Is my battery dead or am I going insane?

Hi all,

Didn’t use my 19 Tacoma (v6 OR, 35k miles) for about a 2 weeks while out of town. Came back to a dead battery. Jumped her and she was fine for a couple days of driving. Didn’t use again for about 5 days. Went to start and battery was dead again.

Brought the battery to autozone and they tested and said battery was completely fine (12.4 reading). They advised I drive on highway to charge(I live in Portland, OR and most of my day to day driving is in my hood for 10 minute drives). Drove at highway speeds for about an hour that day. Tried starting today 4 days later and it is completely dead.

When I push start I get a bunch of clicks. It doesn’t seem like alternator but who knows. I’m tempted to just replace battery, but will be bummed if I spend money to replace battery and it doesn’t fix the issue.

Has anyone experienced these issues and had it be something else other than a battery?

 

2019... probably a 2018 battery. Try a new one, you are gonna need it soon anyway.

 

Sounds like Autozone just metered the battery and didn't load test it. A bad battery can read 12 volts, but as soon as you try to start it the voltage can drop significantly. I am 99% positive you will need a new battery. Also, if you can help it never use your alternator to charge a dead battery as it puts significant wear on it.

 

You have 3 options.

1. Check for a parasitic draw.

2. Remove the battery cable(s) when leaving it for 4-5 days.
Then hook them up and see if it starts or doesn’t.

3. Throw a battery at it and hope for the best.

 

Not really throwing a battery at it it the current battery is 5 years old. But I get what you are saying... "don't just change parts hoping for the best."

 

Yeah. But constantly draining a battery isn’t good for it.
Not on a lead acid. Nor is it good for the alternator.

I’d make sure I don’t have a problem first.
Maybe fix the problem, then buy a battery.

 

BTW, I can somewhat agree on replacing a battery at 5 years.
Especially on newer vehicles with all the electronics.

 

Always a spark when hooking up a new battery, tells me that there is always a drain. I am totally with you on don't fix the unbroken part. However, 5 years a battery is a good guess.

 

5 year old battery, hmmm?

 

Did autozone give you a printout? They checked my charging system once, and provided a printout of battaery voltage and cca. Might have had other info but that’s what I remember. And how do you know the alternator is ok? Did you have it tested?

 

Consider that the two stated options are NOT mutually exclusive...

However, based on the few details provided, I can only address the battery question; It sounds like your battery is kaput.

 

autozone is not credible

it's in the engine bay

 

Clicking sound means your battery is dead. 12.4v and below causes battery sulfation.

I recommend the 24F agm from Walmart and a compatible agm battery strap.

 

You need to have a proper scan tool to load test as mentioned. The zone won’t have that, but a shop should. This will also test the alternator load. At this point you’ve eclipsed the cost of a good battery at Walmart.

Our family has had many vehicles and the most a battery has lasted was us 7 years. I’d expect newer cars drawing more and last even less. 4-5 years is decent.

 

well, we are both entering the brutal winters of portland, OR but 5 yrs on a toyota battery is about right.
i am in same situation and watching battery closely. i carry a jump pack and trickle charge it now and then for a programmed desulfation cycle. i'm really just procrastinating and curious to see how far i can go.
you might also put a VOM on the cigarette lighter and watch your charging voltage. should be around 13.7 to 14.3...and advice about not jumping a dead battery because it beats the hell out of the alternator...is VERY good advice.
bottom line you are going to need a new battery anyway, even if that is not the primary problem. dollars to donuts it is the battery...unless you continue with what you are doing and kill the alternator.
good luck. RIP PDX.

 

It’s the Battery. Way too much thought here . It’s almost 5 years old
You did good . Even if it were something else which I doubt . It needs a battery

 

A multimeter to watch voltage drop during cranking is $5 at harbor freight

you can always try putting it on a CTEK overnight

but modern regular car batteries inside engine bays don’t last above 5yr.

if you get a new one it will have a warranty. If it quickly goes flat that will tell you the truck has an undiagnosed issue. Or not if it doesn’t.

this can be an opportunity to upgrade. For example on the 2nd gen stock battery is small. And dealers recommend the bigger one which is a different PN.

 

its the battery

 

Yo battery is dead.

 

Your battery is not fine. It is sitting at less then 80% charge after driving to Autozone. It should be resting at 12.6v+ after sitting approximately 24 hours of rest after a complete charge. You have 5 years out of it. You did better than a lot of others. Replace it and either disconnect or add a battery maintainer for long times no driving.

I suggest a NOCO maintainer. Excellent product.