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Why Won’t My Toyota Sequoia Start?

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Tahir Azam
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The Toyota Sequoia is a full-size SUV that has been around since 2000. It was built with durability, so you can expect it to hold up over time.

It has a powerful engine and a sleek look that will turn heads wherever you go. Sequoia is the perfect vehicle for a family of five or six who needs space and comfort in their daily lives.

However, the Sequoia has had many issues in the past, which have been a source of headache for many owners. One of those issues is that it refuses to start.

Many owners have been trying to find out why won’t my Toyota Sequoia start? Fortunately for you, this article will cover all the possible reasons for it happening.

Let’s list them down first:

  1. Failing Battery
  2. Corrosion Or Frayed Wires
  3. Faulty Starter Motor
  4. Failing Fuel Pump
  5. Clogged Fuel Filter

All of the problems that have been mentioned above will be discussed in detail in this article. I would suggest that you don’t skip over anything.

So, without any further ado, let’s get straight into it.

What Would Cause A Toyota Sequoia To Not Start?

Let's find out what are the turning over issues with your Toyota Sequoia

You may be in a hurry and may have skipped the introduction.

I started the common reasons which could lead to the Toyota Sequoia not starting.

This section will discuss them in detail, so you can take appropriate action.

1: Failing Battery

If your Toyota Sequoia doesn’t start, one of the most likely causes is a failing battery.

The battery tends to fail at some point in almost every vehicle’s life, and when it does, it can be frustrating and inconvenient.

If your Sequoia has been sitting for a while or hasn’t been driven much in the past few months, this could be why you aren’t getting any juice when you try to turn over the engine.

This is a more plausible reason, as batteries slowly lose their charge when not used. This issue is annoying but is easy to identify.

A dead battery or one with a low charge will emit a clicking sound whenever the key is turned in the ignition. This means there is not enough electricity to turn over the engine.

What Should You Do About It?

Before replacing your battery or taking your Toyota Sequoia into an auto shop for repairs, there are a few things you can try at home first to see if they’ll help get your vehicle started again.

  • The first thing I recommend trying is jumping starting your vehicle from another vehicle with a strong battery and good jumper cables. Make sure both vehicles have their parking brakes set before attempting this.
  • If this doesn’t work, try charging up your Sequoia’s battery by using a battery charger.
  • If that is not the solution, then the battery is probably dead. You need to replace it, preferably with an AGM one.

2: Corrosion Or Frayed Wires

Corrosion is one of the most common reasons why your Toyota Sequoia will not start.

Corrosion can be caused by several different things: moisture, exposure to high or low temperatures, or even just sitting in one place for too long.

Sometimes frayed wires are also the culprit behind starting problems.

The wiring system is complex and made up of many different pieces that need to work together perfectly for your vehicle to work properly.

When one of these wires becomes damaged or broken, it can cause problems with start up, especially if they are the ones that are attached to the battery.

What Should You Do About It?

  • The first thing to do is check all of your connections.
  • Ensure that the wires are securely fastened at each end and that there isn’t any fraying. If they’re frayed, you’ll need to replace them.
  • You should check for corrosion too. It can be identified by deposits on the battery posts.
  • You can use a wire brush to break through the corrosion, so a proper connection can be established.
  • If the corrosion is too much, the only solution is to replace the battery.

Both of these issues are annoying, and you need to take these steps to ensure that they are alleviated and your Toyota Sequoia can start without any issues.

3: Faulty Starter Motor

The starter motor is a small electric motor that starts your vehicle’s engine. If the starter motor is faulty, it will not be able to start your vehicle.

This is expected if your Toyota Sequoia has more than 100000 miles on it. Now, the question arises, how can you figure out if the starter motor is faulty?

Well, it has a very distinct clicking sound. This signals that the engine cannot be turned over.

Now, the clicking sound can be due to a faulty battery. You need to narrow down the issue before you move on to suspecting the alternator.

What Should You Do About It?

  • If you have determined that the cause is a faulty starter motor, you should replace it immediately with a new one.
  • You can do this yourself or have a professional come to do it for you.
  • However, if you choose to replace it yourself, you need to be aware that many different types of starter motors are available on the market today.
  • They all require different installation methods, so make sure that before purchasing one off Amazon or eBay, there are no compatibility issues with your Toyota Sequoia’s make/model.
  • A new motor does not cost a lot, so you don’t have to worry about making too large of a hole in your wallet.
  • You should replace the motor as soon as possible because there are no repair options available for it.

4: Failing Fuel Pump

A fuel pump failure is one of the rarer causes of when it comes to starting issues. Failure of your vehicle’s fuel pump can lead to a no-start condition.

For those who don’t know, this part’s work is exactly as the name implies. It pumps fuel from the gas tank to the engine.

When you step on the pedal, the pump is the part that works hard to meet the engine’s fuel demand. There is a low chance of failure, but it is possible.

Whether old age or something else, the Toyota Sequoia’s fuel pump is not immune to such issues, it can fail slowly, which exhibits the issue of the SUV stalling while driving sometimes.

Or it can fail instantly, leaving you nowhere to go.

What Should You Do About It?

  • If you suspect that your vehicle’s fuel pump has failed, then you must get it replaced as soon as possible before any other parts fail due to lack of fuel supply.
  • You should contact your local Toyota dealership for advice or help with replacing this part on your vehicle.
  • There are no options to repair this part as it is crucial.
  • Although I normally advise going to a third-party shop for repair work, this one has more important. So, you should spend a bit more and get the fuel pump replaced from Toyota only.

Fuel pumps are costly but are easily available. If you are one of the unfortunate ones with a failed fuel pump, you should not waste time implementing the above-given solution.

5: Clogged Fuel Filter

The fuel filter is one of the most important parts of your Toyota Sequoia engine because it keeps contaminants from entering the fuel system.

The filter is a thin membrane that traps dirt, debris, and other particles in the gasoline before they reach your engine.

Over time, these contaminants can build up on its surface and clog it to the point where it will not let any fuel pass through.

This can result in a lack of fuel inside the engine, which can result in the engine not being able to start up or stall while running.

What Should You Do About It?

  • Once you’ve determined that your fuel filter needs to be replaced, make sure you find out how much time has passed since it was last changed.
  • This step is not necessary but will allow you to assess just how long a filter lasts before it needs replacing. Usually, the number is around 20000 to 300000 miles.
  • If you don’t have a replacement filter handy, you can try using an air compressor or other high-pressure air source to blow out any clogs that are in place.
  • This can be effective when done carefully, but don’t use too much pressure or too much airflow as this could damage the fuel filter.
  • Moreover, this can result in it not being able to stop contaminants from entering the engine, which can wreak havoc on it.
  • You can clean the filter, but only if you need to. But you should still plan to change it as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why Won’t My Toyota Sequoia Start With New Battery?

Firstly, it’s possible that the new battery is low on charge.

If this is the case, you should try charging it before attempting to start the Toyota Sequoia again.

Another possibility is that there’s an issue with one of the other parts that help power your SUV.

It could be the starter motor or the alternator.

Q2. Why Won’t My Toyota Sequoia Start Even With A Jump?

The first thing to check is the battery. If your Toyota Sequoia is not starting even with a jump, that means your battery is completely dead and needs replacement.

This could also signal that the starter motor is not working. It is responsible for turning over the engine. If that is the case, jumping the battery will not help.

Q3. Why Won’t My Toyota Sequoia Start But Lights Work?

If your Toyota Sequoia’s lights work, but the engine won’t turn over, it’s likely that your battery is low on charge, which means that the alternator is faulty.

The alternator is responsible for charging the battery. If it is not working, the battery will slowly drain to the point that it cannot produce enough current to start the engine.

Q4. Why Won’t My Toyota Sequoia Start But Cranks?

The first thing to check is whether the fuel filter is clogged or not. If it isn’t, check if your fuel pump is working properly.

If it is not the source of the issue, then you need to replace the spark plugs. They are responsible for igniting the fuel for it to be converted to energy.

Q5. Why Won’t My Toyota Sequoia Start Just Clicks?

The clicking sound indicates that your Toyota Sequoia isn’t starting because of an electrical issue. It could be a dead alternator, but it’s more likely that your battery is going out.

If you have a mechanic check the battery and alternator, they can tell you what’s wrong with your SUV and fix it for you.

Q6. Why Won’t My Toyota Sequoia Start In The Cold Weather?

You may be having trouble starting your Toyota Sequoia in cold weather because the battery is not designed to work in it.

Not all batteries are designed to work in such conditions. The best way around this is to buy a battery that has more than 800CA for a reliable startup in cold temperature conditions.

Q7. Why Won’t My Toyota Sequoia Start After I Get Gas?

A clogged fuel filter will cause an engine to stall and not start after getting gas. The same is the case with a fuel pump.

The filter should be changed regularly to ensure this does not happen. There is no way of predicting if or when a pump can fail.

Q8. Why Won’t My Toyota Sequoia Start But Radio Works?

If your Toyota Sequoia doesn’t start, but the radio works, it’s possible that your battery is low on charge or almost dead.

This is common with those that have been in use for a few years. It’s also possible that there’s a problem with your alternator, which is responsible for keeping your battery charged up.

Related: What Are The Worst Years For The Toyota Sequoia?

Conclusion

In times like these, it is never beneficial to become frustrated.

If you found this article, then you may have actually saved hours of time instead of scratching your head and thinking, why won’t my Toyota Sequoia start?

If you’ve made it through this whole article, then you’ve learned everything you need to know, and you’ll be well equipped for any future car or SUV starting issues, which may require diagnosis and narrowing down.

I hope this article had all the information you were looking for. I also hope you get your Toyota Sequoia back in working condition in no time, so you can finally be on the road.

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