Battery issue? and multiple warning errors on dash - ??

So, Ive come to the conclusion that the multiple warning lights on the dash are from a low battery. 2017 tacoma. ABS light, gauge needles start swinging, etc. Ran the Tech software and it shows "low voltage" to sensors... anyways, I dont drive the truck all that often, maybe a couple times a month. I have a battery tender on it but Im wondering if that doesnt make a difference? I was out in the middle of nowhere and noticed if the truck sat for a while while I hiked and started it, it would show all the issues noticed above. Turn it off after running a little bit, restart and they go away... no codes are triggered. Just odd behavior which I suspect is the bat. I might take in the bat and get a new one, only a couple years old. Anyways, how do you keep a battery good, on a truck that you dont start that often to avoid this... thx

 

You have said that you are already using a battery tender. In my opinion there isnt much else you can do. Id double check that the tender is working as it should and go from there.

 

Thanks. Might just take the batt in and get a new one... it was a walmart special... lol Anyways, anyone else dealt with low battery issues on this truck? Weird. I have an alarm on the vehicle, which is more than likely a parasitic draw. Though low. I also have a disconnect switch between the batt and the truck. Doe sthis truck need power all the time, should I use the disconnect switch and batt tender? I dont mind if I lose the time or radio stations... etc. Thx

 

One thing I noticed about the Tacoma is the charging voltage is a bit on the low side (~13.8-13.9V or so), which doesn't bring the battery back up to a full charge as quickly as 14.3-14.4V would, but this shouldn't really matter much if you're keeping a battery tender on it. Agreed, make sure the tender is working, get a new battery, and go from there. Also make sure the tender is connected directly to the battery (not on the other side of your battery disconnect).
My 2018 TRD doesn't lose station presets when the battery disconnected. The time will be lost briefly until the Nav reacquires a GPS signal, so you shouldn't have any issues there if yours is similar. Just be aware if you have emissions testing in your area, you may have to drive it for awhile after reconnecting the battery so your truck's systems can fully reinitialize so you can test.

 

Thx. Im wondering if the batt is crap. I pulled the tender off and the voltage is 12.5. Will check again later to see if it drops...

I know when I ran the ToyTech software a while back the ABS warning was triggered by low voltage at 11.6 volts...

 

Do the warning lights go away when you jump start the truck?

 

Ive never had to jump start the truck, but if I let the truck run for a while and increase the idle speed for about 5 minutes. Shut it off and restart no warnings. Its only when its been sitting for a while with no tender on it, and I suspect even with the the tender the batt may not be fully charging at 12.5v...

 

I'd go get the thing load tested at a local auto parts store. If it's marginal or fails, consider buying a new battery. I buy new every 5 years regardless as it's such a critical component.

 

A battery can still degrade, with or without a tender. I find it best to keep a voltage meter plugged in a power port. At a glance I can check on sitting voltage as well as while driving to check on the alternator condition. Below is the one I put in wife’s Lexus.

$14 INIU USB C Car Charger, 66W Total [USB C+USB A] Car Charger Adapter with PD & QC, Fast Charging All Metal Tiny Car Phone Charger for iPhone 15 14 13 12 11 Pro Samsung S21 Pixel iPad Macbook Air Tablet

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0946VSWKH

 

what kind of battery?
agm?
age?
have any electrical mods?

 

The water sealed kind. Walmart battery. Alarm, amp, light bar. Light bar connects to relay controlled on brights. Amp doesn't turn on unless vehicle is on. Alarm is only thing running.

 

a recent mod?
age of battery?

 

No recent mods. Batt probably 2 years. I've noticed this when I started parking it. I should probably use it more often. Maybe 3 times a month, at couple miles each time.

 

A 2 year old battery should not be crapping out, but sometimes they do.

 

Not sure where you are located but out here in the desert Southwest we rarely get much more than 2 years out of a battery that's mounted under the hood. And the symptoms of a battery with a bad cell or internal short are what you are describing. It starts because there is enough juice in the remaining cells and the alternator keeps the spark to the engine but the battery never takes a full charge. So when you park it, it's depleted and he longer it sits, anything from that recent drive starts discharging through the short / bad cell.

I've learned not to play around with these issues. It's always the battery. Nothing to fix really and not worth the time trouble shooting. Go get the battery you want while you can still drive it. When it dies and leaves you stranded, you'll take the first battery they come along with to rescue you.

 

2011 Factory battery at 2 years, NAPA battery replacement still going strong 27F. Below zero not unusual in Maine and it may sit 3 or 4 days. Your voltages are fine Normal sitting lead acid battery voltage is 12.6, will within normal range. Have some one load test it for kicks.

 

That's a pretty good stretch, I would not disconnect the battery and just use a little charger all of the electronics need voltage so they don't have to reset each time.

 

How old is the battery?

Really? You are only driving 6 miles a month? This could be part of the problem. Try adding 10-20 miles to at least one of those trips. Either way, batteries can be a crapshoot, sometimes they go early and some go way longer than others.

GL

 

I'm in the same situation (low driving) and have a battery tender I plug in every 3 days. I do not disconnect power as that can be troublesome at inspection time. I do have a remote start and a mice alert wired and if left w/o plugging in it will be a no start in 2 weeks.

Have the battery tested, grab new if needed and keep tender on it (plugged in of course)

 

Twin batteries on my camper 90% of the time they are on a smart charger. They are at least 10 years old.