Battery drain toyota tacoma

Keep reading about battery drain on these forums. My father has a 2021 tacoma no aftermarket ad ons. The battery keeps draining if not driven dailey. If it sits a few days the battery will drain dead. The oem security is always flashing. Could that small led light be the issue. Is there anyway to disconnect security? This parasitic drain is driving us crazy. No local mechanics have any ideas.

 

Bad battery
Dirty battery
Bad alternator
Bad starter
Bad door switch
Interior door switch stuck between off and on
Bad computer not willing to go to sleep.
Need to get it to someone that has a solid procedure.

 

You need to find a tech that can preform a parasitic draw test starting with the A.M.A's. You could disconnect each accessories yourself one at a time to test but that would take some time. Or disconnect all and reconnect each one, one at a time till the draw goes a way. Just an idea or starting point you can do.

 

Our trucks will kill batteries of not driven after several weeks, this is just the nature of modern vehicles. The battery dying after a few days could be a few things. 1. If the battery has been drained fully flat several times already it could just bad now and not good enough to supply the small drain our trucks have after driving and sitting idle. If he parks it in the garage and the key is left near or in the truck, this will cause systems to be active (waiting to start or unlock) and drain the battery quick. If neither of these then possibly time for some deeper diagnostics.

 

For a parasitic draw, you would need to isolate the circuit in the truck that is causing the higher than normal amperage draw. A recent video from the car care nut describes how to diagnose.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2sVFcDmvAxo

 

How old is the battery? Have an actual load test done on it? I would start there, a 4 year old battery is suspect.

Also when driving, make sure once a week it gets a decent 20 minute or so trip. My GF's mother and father's 3 yo CRV was going through this. When the dealer and I both told him to drive it weekly, he finally listened, and it got worse. Why? We didn't think to specify "NO SHORT TRIPS!". When he did start driving it, the battery is drained from the starter motor, defrosters, HVAC on high etc while he was on his short trip to get beer and scratch offs. Frist, I put a Norco battery charger on it, and let it bring the battery back up. Secondly, he now drives at least 20 minutes before shutting it off,, no more problems. The short trips take more out of the battery, than the alternator can recharge.

My 2019 is weak on a 1 yo battery, and after sitting (I don't drive it much, have company truck) I am going to install an outdoor outlet and put a Norco on it to keep from replacing the battery more often.

 

Could have one of those dealer installed tracking devices on it that they didn't tell you about, or deny they installed one.

 

Might be better off with an inexpensive battery tender like "Battery Tender Junior" rather than a Norco (or any) charger .

 

True, the Nocos aren't much more and are highly recommended. I also wanted slightly more amps in a small package for farm use. All that said, the Battery Tender brand seems to be solid too.