Engine suddenly wont turn over.

I moved my 2017 Tundra about 20 Ft. Came back to move it again and no starter crank. Battery is new. All lights, music, heater come on but starter clicks once. Nothing more. Tried in neutral & in park. No go. Tried jumping from another car & charging for an hour. No go.

Is there a starter relay or its contacts that can be checked? Baffled

 

Check the tightness of the battery cables first. One click is often a spark jump.

 

Sounds like Your starter contacts are bad, they are on the solenoid attached to the starter.
You will need a new starter.
Crappy spot under the right exhaust manifold

 

You say your battery is new, could you have ran your old one too long, exhausting your starter and killing it...?

 

Out of warranty?

 

Yampa is in your name..is that Yampa Valley Colorado? Just asking because I was up there all weekend, and it was -13 to -15 with the storm (couldn’t even get our snowmobiles working)...got a tundra and a GMC 2500 lifted 8 inches stuck in the snow.

 

Try turning the lights on and then hit the key. If your lights go dim the starter is pulling more amps than your battery has. If not it's likely the contacts in the solenoid like stated above. If it sits out all the time make sure the starter is not packed in ice. I've seen them frozen from fording streams where you had to thaw them out to get them to crank

 

All connections at battery are good. Even bought a new battery since my existing one showed low power.

 

All connections at battery are good. Even bought a new battery since my existing one showed low power.

 

So still just a click? Check starter connection also.

If still clicking, trying gently tapping the starter with a smallish hammer. It may jar the solenoid loose if condensation built up freezing it and/ or if the solenoid has worn down somewhat.

Mechanic would test for continuity and current/draw on starter to know what to do next.

Luck and enjoy those Toyotas. : ^ )))

 

That would be correct. Does get cold but its not that bad right now. Sorry about your luck in the deep.

 

It still sounds like the symptoms of a weak battery to me. I believe I would disconnect the battery cables, slow charge the battery, test it with my battery tester.

$40 ANCEL BA101 Car Battery Tester, 12V Digital Automotive Alternator Meter Diagnostic Tool,100-2000 CCA Load Capacity, Charging & Cranking Analyzer for Truck, Boat, RV, Marine Vehicle, and More

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M0ARG3X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Then give it another try before launching off into the possibility of starter issues (big work, big expense, maybe not the problem). These days, brand new batteries can be faulty.

You don't say what kind of battery you bought. Most batteries these days are an inferior representation of past batteries. Buy yourself a Northstar AGM if you want a real battery.

 

Bought a new battery & cleaned everything. Tried holding the key in start position for 60 secs. Nothing. Tapping on the starter or solenoid seems next to impossible with the manifold & heat shield in the way.

 

To solve this problem, you will have to be open-minded to the idea that your previous efforts may have been ineffective in spite of your best efforts.

No clicks, no nothing?! No clicks means your battery is probably completely dead. Have you tried a voltmeter to see what voltage indicated?

Holding the key in start position beyond 1-5 seconds is a bad idea, and accomplishes nothing. If it's going to crank, it will crank (or click) immediately. Holding the key in the start position holds the solenoid contacts closed with current flowing through those contacts longer than intended.

 

Just because you bought a new battery doesn't rule it out. What battery did you put in?

Double check terminal connection cleanliness and tightness just in case, then hook up a jump starter to it and see if it'll start. If it starts, it's likely the battery. Which means if it's truly new and not just a bad apple, then the alternator might not be charging it enough. Take the battery to an auto parts store and have them fully test it to make sure it's good. If it is, you'll need to test your alternator to see if it's going bad.

If it doesn't start with the jump starter hooked up, check the relay. If relay is good, make sure all other cables are tight. If they are, it's likely in the starter. You probably have a bad solenoid since you're getting a single click but nothing else, which means you need to replace your starter. Good luck!

 

If a battery is completely discharged, or has a "dead cell" (common failure mode these days), you can't use a jump starter to start the vehicle. There has to be conductivity across the battery, and there has to be enough charge in the battery that it doesn't suck up the entire output of the jump start battery with nothing left for the starter motor.

 

The connections at the new battery are all good & clean. Have not tried to jump it yet with the new battery but I will at lunch today. What relay are you speaking about & where is it located? Thank you

 

Could I be an issue with the actual key? Have you tried the other key? I thought I read that issue has happened before with gen 3's.

 

Many cars have a switch built in to shut off the engine if the bumper is tapped a certain way. This can also be triggered accidentally other ways. Check for a kill switch. If you don't have one, try a different key.

 

Have to find the other key. Did not hit any bumpers. Anyone know about a relay and where it is located?

 

I think he was referring to the starter relay...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4v1rcISp23Q

 

So thank you to everyone that tried to help. The starter was "frozen". The mechanic was able to hit it softly with a rod & it turned over. He is perplexed since its such a new truck. He asked if I had gone through deep puddles or water, which I have not. We have recently had -15 deg, but that's normal & we have had this temp already this year with no problems. He is perplexed. He is going to let it get cold again tonight & try it in the morning.

It it happens again, I am going to spend the $$ on a new starter.

 

If it's a new truck wouldn't that be covered under warranty?

 

How many miles on it?

 

The truck is a 2017 & has 32k miles. Its under an extended warranty. Problem is, I live 3 hrs from the nearest Toyota Dealer/Repair. Might be able to use the extended warranty with this mechanic.

 

It happens...replace the starter and move on.

 

Glenwood Springs (Bighorn Toyota) isn't that far away, unless you have some aversion to them.

 

That looks like a good tester. I would have bought that if had seen this before purchasing the one I have.