98 3.4 Won't Start, Clicks Once

Hey so I have a 98 at 155k. It was running great until the other day after I swapped my head unit when it refused to start. Upon turning the keys, itll click once and that's it. At first I thought it was a fuse and I did find a bad one, for the radio. Even with the new fuse, it still won't start. I thought it might be the TDS acting up but I have no idea what to do there. Any ideas?

 

The contacts in the starter's solenoid could be boogered. That's a well-known problem (on this forum). You might try searching for "starter motor contacts" here. Other than that, your battery may be used up.

If you have a 3.4L engine then you may have some difficulty removing the starter. It took me about 7 hours from start to finish to remove the starter, replace the contacts ($30 or so), and reinstall the starter. But then again I'm gettin' old and feeble.

Go ahead, search for help. Especially useful is the video by Timmah (Timmy the Toolman on Youtube).

 

Do you have any power anywhere else?

How old is the battery? Have you tried a charge or a jump? If yes, what happened? If no, why not?

The fuse was blown because you were futzing with electronics with the battery still connected. If I'm wrong, and you disconnected the battery to do your work, then check your connections first.

 

You're right as to why the fuse was blown. I did try jumping the battery and the same thing continued to happen. I have full power to all electronics and the battery is around 2 weeks old.

 

Anyway to check the contacts without removing the alternator? Thanks for all the other tips/leads.

 

I think you mean starter. You could have someone turn the key while you tap the starter with a wooden hammer handle. Obviously make sure the truck is in park or out of gear. It cranks while tapping the starter, its probably bad contacts.

 

Yeah i meant the starter, it didnt crank while i tapped it but it's also covered in oil or carbon. Looks like it needs to be cleaned, not sure if that would affect conductivity with the contacts.

 

Probably easier to just replace it all together. Get a reman denso off rockauto for less than $100

 

From what I've read, Toyota starters almost never go bad on these trucks, it's almost always the solenoid which can be picked up new from my local napa today for around 30$ apparently. The solenoid is attached to the starter I believe so I'll have to remove it regardless.

 

Yes, you'll have to remove the starter to work on the solenoid (which is not remove-able from the starter body).
The contacts and plunger (within the solenoid) are easily replaced, and come in a kit.