Tacoma Battery Issue

Some background this is the first rain spell here in California and I had recently bought my Tacoma used.

My windshield has been leaking when it started raining and it’s some what concerning. The major concern is it is dripping down the side where a fuse box on the left of the driver side is getting wet.

Next thing that happens is my battery has died. It is an Optima red top. I was able to jump it and get the battery going. The battery is only 2 years old.

I’m just wondering if these 2 issues are related? Could the water in the fuse box under the dash short the battery even if it isn’t on? Asking for any advice.

 

I doubt the 2 are related .

 

Do you have debries inside the sunroof compartment?

Some batteries are garbage. I go with Walmart MaxxStart and all the batteries I've used easily hit 5 years.

 

Water and electrical don’t mix. Longer you wait to remedy this the more of a headache you’ll have. Get the battery and charging system checked just to verify what’s going on. Fix the water leak

 

Your fuse box has a cover, a little rain on it isn't doing much. Remember, people spray down their whole engine bays to deep clean them from time to time.

 

He’s talking the interior fuse block....

 

Oh...hahaha! In that case...I don't know

 

Did you buy a salvaged truck or something? Windshields aren’t known to leak. Take to a glass shop and get that leak fixed ASAP.

 

The glass is held in with adhesives unless some one screwed up there is no reason it should leak. It actually is a fairly simple project with the proper tools. My 2011 has had 3 windshields the original and two replacements never leaked a drop. Because of the way it's made all glued in windshields suffer the same problem, at the base of the windshield there is zero give glass is flexible except at the base right at the wipers a stone will crack the glass if it is hit at the base. Get it fixed there is no effort to water proof any thing under the dash.

 

My 2014 is now working on battery number 3 - has 62K miles. I believe there is something in the Toyota electronics/engine management/alternator system that causes this - many owners have reported the exact same thing. The Toyota supplied OEM battery and warranty battery just didn't do the trick - so now trying a garden variety Interstate, a 27F. It is very hot here for much of the year and that is a known cause of battery consumption - so I keep an eye on the fluid levels in the cells. That hasn't done much good, both of the Toyota spec'd batteries died at average 24 -30 months.

 

Optima batteries aren't made like they used to be since they moved production to Mexico.

 

Permatex makes a windshield silicone sealant that I used on my wife’s car when the windshield leaked. It worked great.

 

Could be related, but Optima batteries are junk. Find a US made AGM type bettery.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=10039144&cc=3443373&jsn=378&jsn=378

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=10521364&cc=3443373&jsn=379

 

or just get an Interstate AGM battery for like $90, if it fails you can get a new one from Costco. Mine has been great

 

Never heard of a $90. AGM 24f. Please enlighten me with a link.

 

Are you sure it's the windshield leaking and not someplace in the cowl?

Optima used to be the cats meow. No more.

Unless you need an AGM for some reason (most don't) an Interstate from Costco for under $100 should do just fine.

 

More false info from this forum(what a suprise).

Costco Interstate AGM battery is $160. not $90. But that's what I'd get if I could find one.

https://costco.interstatebatteries....57&choice4=1660960&choice5=1660961&Country=US

 

bought mine for $96 at Costco


no link, in-store

 

Still no help. as you cant get one for $96. today.

 

There are only like 3 flooded acid battery manufactures in the entire country but there are a hell of a lot of brand names!