Weird problem... need advice

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This thread should help you...It’s likely the battery, starter, alternator...always suspect batteries first as the thread suggests...but...
https://www.tundras.com/threads/engine-suddenly-wont-turn-over.59396/#post-1556065

 

I suspect a bad battery cable, clamp, or terminal. If DIY repair is the goal, go on youtube and search “voltage drop testing”. Test the voltage drops on the ground circuit as well as the positive circuit. Make sure all connections are clean, bright metal and tight.

A shop that specializes in automotive electrical repair would be the best option if you’re not intending on DIY.

 

Alternator is brand new, battery is brand new... had both retested and they show they’re fine. Last time this happened we hooked the battery up to the charger and it showed it had a 90% charge on it. When it does this there is no clicking, nothing completely dead. Baffles me that taking the battery out, waiting a min the reconnecting is the only thing that will get it running again

 

Welcome from WI. I had a similar problem but it was a one time thing. Got to work and shut the truck off, went to start it a couple hours later and nothing. No radio, immobilizer light, gauges, absolutely nothing. I disconnected the battery for 30+ minutes, reconnected it and it hasn't done it since. Make sure your cables are free of corrosion as well as the battery posts and make sure they're tight. Check the condition of the cables from end to end too. Even though it tested fine, my bet is that your battery is failing. One bad cell can do funny things.

 

What are the odds that we replaced the battery because of this and it’s still doing it with the new battery, old battery tested fine too. I’m not saying it’s not the battery but that would be pretty coincidental.

no corrosion that I can see. Nothing seems to be standing out as the problem visually anyway.

Thank you for all the advice everyone. Really don’t need an expensive car repair right now!

 

Hello from Colorado. Quick question. When you’re trying to start it, does everything else work ie lights, stereo, etc? Only it’s not turning over? Might check the connection on the starter.

 

I've had new batteries delivered to my shop that were bad right off the bat. Poor production, got dropped somewhere along the line. If the last time it happened, your battery was at 90% charge, I'd say you have a bad cell. A new battery shouldn't be low like that. Tundras are also very finicky about voltage and a low charge will cause the symptoms you're experiencing.

 

Hopefully you can figure this out.
Welcome from NY.

 

More than likely your starter is on its way out. My 07 did the same thing. It ended up being the starter

 

I had a similar problem with a Toyota Echo.

The armature in starter was going bad, if it would not start I would hit the starter a couple of times with wrench and it start. I had to replace the starter.

As stated above a bad battery is likely the issue.

Good luck, hopefully its a quick and easy fix.

 

Test the battery cable. I had a gmc do this sort of thing and the battery cable was rotting on the inside.

 

No nothing, completely dead.

 

I would have the wires checked, could be the alternator is not keeping the battery charge.

 

I would check for loose/bad ground wire,starter relay/fuse, ignition relay,many things it could be.start with one thing at a time to isolate what is not the problem and then check something else

 

I would first check all the fuses and relays in the main fuse box in the engine bay.,then check ignition relays and switch

 

Throwing this out there...Any chance of an unknown security system installed on the truck?

 

Years ago I had a similar issue with a dodge Dakota. The truck was new. Dealer stated the problem was in the wiring harness. It had many rides on the flat bed.