Could it be a problem with the alternator or do I need a new battery?

I have a 2007 tacoma with 173k miles. About 2 weeks ago I had a full service done- oil change, transmission flush, alignment, new air filter, and drive belt replaced. I've never had any issues with a dead battery or truck not starting until today. My truck turns on- AC blows, radio, headlights, but my truck won't turn over and there is a clicking noise. The battery was last replaced in 2010. Could it be a problem with the alternator or do I need a new battery?

 

Sounds like it's the starter.

You can get your battery load tested, but i'm sure it will be fine.

One test you can try is tap the starter with a mallet. If it starts, then you there's a strong chance it's the starter.

 

I would put a bet on the battery.
3 years is good. (I'm lucky to get 3 due to the heat).
Do a load check.

Yuma Taco,

 

Remove the terminals from the battery, clean the terminals and posts until they are shiney. Reinstall the terminals making sure they are both tight. If that doesn't solve the issue. Get a jump start and have the battery tested and or replaced.

I'm betting it is the battery.

 

What kind of battery did you put in it back in 2010?

Not all batteries are created equal and some are gonna last longer than others.

I replaced my OEM battery after 5 years and there was nothing wrong with it. I did it as a precautionary measure. Because the OEM battery lasted so long, I put another OEM battery in it.

Check all your connections and clean your terminals. But - it's probably the battery. The clicking sound means your battery doesn't have enough power/amps to start the truck. Or a cell went bad, etc.

 

I 2nd cleaning and tightening the terminals, and put the battery on the charger. Then get the battery load tested.

 

Is it a maintenance free battery? If not, make sure its topped up with distilled water. If you hear clicks when you turn the key, thats the solenoid barking for power, means low power (dead batt) If it was an alternator issue, truck wouldn't stay running after a boost.

 

^^ This is the answer.

 

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/inourstores/services.jsp
Autozone will test and charge your battery for free! Try that on a day off first.

 

Im gonna agree with mostly everyone else here and say its the battery. Batteries are not created equal for sure. I've had several Toyota oem batteries last over 5 years, but i've had autozone or walmart batteries last 2 years and they are shot.

 

charge battery fully, if you can not start it use a battery charger. then get a digital volt meter, they are $5-$10 at autozone or radio shack.

put meter on it after charged, it should say 13.8 volts. now leave meter on it for several minutes, if battery is going bad in a few minutes you will see voltage slowly drop.

also check water level in battery.

 

Battery. My 07 appearently developed a parasitic drain that I can't find. So, if I don't drive it for two days, it does that exact same thing.

 

do you have hi-amp draw accessories, amps, lights, inverter, etc? check your power and ground lines CAREFULLY!

thats a sign of a line with a poor contact, maybe fraid or corrosion inside the plastic coating. it is constantly changing continuity which causes a small draw, i dealt with it before when EVERYTHING tested good and i still had a phantom draw. turned out that the 2ga power wire i had run inside the cab from battery started to get corrosion like you see on batt terminal on the inside some how.

 

If the battery is fully charged, the terminals are all making good contact (no corrosion) and there is a click sound when you attempt to start you engine, the most probably cause are the solenoid contacts. Could also be worn stater motor brushes. Sometimes a tap on the starter with a hammer will reseat the contacts (or brushes) enough to start the engine.