2007 dead

Hi. Today my 2007 tundra died. Lights all work, won’t even try to turn over. Throwing codes for cam shaft sensor but mechanic thinks it’s starter, $1000.00. Here is my question…
It’s done this same thing 4 times in last couple months but if you put your foot on brake it started fine. Normally it starts without foot on brake and I gather it’s not supposed to. So is there a switch or sensor that controls starting with brake pedal that could be bad?

 

Yes

 

So what is it that completes the circuit that could be faulty? Because I’ve just leaned in and started it lots of times.

 

The brake peddle has nothing to do with your 07 starting. My 07 Limited starts every time without touching the brake peddle.

 

Ok. Well maybe it really is the starter. Do you think a starter would just go out without warning? I really hate to pay 1000 for them to take apart and test it.

 

Starter is notorious on that model year to go, but if starter goes then it wouldn't start. If it's still starting with brake pedal pressed down I'd hook up to scan gauge and see if it throws codes. Could also try disconnecting battery pos/neg terminals for a few minutes or put a new battery in and see what happens

 

Battery is fine. It throws codes for cam sensor. Nothing else. It’s stopped dead a couple times and putting foot on brake and then started but maybe that’s coincidence. This time brake didn’t help. Mechanic thinks starter

 

Starter would not be my first thought. Should have signs of a starter dying. Slow starts, occasional clicking instead of starting etc. Just randomly not working with other codes showing makes me less suspicious. Address the cam sensor first. Then check to see the neutral / park safety switch is ok. The. Check the cables for the starter, usually the ground cable would be the culprit. Could also have a bad battery. Starter would be last on that list.

 

I’m sure the battery is ok as all lights work. Mechanic said if cam sensor was bad it would at least turn the motor even if it wouldn’t start. But it doesn’t do anything. When you turn the ignition switch it’s dead quiet.

 

I have an '08, and yes the brake pedal does not need to be depressed for the truck to start.

I also had a starter go out on the truck after 200k, but it did not throw CEL or codes; it just wouldn't start.... this occurred after several days of sluggish starts and ended up being the solenoid in the starter. It's not a cheap replacement, so I would not just throw a starter at it hoping to fix as @KNABORES stated.

Did your cam shaft sensor codes come up at the same time or have you had them?

Battery, grounding strap, etc. are more likely scenarios w/o further info...

 

Cendit, D\do you have a 2nd key or FOB?

Your truck (all "modern" trucks/cars since early 2000's) are required to have an immobilizer feature. You can call it anti-theft system.

When you go to start the truck the little chip in the FOB, or key, pings the immobilizer to say "hey its me. I'm legit. Tell the fuel pump to pump fuel." If the teeny tiny battery in the FOB/key is dying or dead then this handshake with the immobilizer won't happen. Truck will crank. Lights will work. Stereo will blast. But it won't start: no fuel. She thinks she's being stolen

 

My best gen(2006) doesn’t have a G key with immobilizer.

 

I have 4 key fobs. It refused starting with 2 of them. The mechanic can’t get it on lift till next week and I guess will attempt to test starter. As truck has not had any issues since I bought it 2 years ago, I’ve never put a code reader on it so I don’t know if it was throwing code or not. I definately should have.

 

Do you have an aftermarket alarm?

 

No

 

Does it start with the other two fobs?

 

I don’t know, didn’t try. Could 2 go bad?

 

Crawl under the Tundra and find your starter and give it a couple taps. If it's the starter it most likely will start. I just replaced my starter, no worning. It just stop working.

 

which motor do you have? You won’t find the starter underneath a 4.7

 

5.7

 

Man how have you missed all those starter threads? These are not 350 chevys.

 

I wouldn't be so sure the battery is fine based on the lights all working. I've had two situations now where all the lights worked but the car wouldn't start and all it needed was a new battery.

 

Actually make that 3 times, although never on a 5.7.
Once on a 2012 Accord, once on a 2017 Tacoma, and once on a 2004 Tundra.

 

Sounds like it could be a battery issue then. Have you replaced the battery ever after buying it 2 years ago?

 

Most failed starters mentioned here had a heck of a lot miles and years on them. Not sure about notorious based on whats been reported here over the years.

 

This is hella late, may be too late.

I would pay to see someone tap on that 5.7 starter from the bottom, without removing anything, LOL... If it's camshaft sensor I would consider something else besides the starter. I do wonder if she purchased the truck used and an aftermarket alarm was partially removed from the truck, leaving certain things still plugged in like a remote starter that once you step on the brake without the key it kills the engine, this comes from her saying she has 4 fobs well what kind of fobs? all OEM, OEM and aftermarket?.

I would say starter, but that would be accompanied by a crankshaft sensor fault, it will also leave you stranded as if it was a battery issue, feel free to ask me how I know. Another issue may be the immobilizer, stating she doesn't hear anything when trying to start. I kinda know what she means as when my starter died I wouldn't hear anything besides the fuel pump whine behind the radio, obviously radio was off.

 

Just went thru the starter replacement job.

Jump the starter relay under the hood. See if it forces the starter to roll over or not.

 

Just because the lights are working doesn’t mean the battery isn’t weak. A weak battery can affect a lot of systems. I would get the battery tested it’s not so much the voltage but the amperage if the amperage is less than 40% of the rated I would replace. Life expectancy is 3-4 yrs, less if you live in a hot climate