Does This Sound Like a Dead Battery to You?

Sunday, I had my hood opened and cranked my 01 Taco and a little smoke came from the negative terminal. I thought, either it was dirty or there was a short, so I cleaned the terminal and the smoke problem was solved.

Monday and Tuesday, it cranked and drove normally.

This morning, as soon as I put the key in the ignition, the door-open bell was dinging and would cut off, ding a again, skip a ding, cut off, etc; it was definitely struggling. The interior light wouldn't come on (I keep it in the 'off' position at all times, so I didn't leave it on and drain the battery). I turned the ignition and I could hear the starter click, but nothing else.

I didn't have time to jump it off, so I just got in the fiance's car and went to work. At lunch, I'm gonna take a multimeter to it to be sure. The battery is just an el cheapo AutoCraft from Advanced Auto Parts from probably 2 years ago.

I'm just wanting to verify that this sounds like a classic case of a shot battery.

 

BAAAMP

 

Sure sounds like it's dead. Get it tested to be sure but don't replace it with the parts store crap batteries.

 

Yeah, I'm definitely gonna test it before I go buy a new one. When I bought my last one, I was broke as a joke, so this time I'll definitely get something better.

 

Obviously test the battery, but to be honest I am thinking that when you removed the terminal and cleaned it that perhaps when reconnecting you didn't get a solid connection. That is my opinion. But yes, always good to get the battery checked.

 

Just ran home real quick and tried to jump it off and nothing. I hooked the jumper cables to my fiancee's car and it wouldn't do anything. I've got these battery terminal connectors, so I'm pretty sure it's got a connection, but I'll check again when I get off when I test the battery:



It sucks being at work because I'm ready to solve this crap!

 

It was just a bad connection. Just saved myself a cool $100

 

No applause, No applause, just make a donation to Mike's (aka Wuzzy121) memorial fund! Hahaha

 

thanks! There was buildup from when I put the new heavy duty connectors on

 

Good on you for the cheap n' easy fix.