118k miles. All recalls up to date. Will intermittently not start or crank, just a single click. All lights and accessories will come on. ‘ Lightning bolt’ light will come on then go off and check engine will come on. Cheap code tester gives P0197: oil temp sensor.Starter and battery replaced within last 90 days, battery tests at 12.4. Replaced throttle body and checked starter and starter relay- both good. Attempted to start in neutral but no go.
Seems to start well when cold but trouble seems to be when it has been driven in the last few hours.
Plan to change the oil temp and crank sensors in the am but not sure If those would cause the issues I’m seeing.
This is the vehicle my teenager is now driving so I’m really needing to get this resolved but I am at a loss.
Any ideas? I’m thinkin I may have some kind of electrical gremlin but don’t know for sure. HELP!!

 

That single click may be the sound of the starter solenoid closing to send power to the starter motor, but the starter motor itself is not spinning. You could try the old school trick of tapping on the starter motor with a rubber mallet if you can reach it, or a broomstick handle if it's a bit trickier to access. If after a few taps the starter again work, then chances are very good your starter is worn out and should be replaced. Typically a low battery condition will cause the starter solenoid to click rapidly a few times.

The lightning bolt light sounds interesting, if you have your owner's manual you should look up what that indicator is indicating.

-Rod

 

Thanks for the response! I did jumper across the starter relay and it fired off fine. Also tested the relay and it was also good. Starter was just replaced 3 months ago, same as the battery.

 

Oh, I must have missed that the starter was recently replaced. Out of curiosity, were the starter and battery replaced in an attempt to resolve this issue, or did the issue begin after they were replaced? Is the single click you hear loud like the starter solenoid closing, or more subtle like a relay closing? When the no start occurs, have you been able to check for voltage to the starter on both the Red and the Yellow/Gray wires?

-Rod

 

No worries, I spewed a lot of Info out there because it’s been an ongoing saga for so long lol…They were replaced in response to this issue. Thought we had it solved til a few days ago.
The click seems like it’s louder, coming from the solenoid. When we jumpered across the relay it did crank so I’m thinking of just replacing that relay as well. (Even though when we tested the relay it seemed good) Have not had the opportunity to do any voltage testing, but will finally be able to get her up on a jack today.

 

Get under the vehicle and check the single wire going to the started. It sometimes come loose and will not allow the engine to crank over. I have run into this a few times.