The immobilizer will disable the fuel injection & spark. The starter will spin the engine just fine with a bad immobilizer chip.

 

^ Oh yeah. Duh. I guess my head wasn't on straight yesterday. All these insurance claims are killing me! It's the busy season

 

I'm suddenly having the same problem with my car, same year and model - I drove it this morning with no problems, jumped in it to run an errand this afternoon, and all I get is a single loud click.
Yes, there's about 12V left in the battery according to the tester even after trying repeatedly to start the car, and yes, all the battery connections are clean, for all those who have to ask. The last time something like this happened with a different car, it was a wire that had been chewed on by the local rabbit - but I can't find such a wire.

 

OK, now not even getting the single 'Click'.

 

Verify you have 12V going to the small wire at the starter (blk/wht I think) when you turn the key to the start position. You'll probably need an assistant. You can also have them hold the key in the start position and tap on the starter near the small wire with the handle of screwdriver with light/medium force.

 

This is a photo of the location of the starter for a 4 cylinder engine.

 

Thanks, tried tapping the starter but with no success. Nothing was blown in the fuse box either. A neighbor helped me get another starter, and is helping put it in. I'll let you know the results!

 

The car lives! Swapping out the starter worked.