.. parked outside.. plugged in block heater
came out in am.. no crank... have headlights.. .. battery good . all fuses good.. tapped on starter ... solenoid... check ok.. any ideas / leads
i have FSM & haynes ... 1st time with this type issue in 20 years of owning

 

My truck had the exact same symptoms; my problem ended up being the battery. My battery had enough power to run the lights and radio and engage the solenoid a little, but not enough to send power to the starter motor.

 

that could be a bunch of things. if you got a DVOM or just a VOM check available voltage at your starter before and after you turn the key. check battery available voltage. should be about 12 volts off, 14 running. you could also bench test the starter

 

I had the same problem with my 86 4runner, automatic. Ended up being the neutral control safety switch. Took it off cleaned it. Started without a problem. Now the back-up lights work and it will start in neutral which it wouldn't do before

 

check your battery terminals. if they are loose, they might have enough juice to flick on the lights, but not enough to turn it over. is it a standard? can you pop start it?

 

How so? You checked that voltage is reaching the solenoid from the battery, and also voltage is on the STA wire to the solenoid?
How did you do that by tapping?

 

Tapped on starter 1st with tire iron ...to see if loose wire might be the cause..how would you like to lie on the ground in the snow when it's below 0 degrees... Have tapped it in past when it gets cold .. & worked...not this time.. Pushed into my garage.. Then bypassed the starter relay by connecting + battery -
only a year old & 13.34 volts directly to the solenoid terminal .. The solenoid/ starter ok... Engine starts up...able to shut engine off @ ignition switch continuity check of starter relay is very suspect... Unstable readings & didn't work with "+" battery connected.. All other related wiring checks out...
Dealer gonna #$%#$ again...

 

do you got 12V to the solenoid when the key is in the START position? if you do then everything up to that point is good, probably the solenoid.

 

Possibly the contacts in the starter are worn out?