Battery Just Die no Warning at all ?

What’s the likelihood of this ?

Im 3 yrs in on this batt. Lots and lots of short trips and periods of inactivity. Some extreme cold and heat thrown in.

Can’t afford the dreaded click this summer as I’ll be driving remote areas. But battery appears fine. Starts right away no trouble. Tests well also.

just change it ?

 

Get a portable jump starter. If you're so remote you won't be able to get a dead battery changed, go ahead and change it now.

 

They typically don't fail without warning (slow cranks, dies after a couple min with the key or lights on, etc) but they can, depends where you live too. If your in a hot climate like me average battery life here is 2-4 years, in colder climates they tend to last longer.
If your worried about it replace it or carry a decent jump pack with you.

 

It happens. As with any man made device, it can and will fail. Bought my tacoma brand new in 2012...battery completely died 1 year later. It was replaced under warranty and that one lasted 4 years...which is a very long time in the Texas heat. So you win some you lose some.
If its on 3 years, I would replace

I too need a reliable battery at all times, so I purchased self jumper, so I suggest you do the same for piece of mind.

$100 NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A UltraSafe Car Battery Jump Starter, 12V Battery Pack, Battery Booster, Jump Box, Portable Charger and Jumper Cables for 6.0L Gasoline and 3.0L Diesel Engines, Gray

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GB40-UltraSafe-Lithium-Starter/dp/B015TKUPIC

 

I've had bad luck with Toyota OEM batteries, on my 2020 (which i bought new), original battery was replaced after 2years/15k miles because it was failing a load test, 2nd OEM battery only last 1 year and 8k miles when it failed unexpectedly, no prior warning such as slow to start, etc. I've since replace it with an AGM from Napa. If you're worried, replace the OEM battery, or if you want to chance it, carry a jump pack but depending on where you are on your road trip, a replacement battery might not be readily available. Like you, i take lots of short trips and often go where it's snowing, when my battery failed, i was in about 20 degree (F) temps, and the only parts store was Napa and the battery wasn't available until the next day.

 

Is it the battery, or is it the cables, clamps, ground to body, etc...??

 

Mine seems to be the battery, on both OEM units, I did cause them both to drain completely so maybe that caused damage? In any case, a new battery was the cheapest option this time and it's been fine for the past few months. I had the suto parts store test the alternator as well, and they didn't find any issues with the charging voltage, and no issues with cables, clamps,etc from what i could see. If this AGM fails, I'll take it in for further inspections at the dealer or shop.
Not sure if its a factor, but I drive my truck about every other week, and most trips are about 5 miles round trip.

 

If you drained a splashy wet cell lead acid battery more than %50, then it is probably damaged.

Starting batteries don't like being discharged. Makes them ded, ded.

 

Yea. I have a Li-Ion jumper but a new batt is fairly cheap insurance.

my mechanic is telling me batt is fine but as I understand it there is no real reliable test.

also worried about the starter motor but maybe just being a nervous Nellie.

 

get a GB70. do not waste your time with GB40. I actually have a second GB70 for sale from my work. This is not a sales pitch, it will sell and I don’t care who buys it.
I keep my second one for a reason. It is tried and true, tested and proven in the professional world. Anyone who is a mechanic has a GB70 for a reason.

Run a good quality strong battery.

and if it gets the use you’re describing every now and again it’s a good idea to pick up a cheap but good CTEK charger and hook it up.

So far I’ve only used my GB70 for other people. In the morning on the way to work I pulled over for a Tacoma. A Ram pulled over too. He tried jumper cables. They didn’t work. Stuck in the 1980’s.
Tacoma guy had been sitting there for hours.

another time I used it, car died shortly after. Probably bad alternator. Dumbfuck poured hot water all over his battery and car was riced the fuck out. Lesson learned is I should’ve judged the car and kept driving right past it, and let them start the necessary journey of beginning automotive learning.
Camry with fake hood scoop glued on, spoiler, canards, antenna, lights, all kinds of dumb shit

especially if you know you’re going to be in remote areas and are in the tacomaworld mindset of having understanding of your vehicle and being self-reliant, you should absolutely have a jumper. It can also charge your phone and has a light.

even more important if you drive an automatic. I can push start my heavy manual but that’s usually only if I’m lucky enough to get rolling down hill; automatic can’t do that

I’ve dealt with many vehicles that have the battery located under a seat or in the trunk nice and cozy protected from changing extreme temperatures; the Tacoma has no such luxury being the battery is in the engine bay

 

If the battery has been tested including load testing and checks out fine , I doubt the problem is your battery.
What exactly do you mean the battery “just die”? Did it eventually start the engine? Was the charge low, did you have to charge it?
I think likely it is a loose or corroded connection. You need to check the connections that they are tight and clean not corroded. Check the starter connections also to be sure they are clean and tight. The majority of the time that I have electrical problems it turns out to be a ground problem. Check your grounds closely. Be sure to check the battery terminal connections that they are tight also.
If your “mechanic “ is telling you that the battery is fine then what does he think the problem is?

 

I'd go ahead and swap it for a new one. Everstart 24F AGM's at Wally World are about $170 and come with a 4 year free replacement warranty. That's what I'm using along with a offgridengineering battery strap. Otherwise, the last 84 month Toyota truestart battery I had lasted several years until it started to leak acid. Also, the

$100 noco gb40 1000A ultrasafe car battery jump starter, 12V battery pack, battery booster, jump box, portable charger and jumper cables for 6.0L gasoline and 3.0L diesel engines, gray

noco gb40 is plenty of oomph to jump a Tacoma battery.

 

I don’t know how well his mechanic tested it. Multimeter will tell you running voltage, rest voltage, voltage cranking under load. I’ve used high end testers and they take a long time to test the battery; I don’t know if OP’s mechanic has a high quality tester to find that out.

Given batteries have dropped in quality and can last 5 years even under the seat or trunk, it’s not surprising to hear of a battery lasting 1, 2, or 3 years depending on quality, if in engine bay, extreme temperature change, repeated cold starts, short trips

 

Gb70. Strong, takes little space, not heavy, easy to use, works every time.

I had a micro something lithium. It swelled up so I left it somewhere so someone could steal it.

Another option is a battery less jumper. It doesn't keep a charge but once charged, 20-30 seconds, it cranks strong.

Rezervo Batteryless Jump Starter - Jumpstarts Vehicles Using Ultracapacitor Technology for Cars, Trucks, Boats, RVs, ATVs, and other Gas Engines (RZ-300mini (300A))

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GK4PKKD?ie=UTF8