1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

23K miles: Factory Battery Failure

Discussion in '2.5 Gen TRD Pro (2014-2021)' started by VA10, Jan 23, 2017.

  1. Jan 23, 2017 at 8:40 AM
    #1
    VA10

    VA10 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2016
    Member:
    #4299
    Messages:
    104
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra Limited TRD Off-Road
    Reminder to check your battery health.

    My trucks battery has died 3 times in the past 4 weeks. One time was due to my negligence by not turning off my aux lightning. Anyways, went to run an errand to pickup a tool yesterday and notthhhhhing not even a crank. just the "tic-tic-tic" noise. I jumped the truck which took 3 attempts to get it to turn over. Even after I got to run it would not start after driving for 20 minutes. Toyota replaced the battery same day they did a battery test which it failed. they replaced the battery under warranty no questions asked.

    Symptoms I noticed the day before the battery totally died.
    1. weaker acceleration (particularly from a stop)
    2. MPGs dropped drastically (average went to 6.8mpgs)
    3. Truck sounded muffled when accelerating at highway speeds (really had to step on the gas)
     
    nk1794, 1UPPER, T-Rex266 and 2 others like this.
  2. Jan 23, 2017 at 2:08 PM
    #2
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,615
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    When running off the alternator all the time, the fuel economy really tanks quick.

    FYI to everyone, Toyota batteries are under warranty for 8 years.
     
  3. Feb 13, 2017 at 3:47 PM
    #3
    Leo1234

    Leo1234 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2017
    Member:
    #6356
    Messages:
    10
    Gender:
    Male
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2017 TRD PRO
    That's is good to know thanks
     
    big_jarv and ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] like this.
  4. Feb 13, 2017 at 4:55 PM
    #4
    040Tundra

    040Tundra Teddy 2013-2019

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2016
    Member:
    #5188
    Messages:
    3,809
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Aaron
    Las Vegas, NV
    Vehicle:
    040 '16 CM LTD 4x4
    A little of this and a little of that.
    Thanks TJ!
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  5. Feb 13, 2017 at 6:25 PM
    #5
    computeruser6

    computeruser6 Gott Mit Uns

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2015
    Member:
    #2216
    Messages:
    1,039
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dirk
    Escondido
    Vehicle:
    2008 Regular Cab Tundra
    King 2.5 coilovers Nitto Exo Grapplers
  6. Feb 13, 2017 at 7:54 PM
    #6
    Bear

    Bear Fargin' Iceholes

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2016
    Member:
    #4301
    Messages:
    640
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bear
    Custer, SD
    Vehicle:
    2022 GMC Sierra 3500 Dually
    Pulsar Edge V3; MBRP side dump exhaust
    Had my truck for 2 months and this happened. Unfortunately it was a Sunday afternoon and the truck was needed for work Monday morning at 2 am. I went and got an odyssey. The dealership wouldn't refund the cost since the OEM battery went in as collateral. Had my OEM battery in my FJ for 8 yrs...never a problem...and that included living in Vegas for 3 years and South Dakota for 3.5 yrs.
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  7. Feb 13, 2017 at 9:54 PM
    #7
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #378
    Messages:
    40,012
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Aurora CO
    Vehicle:
    2022 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    I'd rather have a battery last for 8 years with a 3 year warranty. I swapped out my 07's OEM battery at 7 yrs old. Was still good. Bought the same OEM mfr battery. ......It sucks. Following Vipers lead....North Star.
     
    SlickRick2013Tundra likes this.
  8. Feb 13, 2017 at 11:13 PM
    #8
    caboose

    caboose -1

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2016
    Member:
    #3825
    Messages:
    180
    Gender:
    Male
    somewhere in the USA
    Vehicle:
    tundra dc trd
    ride rites w/ air compressor, trd pro grille, decked bed storage, nfab rkr rails w/steps, remote start.
    Mine didn't even last that long I replaced it at 12K the cold weather this winter ate it up. I wanted to get a north start but would have had to wait a week to get it so I went with a optima yellow top.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  9. Feb 17, 2017 at 10:38 AM
    #9
    jdm ctr '00

    jdm ctr '00 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2015
    Member:
    #2233
    Messages:
    257
    Gender:
    Male
    los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tundra TRD PRO
    Had mine replaced by Toyota at 5000 miles.
     
  10. Feb 20, 2017 at 10:31 AM
    #10
    Stumpjumper

    Stumpjumper New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2016
    Member:
    #4546
    Messages:
    3,288
    Gender:
    Male
    Fate, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra TSS 4x4
    alternators are designed to maintain and not recharge a dead battery. That is what they make battery chargers for. Also, the life of an automotive battery can be severely shortened by just one discharge/charge cycle. The plates in automotive batteries are not designed to do this.
     
  11. Feb 20, 2017 at 10:38 AM
    #11
    040Tundra

    040Tundra Teddy 2013-2019

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2016
    Member:
    #5188
    Messages:
    3,809
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Aaron
    Las Vegas, NV
    Vehicle:
    040 '16 CM LTD 4x4
    A little of this and a little of that.

    Not a bad choice. I like the Yellow Top's! Good batteries.


    Thank you. Didn't realize that this would happen from one discharge cycle.
     
  12. Feb 20, 2017 at 11:51 AM
    #12
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,615
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    I'll just leave this here. An alternator can and will recharge a battery, if no damage has occurred.

    Regulator......

    http://www.autoshop101.com/trainmodules/alternator/alt101.html

    http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/howitworks.shtml
     
  13. Feb 20, 2017 at 12:36 PM
    #13
    Stumpjumper

    Stumpjumper New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2016
    Member:
    #4546
    Messages:
    3,288
    Gender:
    Male
    Fate, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra TSS 4x4
    3 year old Tacoma died within months of a discharge. I do not think it was a coincidence. I took my mom's car battery out frog gigging once and it never fully recovered. Not saying an alternator will not recharge a dead battery it is just not good for them and not what they are designed to do on a regular basis.
     
  14. Feb 20, 2017 at 12:52 PM
    #14
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,615
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    It wasn't a coincidence, like you said. It was due to damaging a cell.

    Yellow tops are a mid range AGM battery that uses recycled lead. Not bad, but way better option now. Optimas where way better 10 years ago before being sold and now being manufactured in Mexico.

    I have a yellow top in my Jeep, not bad and I have killed it dead like 10 times in the past year. I have a current draw someplace. I'll eventually find it.
     
  15. Feb 20, 2017 at 7:47 PM
    #15
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #378
    Messages:
    40,012
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Aurora CO
    Vehicle:
    2022 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    Should have waited. We, (where I work at) had a long term calibration contract with Optima. They were made right here in Aurora, CO for years. (google it) Now made south of "our" border. $20+ an hour labor vs $2 an hour >>>> Not political....simple economics. $20 per hour gets you a decent battery. $2 per hour.......??? Do the math.
     
    blue16 and ColoradoTJ like this.
  16. Feb 20, 2017 at 7:49 PM
    #16
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,615
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    Damn fact Matt.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  17. Feb 20, 2017 at 7:51 PM
    #17
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    Member:
    #378
    Messages:
    40,012
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Aurora CO
    Vehicle:
    2022 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    MABA>>>>>>>>>>>>Make batteries great again.
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  18. Aug 21, 2017 at 9:45 AM
    #18
    MotoTundra

    MotoTundra The Ocho

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2014
    Member:
    #8
    Messages:
    7,645
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Don
    -TRS Mini D2S Retrofit on TRD Pro Headlights (Apollo 2.0 Shrouds, 35w XB Ballasts, 5500k Bulbs) -Baja Designs Squadron R Sport Aux lights. -TRD Pro Grill -TRD Rear Sway Bar -BakFlip VP Tonneau w/BakBox -Dipped wheels & bumpers -Iron Cross HD steps -Undercover Swingcase -SunTek Paint Protection film -Tinted glass -Bedmat -OEM Towing Mirrors
    I am considering replacing my OEM battery as a precaution, but I'm not sure if I'm being wasteful by doing so. What are your thoughts guys?

    My truck is a 2014, garage kept, ~11k miles.

    No issues so far, just don't want to have to scramble to get one when it goes.
     
  19. Aug 21, 2017 at 9:51 AM
    #19
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2014
    Member:
    #6
    Messages:
    155,846
    Gender:
    Male
    I'll trade you mileage. I have 38k on my 2014.
     
    SouthBoundSteve and MotoTundra like this.
  20. Aug 21, 2017 at 10:30 AM
    #20
    MotoTundra

    MotoTundra The Ocho

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2014
    Member:
    #8
    Messages:
    7,645
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Don
    -TRS Mini D2S Retrofit on TRD Pro Headlights (Apollo 2.0 Shrouds, 35w XB Ballasts, 5500k Bulbs) -Baja Designs Squadron R Sport Aux lights. -TRD Pro Grill -TRD Rear Sway Bar -BakFlip VP Tonneau w/BakBox -Dipped wheels & bumpers -Iron Cross HD steps -Undercover Swingcase -SunTek Paint Protection film -Tinted glass -Bedmat -OEM Towing Mirrors
    Toss in the SC and you have a deal!!!
     
    SouthBoundSteve likes this.
  21. Aug 21, 2017 at 10:43 AM
    #21
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2014
    Member:
    #6
    Messages:
    155,846
    Gender:
    Male
    Sure. My buddy sent it to Magunson to be rebuilt on his dime for his truck.

    Barrings and nose cone
     
  22. Aug 21, 2017 at 10:57 AM
    #22
    MotoTundra

    MotoTundra The Ocho

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2014
    Member:
    #8
    Messages:
    7,645
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Don
    -TRS Mini D2S Retrofit on TRD Pro Headlights (Apollo 2.0 Shrouds, 35w XB Ballasts, 5500k Bulbs) -Baja Designs Squadron R Sport Aux lights. -TRD Pro Grill -TRD Rear Sway Bar -BakFlip VP Tonneau w/BakBox -Dipped wheels & bumpers -Iron Cross HD steps -Undercover Swingcase -SunTek Paint Protection film -Tinted glass -Bedmat -OEM Towing Mirrors

    Whoa, I just checked your build thread. I had no idea you were having issues. I don't know how I missed that! That's ashame man, sounds like my luck! What is the current status?
     
  23. Aug 21, 2017 at 11:27 AM
    #23
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2014
    Member:
    #6
    Messages:
    155,846
    Gender:
    Male
    Got into it with Toyota. They approved the warranty work for a nose cone as the tech and FST (who flew into CO to approve the repair) advised "no signs of abuse or neglect noted"

    Two weeks later Toyota said nahhh, just kidding. Hope it gets you in the feels, Sean.

    Long story short, had them remove and replace back to factory.

    What a shame. I only had it in for 10k miles.
     
  24. Aug 21, 2017 at 1:44 PM
    #24
    BOBONTUESDAY

    BOBONTUESDAY Grocery Getter

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2016
    Member:
    #3127
    Messages:
    582
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 Limited Trd
    My trucks battery started giving me troubles at 87k. It wasn't holding amps so I threw in a Duracell one a little bigger. Mine's a 2016 btw. But I wasn't very easy on my battery. I wouldn't replace unless needed. I take mine out to some remote locations in the winter time but I don't foresee myself doing any extra battery mantience.
     
    MotoTundra[QUOTED] likes this.
  25. Aug 21, 2017 at 2:16 PM
    #25
    MotoTundra

    MotoTundra The Ocho

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2014
    Member:
    #8
    Messages:
    7,645
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Don
    -TRS Mini D2S Retrofit on TRD Pro Headlights (Apollo 2.0 Shrouds, 35w XB Ballasts, 5500k Bulbs) -Baja Designs Squadron R Sport Aux lights. -TRD Pro Grill -TRD Rear Sway Bar -BakFlip VP Tonneau w/BakBox -Dipped wheels & bumpers -Iron Cross HD steps -Undercover Swingcase -SunTek Paint Protection film -Tinted glass -Bedmat -OEM Towing Mirrors
    I would probably have shed tears while peeling off the "supercharged" decals... Sorry brother, that's a bummer.
     
  26. Aug 21, 2017 at 4:17 PM
    #26
    MotoTundra

    MotoTundra The Ocho

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2014
    Member:
    #8
    Messages:
    7,645
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Don
    -TRS Mini D2S Retrofit on TRD Pro Headlights (Apollo 2.0 Shrouds, 35w XB Ballasts, 5500k Bulbs) -Baja Designs Squadron R Sport Aux lights. -TRD Pro Grill -TRD Rear Sway Bar -BakFlip VP Tonneau w/BakBox -Dipped wheels & bumpers -Iron Cross HD steps -Undercover Swingcase -SunTek Paint Protection film -Tinted glass -Bedmat -OEM Towing Mirrors
    Good info, thanks. I think I'm going to hold off for a bit longer.
     
    SouthBoundSteve likes this.
  27. Aug 26, 2017 at 6:28 AM
    #27
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2014
    Member:
    #6
    Messages:
    155,846
    Gender:
    Male
    Fuck me sideways. Truck didn't like starting up today...sounded like it had to struggle for power. I don't have the time to go mess with Toyota- guess I'll have to try to Autozone to get one
     
  28. Aug 26, 2017 at 6:33 AM
    #28
    1UPPER

    1UPPER Not A New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2016
    Member:
    #4937
    Messages:
    4,898
    Gender:
    Male
    TEXAS
    Flux capacitor!
    Sean do you have a second vehicle? Maybe you can drop off the battery at Toyota. Let them to do the test and pick up a replacement later.
     
  29. Aug 26, 2017 at 6:40 AM
    #29
    Toddanddaneen

    Toddanddaneen New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2016
    Member:
    #5168
    Messages:
    52
    Gender:
    Male
    Wv
    Vehicle:
    2015 Silver Sky Tundra crewmax
    My battery failed at 18k. Only thing I noticed was the day prior it seemed like it was slightly weak (almost not noticeable just the very slightest hesitation) next day it wouldn't start.
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2017
  30. Aug 26, 2017 at 6:53 AM
    #30
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2014
    Member:
    #6
    Messages:
    155,846
    Gender:
    Male
    Yes sir I sure do. I think I'll just pony up and get aftermarket this time.

    Yep. Sounded hesitant to start each time I tried it...all 3 time it started but sounded weak to start.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top