Problem Starting My Tacoma, Drained Battery

The past two weeks my 2006 Tacoma has had trouble starting. It has happened three times so far. I believe something is draining my battery when my car is off. After the first time it happened I got towed home and installed a new battery the next day, so it's not the battery. Iv been able to recharge the battery by jumping it and she starts up just fine and the car runs fine when I disconnect the battery so it can't be the alternator. Any ideas TacomaWorld? Thank You!

 

I'd use my clamp-on amp meter to figure out what is draining the battery.

 

In the past two weeks, have you done anything electrical related to your truck? New head unit, subwoofers, amp, cb radio, etc.

 

I installed a head unit about 10 months ago, have not touched it since. Other then that I have not done anything electrical related.

 

Any suggestions on places to test? If the car is off the only things that could drain the battery would be the starter and lights right?

 

I haven't had this issue, but I've read on here where some people have.

When they leave the headlight switch on all the time ( as I do ). They should go off when the engine is off and the drivers door is opened. Sometimes that doesn't work. ( due to the passenger door being opened first ???) Maybe this is the issue? Just a thought.

Here is a link to the thread: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/257918-2012-headlights-not-turning-off.html

 

Google "Car battery drain test" for help on the matter. I have done many of these in the past and with a little patience you should find the problem.

In the meantime, check your battery connections, mainly to the block and starter to make sure you don't have any corrosion.

 

Check your serpentine belt, could be loose, cracked or worn down.

 

If you are looking for a simple way to troubleshoot a parasitic load that is draining your battery, check out Section 10 in the Car and Deep Cycle Battery FAQ on www.batteryfaq.org. If you disconnect your battery to test a running alternator, you can fry your electronics because the alternator looses it's reference.

 

Take a look underneath for cut wires?

Pull all your light fuses for one night and see what happens? Or start with the stereo on for the first night.

Is there any old acid coating any of the battery or battery cables? Clean with water and baking soda.

Do you have a tow light plug? Check the connections for pull outs.

Have you put a volt meter on the battery when it is running? Should be more than 13 volts.