[Kingfysh]

I have a 2002 Tundra with a little more then 100,000 miles. The truck has been pretty trouble free, but I am now running into my first real issue.

Occasionally, when I turn the key to start the truck a single click is heard from under the hood, but nothing else. The engine does not turn over and the interior lights dim as if the battery is low or dead. However, if I turn the key off and then re-attempt to start the truck it fires right up and runs normally. Any ideas on what could be causing this?

 

[T3yoda]

First thing I would do is check all your connections from the battery , alternator, and starter. I bet you got a loose ground somewhere.

 

[CoachRon]

My dad's 2002 just started doing this the other day also. We're going to replace the starter next weekend. I'll post back and let you know if that fixes it.

 

[T3yoda]

If it is a loose connection like the ground post on the starter then yes it will fix it..... quite an expensive fix but it will.

Look I had a Tahoe that I had Sears replace the starter on cause I was in a hurry to go on a trip. This is typical for the Chevy starters if you over tighten the ground post on the solenoid it breaks. And behaves just as described. You start the truck and it just clicks and the lights dim. Then upon second try it starts right up. This is in the beginning when there is a loose connection that arcs together on the first try then connects the second. But the situation deteriorates and gets worse over time.

 

[YOTAtoy]

Sounds like a battery connection issue, check your terminals and make sure they are tight and clean

 

[pilotguy]

My 2004 DC does the same thing every now and then. In my case I think what ever switch or mechanism that lets the truck "know" it is Park is the problem. I can turn the key multiple times and nothing happens. Then if I barely bump the shifter toward Park, the engine starts right up on the next try. The dealer told me it was the ignition switch/lock cylinder assembly but I didn't quite buy it. Any thoughts from anyone out there?

 

[T3yoda]

My 2004 DC does the same thing every now and then. In my case I think what ever switch or mechanism that lets the truck "know" it is Park is the problem. I can turn the key multiple times and nothing happens. Then if I barely bump the shifter toward Park, the engine starts right up on the next try. The dealer told me it was the ignition switch/lock cylinder assembly but I didn't quite buy it. Any thoughts from anyone out there?

Makes sense actually I never thought about it but I could see that as a cause.

 

["00"Tundra]

It could also be the starter contacts. A rebuild kit is much cheaper than a new starter.

 

[sctrd]

X2 on the starter contacts. Youtube how to replace just the contacts and you will save alot of $$$

 

[pilotguy]

Makes sense actually I never thought about it but I could see that as a cause.

The reason I thought against the ignition swith/lock cylinder is the cylinder being on the dash with the shifter on the collumn. In my case it may happen almost every start attempt for a day or 2, then starts every time for a couple of months. First started about a year ago. When I first took it in they could not get it to act up. I managed to force a no start by applying a little downward pressure on the shifter, then turning the key. In addition, the service writer told me the electrical part of the switch was not available by itself while the guy in Parts later told me it was. The contradiction caused me not to trust what I was being told.

 

[02whitetundra]

Had the same problem 6 months ago. The starter contacts were corroded. Replaced both and now runs fine. Wait til you see where the starter is located. You have to take half the engine apart to get to it. It's conveniently under the manifold.

 

[YOTAtoy]

Had the same problem 6 months ago. The starter contacts were corroded. Replaced both and now runs fine. Wait til you see where the starter is located. You have to take half the engine apart to get to it. It's conveniently under the manifold.

Under the manifold? that sounds like a total PITA.

 

[apimpdad]

After checking the connections, I would also say the starter contacts. I just did mine and it is very simple and cheap.

 

[Kingfysh]

Thanks for all the help. I just replaced the battery hoping that an old battery might the culprit, but unfortunately no. I also cleaned up all the connections on the battery cables and made sure that everything was tight. This morning when the problem re-occurred I attempted starting both in Park and Neutral, but that did not make a difference, so it sounds like the problem most likely resides in the starter. Speculation is that it is the contacts within the starter, how easy is this to access and fix? I am pretty mechanical, but have never worked on cars much and I hate paying someone to fix something that I could have handled. Any advice?

 

[rhinosarge50]

easy!! its the starter.. happened to me too.. couple bolts and it comes right down. .

 

[apimpdad]

easy!! its the starter.. happened to me too.. couple bolts and it comes right down. .

That is only the case if it is a V6. The V8 is a whole nother can of worms. You have to remove the intake manifold and the fuel rail (all comes off together) and then unbolt and remove the starter.

 

[CoachRon]

I know it's been a couple months since I said I was going to do it, but I finally replaced my dad's starter last weekend (2002 4.7L). He decided to go ahead and have me replace the whole starter since it's kind of a big job. Problem is fixed and now it starts up better than before. The hardest part of replacing the starter is getting the dang starter unbolted. Taking the manifold off is the easy part!