Having an issue at startup

I have a 2020 Tacoma TRD Pro with 32k miles and when I start it up, half the time it sounds like it's not gonna start when I press the button. It's like a very quick weakened crank for a split second, not a typical slow crank like the battery is going dead. I had Autozone put a tester on it and it said the battery is good, the alternator/charging system is good but it showed "Bad starting system - Min Cranking Volts: FAIL, Cranking Current: FAIL." I took it to the dealer right before closing today to see if I could get an appointment next week and they tested it and said the battery is good, but surprise! they tried to sell me a new one anyway. Battery is an Interstate from Costco and 1 1/2 years old. It has a 3 year warranty so I'd have them give me a new one, but I'm guessing they won't when they find out the battery tests good. Any ideas? Any similar experience? I've been driving Tacomas since 2005 and this will be the first time I have a repair!

 

Try removing and cleaning your battery terminals and tightening them back down. The battery and charging system can both function fine but if the cables are loose or have corrosion they may have trouble with being able to supply the current and voltage demand under a starting load.

 

Did they just check voltage or load test?

 

I think just voltage, but I'm not sure. The dealer didn't tell me. I will disconnect and clean the terminals, then put them as suggested.

 

Disconnect the negative terminal first and reconnect it last. Doing it this way helps prevent any sparks.
These trucks have super sensitive electrical systems.

 

Just try to put a jump pack on it and see if it cranks normal.
Battery should definitely be loaded tested.

 

Take it to batteries plus they will load test it I had an oem battery showing good on voltage but was struggling to start . Had them load test it and it was bad .

 

Based on the results from the Autozone tests you posted, I'd be taking a closer look at the starter, rather than the battery.

 

It needs

to be load tested.

 

I dipped out to Korea for nine months. Disconnected my battery and tapped up all the terminals. Once I got back I had the same issue. Turns out I just needed to give to terminals/ battery a good cleaning and boom, fixed. Hope it's as easy as mine was.

 

Get yourself an inexpensive battery tester that does a load and charging system test and do it yourself. I've learned not to trust the yeehaws at the dealer. I have this one and it's served me well:

$27 TOPDON AB101 Car Battery Tester 12V Car Battery Load Tester on Cranking Charging Systems, 100-2000 CCA Automotive Alternator Analyzer for Cars/SUVs/Light Trucks with Flooded AGM Gel Types

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DDDDSK9?ie=UTF8

 

i don't really trust most battery testers at the stores. what benefit do they have to tell you your gear is good? to not sell a product?

how long are is the truck sitting between uses? are you driving at least 30 miles when you run it, or just short trips?

 

You’re on the 2nd battery on a 2020 already? Do you have anything plugged in that could be draining the battery?

 

No. In Phoenix batteries don't last but a couple years. Especially when it sits so much in a garage that's super hot all summer long. I changed it before a big road trip before it needed it.

 

so at a 1.5 old,,,, we can place our bets.
What's the harm in replacing? You have probably spent that in your time already. If it doesn't fix it, it was still end of life.

 

Mines the original 2020 battery sits in a hot garage I drive it about once a week. Still going strong I just keep a jump box in it emergency’s.

 

Costco doesn't check them. Take it out in the parking lot (make sure the replacement is in stock) and take it to the counter. They'll give you a new one no questions asked. Put it in and drive home.

 

if batt tests ok my guess would be the starter might be going bad...
is the batt an AGM?

 

I said this assuming that Autozone load tested the battery. As others have said, a load test is the only accurate way to tell the condition of the battery. Just checking the voltage across the terminals doesn't tell you much. It's when it is under load that the voltage will drop. If the battery load tests okay, and all connections are clean/tight, THEN I would look to the starter. And yes batteries here in Phoenix don;t last much more than 3 years.

 

This is going to be the most TacomaWorld post ever, but lol, I ripped out my grill lights and then I couldn't get it to sound like that again at startup. I installed those 2 years ago and everything has worked perfectly ever since. I'm wondering if the Add-a-circuit was failing or if there was a wire loose. I did take the cables off and cleaned the terminals good and put new anti-corrosion washers on and fired it back up. I stopped by AutoZone and had them test it again, this time it shows everything is perfect. I did order my own tester off Amazon for the future, it comes tomorrow.