Check charging system ???

Had this come up on my 2018 with 29,200 miles 3 weeks ago after battery died while sitting in parking lot. Hit start button and just the usual clicking of a low battery. Took battery to O'Rieleys and had 12 point something volts but hardly any amps. Changed battery out and no problems yet. Will have to send the receipt to Toyota to get reimbursed.

 

Thank you. Must be pretty lousy batteries to go so soon. I think the battery in my 2010 tacoma went well past 100K.

 

Yes that would fall under the 3/36 warranty

 

That is a sublimely stupid design. Context is everything and the car should have a time, state of charge, and ignition status qualifier on displaying that message. I can’t imagine how much unnecessary panic and dealer calls that results in.

I just ran into this, installed a light bar last weekend. I’m an EE I know I did everything perfectly but it sowed just the tiniest moment of self-doubt

 

It is not new or unique to Tacoma. Most vehicles will show a battery light or message about the charging system when in accessory mode for this exact reason. Even my 1998 Mustang did this. Why you generally don't notice it in older vehicles is that it tends to come on when you have the key in the "on" position without the vehicle running and not the "accessory" position. One runs more devices than the other.

 

Yeah some handle it better than others. My other car is an Audi RS3 and when you get in and use stuff it will bitch at you saying you're putting a load on the battery and that it's gonna shut down eventually to protect the battery. But at no time does it say something FUD inducing like, "Z'OMG check the charging system" cause it uses the context of, "engine off" with "significant load" != your shit is f'd. Hell my 2003 Suburban was smarter than that, if the engine was on and the battery wasn't charging it'd tell you, "charging system malfunction" ask me how I know LOL. That said easiest alternator change ever, probably took me 20 mins including dragging out and putting back tools...I kinda miss that truck.