Ke30 Single Tick Noise

[archrolla]

Hi everyone, I recently was given a ke30 that was sitting in a yard with a 3k engine that doesn't start. The engine turns over but when I hook up jumper leads the corolla makes one click noise and nothing else. I think its the solenoid in the starter motor, but would like someone that knows a bit more. Thanks

[Banjo]

Welcome aboard !  How long has this KE30 been sitting in this yard ?  If it has been a long time, & the engines condition, is unknown; then there are several things You should do before trying to start it. 

The first thing before even trying to start it, is to remove all spark plugs, & pour a little light oil, into each spark plug hole. Let it settle for fifteen minutes, so the light oil, can seep down through the rings, & wet the lower bore.  Make sure there is oil in the sump, but if it looks old & very thick, then change the oil, & oil filter. Then take a socket & bar, & place on the crankshaft pulley bolt head at the front of the engine, & see if the engine turns over easily, clockwise, with no spark plugs inserted; which means there will be no compression.

If that all works so far, then hook up a battery, & turn the engine over with the starter motor.

If the engine spins freely, then there are two other things You need, which is fuel & ignition. 

Undo the fuel line & turn the engine over with the starter motor, & ensure fuel is being sucked up from the fuel tank, at the rear.  

Likewise, Hook a spark plug up to the output of the ignition coil, & earth the spark plug body, & check there is a spark across the spark plug.

If all good for fuel & spark, then replace all spark plugs & leads, & try to start it. However, before you try starting it, ensure the air filter is not blocked. If the air filter is in questionable shape, then remove it altogether, just for the first start.

Let us know how You fare, or whether You get stuck, anywhere, along the way.

Cheers Banjo

[altezzaclub]

"makes one click noise and nothing else. "

Often a  symptom of a worn ring-gear/starter gear and a run-down battery. The motor usually stops in the same position so a few teeth on the ring gear get worn out and the starter gear jams as it engages. One click and nothing..

You've solved the battery being flat by now, & the other is as you said, the solenoid contacts are burned away.

Check the compression/spark as Banjo said and tow start it in third gear! So long as you can get red ignition lights it will run... ah wait, it might be an auto...  That wouldn't work for the worst possible Corolla I can imagine, a 3K with a crappy GM 3-speed auto!

'Don't expect much if you can smell old fuel, it will need a general cleanup to run nicely.