dead battery

Yes what the title said. My truck was only 16 months old, got an emergency call about my dad in the hospital, ran out jumped in the truck, yep battery was dead. I was not near my selling dealer, nor even close to a toyota dealership.
Do ya'll think my dealer will reimburse me for the battery, or should I just forget about it. Also my radio/cd is cutting off by itself when the truck has been sitting in the sun.

mark

 

Do you have a volt meter? It would be a good tool to put in your toolbox. With the truck turned off what is the battery voltage? A fully charged battery should be about 12.6 volts or higher. If you are in the 12.3 or lower range your battery is probably done. Don't forget that a corroded battery terminal will prevent enough amperage getting to the starter. Make sure the terminals are clean before doing anything else.

Start the truck on a charged battery (or jump it and remove the jumper cables) and let it run a couple of minutes. Check it again and the voltage should be about 13.5 volts or higher. If not then you have a problem with the charging system. If the charging system is good then your battery is toast.

I'm sorry but a hot engine bay is about the worst place for a lead acid battery. Battery technology just isn't good enough yet and batteries are a consumable item like oil and gas. Don't waste your money on an Optima or other fancy name. It may last 10% longer for 50% more money. A Walmart/Sears/Autozone/Pepboys will work just fine. Look for the starting amperage rating and cost. Cheap electrons are exactly the same as expensive electrons.

Also if you ever run down a starting battery (not deep cycle) to dead you really damage it. If that's been done a few times your battery won't last much more than a year or 2.

 

It should be full replacement warranty for the first 24 months, and pro-rata after that.

 

OP, now that you have replaced the battery has the radio stopped dying?

 

no the radio is wacky after the truck has been sitting in the sun. After a mile or two with the air running it mostly plays ok.

mark