[stanj]

I have a 2013 Toyota Tacoma. I put in a Sears Diehard Gold back in Oct 2020.

Last week, it got down to 32 here and I drove into work (24 miles). I parked for the day, 9 hrs later, came out and the truck did not turn over on the first try. A second it hesitated, but did turn over and I drove home.

At home, I took out the charger and hooked it up on the battery. The display showed 12.4 at 64%. I charged it overnight. On 11/30, started it up ok and drove to Advanced Auto. I had them check the battery and they said it had no bad cells and they also checked the alternator and starter and they are ok.
The guy said drive it a while and let the alternator charge it.

On, 12/1, unhooked the battery and charged it to 12.8 volts.
On 12/2, truck started with no issues.
Drove around a few places (12-20 mile total)
I let the truck sit Sunday.
Went out Monday. 12/4, and disconnected the terminal and checked the voltage.
It read 12.6..and 79%

Yesterday, 12/6, it started up with no issues and drove to a few places (about 27 miles total)

Today, 12/7, I connected the charger and it it shows 12.7 volts 79%

I am not sure if i need a new battery ..

I see the below on a site about 12 volt batteries

• With the engine off, the fully charged car battery voltage will measure 12.6 volts. This is known as “resting voltage.”.

thanks

 

[Randy Bush]

I have a 2013 Toyota Tacoma. I put in a Sears Diehard Gold back in Oct 2020.

Last week, it got down to 32 here and I drove into work (24 miles). I parked for the day, 9 hrs later, came out and the truck did not turn over on the first try. A second it hesitated, but did turn over and I drove home.

At home, I took out the charger and hooked it up on the battery. The display showed 12.4 at 64%. I charged it overnight. On 11/30, started it up ok and drove to Advanced Auto. I had them check the battery and they said it had no bad cells and they also checked the alternator and starter and they are ok.
The guy said drive it a while and let the alternator charge it.

On, 12/1, unhooked the battery and charged it to 12.8 volts.
On 12/2, truck started with no issues.
Drove around a few places (12-20 mile total)
I let the truck sit Sunday.
Went out Monday. 12/4, and disconnected the terminal and checked the voltage.
It read 12.6..and 79%

Yesterday, 12/6, it started up with no issues and drove to a few places (about 27 miles total)

Today, 12/7, I connected the charger and it it shows 12.7 volts 79%

I am not sure if i need a new battery ..

I see the below on a site about 12 volt batteries

With the engine off, the fully charged car battery voltage will measure 12.6 volts. This is known as “resting voltage.”.

thanks

Know you had things checked , but what was the voltage with everything on and running? Should be around dormers 14.25 volts. It should start even at 12 volts or little less.

 

[stanj]

So, i charged it to 12.8 a bit ago
Are you saying to start the truck and hook the charger up to read the volts now after it has been charged? ?

 

[SeniorSitizen]

I have a 216 Tundra and at 3 years batt had 12.4 V and the fob wouldn't operate the door locks .

Get the battery load tested . Advance should be able to do that .
Volts is one thing but power is another .

 

[jamie222]

Start the vehicle, turn on every accessory possible, all lights, A/C

Check voltage at the battery while it is running,

Sounds to me like a bad alternator

 

[stanj]

Advanced Auto checked the starter and alternator and they check out. Advanced Auto didn't mention a load test but you would figure that would have done that when they checked the battery, alternator, and starter

 

[jamie222]

Advanced Auto checked the starter and alternator and they check out.

How exactly did they do that?

I wouldn't really trust parts jockeys to be doing those things

 

[660catman]

Confirm a proper load test was done. It’s the only way you know the battery is good for cranking. Voltage may read good but it can fail the load test. I had an ATV battery like that. It wouldn’t turn the motor over. I got it replaced under warranty.

 

[stanj]

How exactly did they do that?

I wouldn't really trust parts jockeys to be doing those things

The guy had some meter and hooked it up. I really didn't look at it close when he did the testing.
i don't know if Advanced Auto does a does load testing
There is a Mr. tire next door

 

[Randy Bush]

Need to know what that the alternator is doing under full load. Like said should be around 14 volts. Also start Amp draw when starting. Battery load test too. I learnt years ago with my diesels to never test my starters tested by a parts store . Most can't load test them.

 

[stanj]

Need to know what that the alternator is doing under full load. Like said should be around 14 volts. Also start Amp draw when starting. Battery load test too. I learnt years ago with my diesels to never test my starters tested by a parts store . Most can't load test them.

I started the truck and turned on the radio, head lights, and left the door open.
Connected the meter..
it shows 14.2 volts

 

[SeniorSitizen]

Test witho

I started the truck and turned on the radio, head lights, and left the door open.
Connected the meter..
it shows 14.2 volts

Test without eng. running and monitor voltage for several minutes . Back in the good ole days the horn would be the 1st to quit .

 

[stanj]

I have to go out. I will be using the truck but will try the test tomorrow - turning on radio, lights, radar detector, etc and hook the meter up for 10 minute

 

[HotRodx10]

It sounds like the battery and alternator are fine. If if started normally when it was coldest (the first morning you mentioned), the hesitation later was probably due to something else (starter gear didn't engage quite right that one time; something didn't get turned off while it was sitting at work, etc.)

 

[Missouri Bound]

Only a load test will confirm the condition of your battery.
Take it to your dealer, any battery outlet that has testing.
Do you have an O'reileys near you?

 

[DrivewayDude]

It is now possible to buy a little charger that has a cycle that helps worn-out batteries. Reviewers say the effectiveness is hit-or-miss, but that's a lot better than just miss.

 

[notnew2diy]

due to something else (starter gear

Are battery connections clean, brite and tight?
Batt connection at starter clean, brite and tight?
Check your ground wires.

Aint no fun being stranded in the cold...Don.

 

[stanj]

This afternoon, i hooked up the charger and turned the ignition key on, turned on the radio, headlights, radar detector, old garmin, and left the driver door open so the interior lights were on.
Hooked up the charger it read 11.7 volts. I left it like this for 5 minutes and still read 11.7.
I then started the truck on the first try. The headlights did not go out but did dim slightly as i cranked the engine
When it started, the charger read 14.1 volts with everything on.

I then stopped the engine
Charger read 12.4 then 12.1

Turned on the headlights, etc. charger read 11.7
Turned everything off charger read 12.3

Turned on the charger showed 60%

Attached is a pic of the battery

We don't have any O'rileys around here, only Advanced Auto, AutoZone, Mr. Tire and a local garage about 25 miles away i take my truck to when i need something major done

 

[660catman]

11.7 volts is less than a 30% charge. Your battery is shot

 

[notnew2diy]

Have you checked the water level inside the batt?