HELP. Won’t crank just one click

Hey guys. I have a 2010 Sequoia Platinum. I made the dumbest move ever and removed the ignition fuse while the truck was running. Needles to say She shut off right away. Now she won’t start. Just one click. Battery is good. All
Lights and chimes are on. I changed all the ignition fuses and starter relay as I thought maybe I blew one of them. Same result. I also changed the main ignition fuse in the fuse box under the dash. Tech says he thinks it’s the starter since its doing the one click when trying to start. Never had an issue starting her. Not even a hint of a starting problem until this. 250K miles so maybe the starter but I just don’t think so. Please help. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Ps I removed the ignition switch because the ambient light on the ditch light was not working. I didn’t realize it was relaying to the ignition switch. Shoulda never took anything out with the truck on anyway.

 

I don’t see how removing the fuse did any permanent damage to the starter which would not have been engaged during the pulling of the fuse. Is the clicking coming from the starter or the starter relay?

 

My same thought process. Yes the click is coming from the starter relay. Tech says he hears the fuel pump engaging as well. We tried to knock the starter but couldn’t get to it completely for a good knock.

 

Perhaps the starter relay isn’t providing the starter with 12 volts then. Test it first

 

Sounds like a starter tbh. My starter lasted to 210k, so yours may have been on borrowed time.... Although, you can look for grounding points, as it appears that you have shorted out something. Now you can try to jump it via a wire or paperclip, but I don't remember the correct way to jump it. For this you would place key in the accessory and jump it. I think it was the right terminal to the top one, or straight across. If you only hear a click, you can confirm the starter, if it starts, then you have fried some wiring between the relay and the ignition switch.

 

I put a brand new starter relay in yesterday. Same result. Tech tested all the ignition fuses and volts are good.

 

I did the same, but my starter was gone.... Since you were playing with other systems, you can hope it's something less complicated.

 

So the tech tested the 12v input at the starter yesterday and verified that it was getting 12v when the ignition was turned?

 

Yes he tested the starter relay when the old relay was in and everything was good. Battery is good. I decided to try a new starter relay just in case. He has not tested it since the new relay is in though. But volts test good when the old one was in so I’m thinking it should be the same now.

 

Did he test the starter?

 

This may be way out there, but had somewhat of a similar situation with my neighbor.

Does your truck has a remote start or alarm with a kill switch installed. Earlier models with this type (aftermarket) alarms with kill switches sometimes get engaged. You may want to remove the power source to the alarm and see if that helps.

I am no expert on this, but he had the same issue you are having, everything tested out electrical, disconnect the power source to the alarm and reconnected about an hour later and it fired right up.

 

Yes. He was under the truck testing it while I was trying to start it. He also tested the volts to the starter. He says it’s getting power from the relay which is why the relay is doing one click.

 

This would make way more sense than a randomly failing starter when pulling an ignition fuse.

 

Was he beating on the starter while you tried to start it??

 

Ok so I was thinking the engine immobilizer as well. The truck has a remote start from factory. The red light blinks like normal when the key is removed. I tried to reset the engine immobilizer today but no success. Not sure if I did it right though.

 

He was trying to but he said he couldnt get a really good knock on it because of the location. He would have to remove the exhaust to really get to it.

 

How do I find the power source to the alarm? Just disconnect the battery for a while?

 

Yeah, that thing is deep. Had a tow truck driver try to beat it while I tried starting it. Tow driver was beating something, couldn't tell you what, but he was beating something. Once I replaced the starter, I couldn't figure out what he was beating as it's nestled in there....
You can try deactivating the alarm. Key in the ignition and turn to accessory 2 to 3 times, but don't turn on the truck, and the red light should start flashing rapidly, and try turning it on that way?

 

I’m trying this now. Red light isn’t flashing though.

 

Then try it again, Key in off and turn to acc 2 to 3 times, but really fast, I think it has to be done in like 5 seconds or something like that... there is a light on the left side panel which will flash multiple times. Not the one by the clock that appears to be a car with a key.

 

His was an aftermarket alarm, just disconnect the power to it and left it off.

 

When you say left side panel what are you referring to? Instrument cluster? I don’t see any blinking lights at all.

 

when you sit on the driver side on the expansion panels on the left, there is a red blinking light when you activate the alarm

 

Any update to this. Interested as to what the problem may be and if it was resolved.

 

13 yrs and 250k, I'm going to replace the starter regardless. Don't want to be in a bad spot or bad weather trying to get it done. Just my.02! Good luck!