New battery drained

I have a 03 Tacoma dual cab with the v6 that if I do not start and run every few (4-5 days) the battery goes dead..I replaced the battery with a new one even though the one I took out checked good. Any idea of any common issues that would cause the battery to be draining so fast ? Thanks in advance.

 

I have almost the same truck and only use it for camping and have the same issue. But I have a winch directly connected which could be slowly draining. After replacing a battery I just put it on a charger it at least once a week and call it good.

 

Sounds like you have some parasitic drain. A new battery should be okay for 4-5 days without recharge.
It can be things functioning correctly and pulling power when the key is off, or you could have a short somewhere.
Do you have alarm system, aftermarket sound syst, scan guage, leave OBD II reader in hte port all the time, etc? Any of those could be a source. Here are some other threads.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/search/8296674/?q=parasitic&t=post&o=date&c[node]=4

 

I once, several months ago during the winter after having driven to the local store and doing my shopping for aprox 45 minutes, came back to my truck, unlocked it, opened the door and found my blower motor for the heat and air was running without the key even in the ignition . Any idea what causes that ? BTW, I have had the key/ignition tumbler replaced prior to this happening

 

Any other switched power circuits powered up without the ignition on??

If the lock cylinder is really worn I have seen the key pulled out in the accessory position

Maybe it was installed wrong strange things happen

Some How that circuit is being powered any added electrical goodies installed?

 

Nothing else has been added. I was wondering about that same thing with the possibility of having a worn ignition key cylinder , but I'm pretty sure I did not pull the key with it in he accessories position.

 

I can go a few weeks without driving my truck and it'll always start right up when I finally do.

I vote that you have some type of parasitic drain as well.

 

Yeah this driving me crazy !!! I pulled each of the fuses out one at a time and checked voltage between the negative battery post and cable with no change. Reads 12.7 volts with everything turned off, all doors closed.

 

With all the 12v outlets, you don't have something plugged in?

 

My Tacoma sits sometimes up to 3 weeks starts right up.

I did have this issue in my late eighties vehicles till I up graded the negative and Positive cables and terminals never came back.

The alternator is putting out enough to recharge the battery after running it down

What is the battery voltage at that time after sitting ??

 

There is nothing plugged into any of the outlets. I have no aftermarket accessories added on. If I drive my truck once or twice a week I have had no problems. I hate to think of what a Toyota dealer would charge me to figure this out !!! Is there a chance the actual ignition switch is bad that's causing this ? Not the keyed ignition tumbler, but the actual switch.

 

No. Stock

 

Exactly my thoughts too.

 

Disconnect positive battery cable.
Turn off everything on the truck.
Connect one end of Ohm meter to battery positive. You should see 12-plus volts.
Connect the other to the positive cable you disconnected.

On a good electrical system there will be no current drain.

I'd start by disconnecting the alternator plug at the Alternator. If voltage goes up, you found the draw.
If not continue,
As you watch the voltage, open the door. You should see current draw from the dome light.
Pull the dome light fuse and current should go up.

Continue pulling fuses till one makes voltage go up.

 

Thanks cruise and taco. I'm on it and will let you know something one way or another

 

Ok,,,I'll ask what probably is a dumb question. When pulling the fuses, does that mean all fuses ? Like the 30A all the way up to the 120A ALT fuses too. I'm thinking you probably do mean that, and if so how do they come out ? I already pulled all the other ones with no results and also pulled the plug on the alternator with no results. Thanks for bearing with me on this.

 

When you get a chance maybe see if your alternator has failed or could be a bad battery. Doesn't happen often but does happen. If you take the battery in to get charged where you bought it they should be able to do a load test on it while charging. That what we did at carquest when I worked there.

 

Thanks but I did that with my old battery before this one (and it did check out good but I bought a new one anyways) and I did have the alternator checked too as well. If I drive it once or twice a week 40-80 miles it stays charged so I'm sure the charging system is good. There's just something that slowly is draining it. Thanks

 

Remove the battery from the truck and clean the entire case thoroughly with a good cleaner like purple power, simple green or similar. Do not get it into the battery cells itself. Then clean cables. The battery is probably discharging through the case to ground. I have seen it happen and cleaning the case removes the conductive film of acid. road dust and salt ect. Try it. Then fully charge the battery and reinstall. Clean the battery tray and repaint if needed while the battery is out. Make sure the battery is clamped in properly.

 

Thanks Troyken !!! I will do that . I'm willing to try anything at this point. I do appreciate the advice .