One click!

[Lodp5]

It’s happened the last three days. I get into fire it up and all I get is one click! Gauges are all bright. Everything still works. Tap the starter with a hammer once or twice and it “so far” will fire up. Battery has close to 13 volts and while running reads close to 14. Replace the starter. Truck has 33000 miles on it.

 

[Treburkulosis]

Sounds like my truck. The battery cable was loose. I would get one click and then it would start. It got worse and when I went to replace the battery is when I figured it out. It hasn't done it since.

 

[Lodp5]

I’ll look into that. Thanks!

 

[Curt Gobbell]

FYI...my 2014 5.7 had a failed starter solenoid yesterday.

symptoms = push start button and hear one single click, but engine never cranked over.
diagnosis = hit starter solenoid with a hammer and it started right up
solution = replace starter/solenoid (1 hour job)

the solenoid will fail over time and hitting it with a hammer will vibrate it enough to allow the electromagnet to engage

 

[Jeepwalker]

Yep. Start with battery connections. It's free to check and fix ...might be all it is. Then grounds, wiggle or swap start relay (in fuse box) ...make sure engine ground is good and starter cables are good. There's always the possibility the starter solenoid on the starter itself is going out, but given your tk's low mileage, start with the other things.

the solenoid will fail over time and hitting it with a hammer will vibrate it enough to allow the electromagnet to engage

Yep. That's a possibility. Or a wire/cable to the solenoid. The solenoid itself can be replaced separately. The rest of the starter should be in like-new condition. Or buy a new unit.