No start, pretty sure it's the key/tumbler

Battery is fully charged and all - not a juice problem

this problem first happened a month ago. Turn key, get one click and no cranking action.

got it started twice that day by pushing it, putting into gear and trying a few times
the next day a friend jimmied the key in a little, heard a click - the key went in "better" and started every time for a month- no indication of a problem.
then it happened again, and I cannot figure out how to re-jimmy it...haha

i have an appointment to get it looked at/fixed
but looking for pointers on starting it- to get it to dealership

thank you

 

If you can turn the key it isn't a tumbler problem.

When you turn it and it "clicks" that is the solenoid to supply power to the starter motor pulling in. When it does nothing after that it could be several reasons for that:

1. Battery is too weak to supply enough current to turn the engine.
2. The battery terminal(s) are loose and have too much resistance so low current to starter.
3. The solenoid has worn internal contacts and is preventing current flow to the starter motor.

These are most common.

 

Thank you jimmy
I have replaced the battery as it tested as having a bad cell
it worked great for 2 weeks
now i am getting the same symptoms again

also, i'm not sure this is normal, when i have the key in the on position, there is a strange humming from what sounds like down below the engine...

 

I remember I had symptoms similar to this, and it turns out one of my terminals was just a hair loose. And I really do mean just a hair loose. Once I disconnected both terminals and re-tightened them, all was right in the world.

 

thank you for the tips.

I kinda thought it could be terminal connector too...
Will check the solenoid route next if it persists

 

So after 2 trips to the dealership, a new battery and a few hundred bucks poorer, it was determined that my starter had gone out, at under 64K miles.
nice.