2008 - Won't start after new clutch

[007finger]

I have a 2008 Yaris. 180k-ish miles. I just finished putting a new clutch in and getting it all back together. It's taken a while in between other projects so the car has been sitting for a few months. I charged the battery up, put everything back together and... nothing. The dash lights come on, the radio lights up, but it won't start. I bypassed the clutch switch. Still won't start. There is zero click or noise coming from the starter solenoid. I took the starter it to the parts store. They say it's bad. I just put a new one in. No change.

At some point during all the attempts at starting, I noticed that the dash lights were staying on all the time - even with the key completely out of the ignition. I lubed the ignition cylinder and the lights now no longer stay on, but the car still won't start. There is still no noise at all coming from the solenoid.

I also tried shorting the solenoid posts with the a screwdriver and the key in the 'on' position - nothing.

This is a base model Yaris with no security system or chip in the key. Manual windows, manual locks, cloth interior. If it has any options at all, I don't know what it is.

Is there an ignition switch at the base of the column like in some older vehicles? Or is everything right there in the column near the ignition?

Thanks for any help!!

[Neinris]

Try push starting it.

[ex-x-fire]

Is there power getting to the small and large starter wires? Is the starter grounded?

[007finger]

Originally Posted by ex-x-fire

Is there power getting to the small and large starter wires? Is the starter grounded?

There is power at the post on the solenoid but it's dead on the other side. I didn't have another person so I couldn't test it while it was cranking.

Yes the starter is grounded. It's bolted to the engine block.

[stykerdk]

And what about Ground wire from frame to the engine is it ok.
You Can check it by connecting the Ground on the battery to the engine with a starter cable .

[007finger]

The ground strap was loose. Thanks for the pointer! All good now.