light goes out when key is in ignition). I'm at a loss. I'm going to get the battery tested tomorrow just in case, but I don't think that's my issue. Anyone know where to go from here?

12.1 is low.

it could be as suggested above, a dirty or poor cable connection. not only will this keep it front starting, it will also keep the battery from charging fully.

charge the battery, and clean and tighten the connections.

 

[tom5191]

Great, thanks guys. I'll get the battery tested, charged, and cables replaced and report back.

 

[tom5191]

Battery was cracked. Replaced battery and cable terminals, cleaned connection and it started right up. Can't believe I wasted all that time changing the starter on this V8 just for the battery to be bad.. Oh well. At least I know the starter won't shit out on me any time soon.

 

[wmiranda]

It's amazing the similar and also, wide-range of issues associated with a seemingly good battery that is really bad. Have had same issue,.. diagnostics showed a great battery and have had a bad cell... have also had the issue where cables look/feel tight but I go and tighten even more and problem goes away.

Glad you found it... sorry it took throwing parts at it.