Car wont Start

Hoping someone can help! I've been having issues starting 2008 toyota tacoma.

symptoms:

-over past couple days - sometimes truck would or would not start
-when its doesn't start - no lights come on, nor does door switch work
-lights would come on and car would start IF i pushed/rolled in neutral
-battery was tested by AAA - at 40%

Thank you!

 

Battery cables?

 

Bad battery? Go to an auto supply place that can test your battery AND your alternator.

 

AAA came Saturday and tested battery- came in at 40%. Since the weekend, the car has been intermittent -sometimes starting, sometimes not.

Could it be ignition switch?

 

Did you check if the leads are connected to the terminals tight enough?

 

You could be more specific.

What do you mean " came in at 40% "?
40% of what?
If the charge is only at 40% you probably need a new battery or alternator or both.

Explain in detail what the engine does when you try and start the truck.

Does the starter turn the engine and just the engine doesn't fire up?
Do you hear a clicking noise?

.........................

 

AAA isnt a true mechanic

Try boosting the truck if you can, it sounds like a battery.

 

40% was the measurement they gave me - life left of battery
when i put the key and tried to start - there is no noise, no clicking sound, no lights come on. Everything is dead.

Its a weird problem - its been intermittent over the past couple days

 

there is definitely a connection issue somewhere. At 40% you should definitely be getting lights at least.

 

When it won't start, what happens when you turn on the headlights?

 

took it to autozone and the battery failed the test - starter and alternator passed.

 

This ^ go too Autozone and have the battery checked properly.

 

Hope you bought a new battery then!
In hot climates like FL a standard lead/acid battery lasts 2-3 years depending on model - yes 2 year warranty seem to die right after 2 years and 3 the same.
I went to AGM type and after 4 years still cranking along. If fact I changed it with a new AGM and have the old one as backup. I tow a boat and can't die/restart on the ramp as its a busy place plus I hate dead batteries! Got an Advance AGM Battery size 24F - 710CCA $158. (3 year warranty) and you can always find 20-25% off there. AZ has same options.
Hope all is well now for your Tacoma.

 

Get a battery. No tester can tell you it's got 40% life left. It's going to test for voltage and CA / CCA. You probably need a battery. And it's not worth looking at anything else until you've tested that theory.

 

Apparently something AAA marketing people came up with to sell batteries. Easier to tell an unknowing person this than to say their CCA is down from 800 to 600.