Tundra Battery TSB

Quick question: Does anyone know where you can look up Toyota TSBs?

Here’s the reason why I’m asking:

I had previously documented my issues with the battery on my 2020 TRD Pro here: https://www.tundras.com/threads/factory-battery-expectations.72398/#post-1859311

Basically, after running on accessory for a couple hours, or even if the truck sat in my driveway for a day, the battery would struggle to turn over. I went to the dealership, and my battery failed the initial testing, but after charging it up, and running a more thorough test - it passed. I guess in order for it to qualify for replacement, it has to fail both tests.

After a couple months of going back and forth with the dealership service department, and Toyota they’ve come to the conclusion that my battery has an issue, but will never qualify for a replacement under their current policy since part of their testing process is to charge up the battery - which will mask the fact that my battery is losing charge when it just sits.

Toyota told me they would make sure I get taken care of, so I expected for them to contact the dealership and approve a new battery.

Imagine my surprise when the dealership called me today to say they just received a new TSB for my truck, and they want me to come down for a software update that will apparently fix my battery issue.

I’m trying to see where I can look up this TSB, because I have a real hard time believing a software update on will fix my battery issue.

 

I’m assuming that’s their excuse of not looking like the idiots in the first place..too late for that

 

I’ve had my fuel pump replaced in august due to recall and I recently still got a letter to get it done and also the dealership even called me a month after to schedule for the recall replacement. Told them I got it done month ago..but I do feel the difference before and after fuel pump replacement, much more smoother than before. Basically the dealerships are a mess that’s what I was getting to

 

Keep us posted what dealer does.

 

I already know what they’re going to do, they told me they’re going to upload a software update to address the issues with my battery.

 

It will probably change the alternator charging to a higher voltage rate cycle. Probably it is 13.1v to create less engine drag from the alternator for better MPG. I seem to remember people with AGM batteries doing this because 13.1v is just not quite enough, it needs to be 14.1 .

 

I found a copy of the TSB they’re referring to - it’s TSB 0095-20, which applies to Camry's and Rav-4s. Seems like they’re really stretching on this one.

 

Alright, so here’s the ultimate disposition. The dealership looked up the TSB and told me it didn’t apply to my truck, but that they would check for updates.

There were no updates.

They told me they know there’s a problem because it consistently fails the basic test, but their hands are tied because Toyota requires it to fail a more thorough test after it’s been recharged - but they said they “Think they may see a little bit of fluid pooling on the top of the battery.”, and so they may be able to convince Toyota to replace the battery due to it leaking battery acid.

Ultimately, they met Toyota’s bullshit, with their own bullshit - and I now have a TrueStart battery.

 

factory batteries are MEH. the truestarts are also made by the same company - interstate.

 

Go to toyotaowners.com that’s where I go to check on TSB and recalls for my truck. It’s a great resource...

 

That sucks but if it were me I would have and almost always will skip the dealer if I can fix it myself and fast for not an absorbent amount of money. Too much stress and time is lost dealing with dealers to fix these types of issues.

Maybe try another dealer if you have another close by.

Edit. Just saw you have a new battery, should last longer than the original!

 

So you sit with your battery under load for a few hours and wonder why it won’t start the truck? This is literally every vehicle ever what am I missing here?

 

According to the documents I received, the TrueStart is made by Johnson Controls

 

Considering the first one started having issues after six months, I hope so!

 

johnson controls makes the batteries for interstate in mexico. i know for a fact ours at the dealer are delivered by interstates own truck

 

Yup, you’re missing quite a bit. It would be unfair of me to expect you to read the whole thread before making a sarcastic comment - so I’ll catch you up. My truck was the only one at the drive in, out of about 250 other vehicles that had their battery die. All of us had our vehicles on accessory, and I’ve been to the drive in dozens of other times in other vehicles and never had this happen. So clearly this isn’t “literally every vehicle ever”, it was literally the only vehicle out of ~250 to have this happen that night.

Now as I went into later in the previous thread, while the drive in issue was the initial issue, after that I started having a problem where if the truck sat for more than 24 hours, it would have to crank pretty hard to start, and occasionally would require a jump.

Not sure if that has happened to “literally every vehicle ever”, well actually I am sure - because that’s never happened to me in the past.

Now that I’ve filled you in, please let me know if you feel you’re missing anything else.

 

i once did a full 4 hours at our drive in with my sears diehard platinum.. the tacoma had no issues starting after that.. this truestart in my tundra so far is fine.. it actually started the truck when i figured out the cargo light was on all night one night...

 

Popping in on this thread because I believe I'm having a similar issue with the battery on my 2018 CM Limited. I got it at the end of February 2018, so it's almost 3 years old. I have installed a stereo system (no big deal, just a new radio and amp. Used to install these for Tweeter so I know my stuff) and a remote starter. Never had an issue before, but during COVID times I'm driving way less. I actually had it sitting for about a week without any lights on, doors open or anything, and the battery was dead. I had dim interior lights, but it didn't even try to crank. Had to jump it.

That was on last Sunday afternoon. I went to take it to get lunch yesterday and it was dead. Jumped it again, drove it for about 20-25 minutes. Tried to take it out again around 8pm last night and it was dead again.

I did notice a little bit of corrosion on the positive terminal. I'll clean that off, and I grabbed a battery tender that I can set up. Wondering if there was just a bad run of batteries that is only noticeable when the truck sits for a while.

 

If you decide to take it to the dealership, mention that you saw what looked like battery acid pooling on top of the battery when you cleaned it. Might give them the excuse they need to replace it under warranty if you’re still under warranty. The dealerships want to do warranty work, it’s easy because the customers are happy to get free work, and it’s guaranteed pay by Toyota - they just need the right excuse.

 

Hmm, interesting. I am still under warranty until early March, so I might do that. I usually do my own work - will be doing my first oil change this weekend as I used up the 5 free changes.