2006 Tundra, crew cab 4.7L SR5 - starter keeps cranking after engine starts

I was replacing my headlight lamps and disconnected the positive battery terminal. After the lamp replacement I went to reconnect the positive terminal and drew an arc. Now when I attempt to start the truck the starter continues to spin after the engine starts. I fried something?

 

That sounds very odd. Video?

 

I guess this is a learning moment also: Always disconnect the negative battery cable.

 

Well, I went out to take a video and it fired right up with no issues. So I shut it off and then the problem reoccurred.

Hard to hear but the engine starts up but the starter stays engaged as if I was holding the key in the start position.

I'm assuming that somewhere on this truck there's a starter relay? I've looked but I don't see anything evident in the relay/fuse boxes that I've opened.

https://youtube.com/shorts/KCr7JOToM14?si=6nShtTPwUD1fDDix

 

Swap a relay and see if that fixes the issue. If not. The only thing I can think of would be the solenoid is stuck open. But it hard to hear what’s going on in your vid. It sounded like “ticking” through my speakers not a starter still engaged but I don’t think that’s your fault

 

Copy that. I'm just trying to find where that relay lives. It seems to be different location wise on each year of the Tundra.........................

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/solved-new-starter-same-result-help-what-am-i-missing.73868/

 

So this is what I've got under the hood. I did hitch a ride into town and picked up some electrical cleaner and some key lube. When I do go to start the truck sometimes the first try it fires up as is normal. Then when I turn it off and try to restart I get the engine starting with the starter remaining engages.

So I tried to clean lube the ignition switch and the same process occured. First time started right up normally and second start had the 'hung up' starter.


Sadly, 1996 T100 has a broken cv axle and is undrivable. I'm taking it in on Monday to have both cv axles replaced.

 

Any chance your truck has the leftovers of an aftermarket alarm? May be making the system act kind of weird.

 

I bought the truck new. It does have an alarm system that came with the truck. And, yes, it is acting weird!

More relays in the engine compartment:

 

Those pictures didn't come through for some reason.

Is the "alarm" system the standard Toyota TVIP system, or is there also a dealer add-on? Some vehicles got both brand new from the dealership. Dealerships loved the idea of letting their techs, who knew little of nothing about alarm installs, to put in a $50 alarm system that they could upsell for $1k-2k!

I'd consider removing the alarm. If your confidence is low, you may be able to hire a shop, or, depending on which system it is (SECURIKEY+? KARR?) there may be videos or step by step instructions online.