Looking at a 2018. Have a concern

Hello everyone in the 2nd gen forum. I’ve been on here for a bit in the first gen section. Had a 2005 double cab for 5 years but decided it was time for something newer and a little bigger (have a travel trailer and in the mountains it was just a little to much for the 05)

I’ve looked at several and even almost bought a 2018 1794 but found it had the cam tower leak. (I want to stick to 2018 or older to retain the trans cooler)

I found this 2018 sr5 with 67,000 miles and really like it. It is very clean. Feels brand new inside and out. Previous owner put in katskin leather seats. Feels really well taken care of. No scratches at all inside and very little wear outside.

when I went to start it the battery was dead. Would barely turn over the engine. Sales person brought out a jumper and started it no problem. I looked inside and it showed 14 volts and no battery light…..ok just had something left on. Went on test drive and it drove great. Felt peppy and tight and new. But I realized the tun signals didn’t work. It would make a fast clicking noise but nothing on the dash. Got back and walked around and no turn signals. Turned it off and it would not start again. Dead battery. Sales person said we will put a new battery in and fix the turn signals. Battery was dated 6/24 from Toyota…..not that old.
As I left the tech was working on it and had a big laptop plugged into the truck.
We signed paperwork but haven’t given any money till it’s fixed. He called back and said the blinker relay had gone out and they were getting a new one from Toyota. Only $20 and should be fixed in a day. I crawled all around and under it. No cam tower leak, dry as can be, and looks very clean underneath. Didn’t see any flood type stuff. The truck is from Alabama.

sorry for the long ramble but just trying to get all the info out. Anybody have anything like this? A bad battery frying a blinker relay? Or should I be worried about electrical gremlins?

 

I believe that the turn signals and hazard flashers both use the same relay to function. Your post didn't say if the hazard flashers were working, but my guess is they were probably non-functional as well. If that relay was stuck in the closed position it probably would drain the battery, although I would think that the hazards would have been flashing after the jump start to indicate it was closed. It is possible that the relay was defective in some way and causing the dead battery.

It sounds like a nice truck, so I would give them a chance to fix the problem and then test drive it thoroughly. Perhaps they will let you borrow it for a couple of days to really verify the problems are gone?

That being said I wouldn't rule out 2019-21 models because of the lack of a transmission cooler. If you have some mechanical skills a cooler can be added fairly easily using either the GCS kit or by sourcing the parts yourself. Otherwise, any competent mechanic can install the GCS kit in a few hours.

 

Take it on another test drive after the fix. Test all of the signals, windows, hvac etc. take some passengers to sit in the back and everyone roll down their windows at the same time with the hazards and HVAC maxed. Radio on. Etc. try and work the dog out of the battery/electrical system

Then take another one a week later. Seems like you’re patient and not impulsive. With paperwork signed, I’d imagine they’d have to at least call you if someone else came waving some cash around the truck.

But if everything is operational after the 2 test drives you should be set.

 

Sitting more than a few weeks without being started can put a drain on the battery. If a discharged battery is allowed to remain in that drained state it's never going to fully recover. Could that be what has happened with the truck? Can a Carfax report be run to see what the maintenance history shows?

 

I'm thinking it just sat too long and the battery died. Not sure about the relay, though; haven't heard of too many issues with those.

 

Probably a just a faulty relay... You really shoudn't have 'electrical issues' w/a stock vehicle unless you're maybe thinking flood damage, etc...

Have another dealer (someone other than the one selling it) pull the VIN and check for history; check CARFAX, and even check w/your insurance provider to see if anyone finds any documents or history that would lean toward the vehicle sustaining flood damage (which SHOULD be documented).

If you don't find anything in paperwork history, another check you can do is crawl under the dash (both sides) and look for signs of rusts in places it shouldnt be; look for fasteners to have been removed (broken clips, pry marks, etc.) on all your kick panels, etc; look for signs of wiring bundles, harnesses that have been replaced, etc; then same under the hood, checking all your wiring looms, connections, etc; look for signs of replacement or tinkering....

If both examinations don't turn up any concerns, I'd say you've done your due diligence and move forward if your test drive and other indicators leave you feeling confident.

 

Batteries short out. I’ve replaced a couple of batteries recently inside a year because they shorted internally. Relays go out. If those are the only things, I’d let them fix it, test it, and then buy it.

 

Thanks for all the replies!
I didn’t think about the stuck relay maybe causing the dead battery, I was thinking the dead battery shorting the relay. But the other way makes sense to. Forgot to add that the CARFAX was clean. 2 owners no accidents, no floods and a pretty good service record. Was a certified used truck at one point. Also I should clarify I’m not against a 2019 up I just knew I had to factor in adding the trans cooler to the price. (I actually looked at a similar 2020 but it was beat up and paint was bubbling on the bottom of the doors)

they should hopefully have it fixed today and I am going to crawl all over it and test every button. If it all checks out I will buy it. I just wanted to throw the info on here in case there was a “oh no! You have the dreaded dead battery no turn signal problem!”

I feel like I’m getting a pretty good deal. They were asking 34,999 and I talked them down to 33,899. (I live in Auburn Ca)
For a clean SR5 with Trd package that seems to be a good price in my area. Thanks for the help!

 

Nice truck. Cement is my favorite color.

 

That’s no biggie…what do they want for it?

It’ll be a great truck

 

These trucks are notorious for corrosion on the battery clamps.
You may have found that on your 2005, I did.
The thinnest film of corrosion can cause issues.

As to the turn signal 'relay', it has an electronic flasher module.
There is no single $10 relay.
The part is around $75.
2007-2018 Toyota Flasher; Flasher Assembly 81980-0C010 | Sparks Parts

As @Blast Chamber stated if the hazards work, the turn signals should work as well.



Other than that it sounds like a nice truck.
I love my 2014 although I do miss my 2005 sometimes..

Good luck..