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Parasitic Loss?

Discussion in 'Electrical' started by Tundra Texan, May 17, 2025 at 8:33 AM.

  1. May 17, 2025 at 8:33 AM
    #1
    Tundra Texan

    Tundra Texan [OP] New Member

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    None at this point.
    My Truck sat for about a month.
    Went out to start it aaaaand....it's dead.
    This has been an ongoing problem.
    If I dont drive it on a semi regular basis it does this.
    Had the dealer look at it about a year ago and they couldnt find anything.
    I haven't added anything as far as electric components go.
    Of course the dealer said it's my fault for not driving it enough.
    Of course I looked at him like he's an idiot.
    Does the Goof think this is my first Truck?
    None of my previous Toyotas have had this problem.
    Any thoughts?
     
    ATV25 likes this.
  2. May 17, 2025 at 8:37 AM
    #2
    shawn474

    shawn474 Lego connoisseur

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    I would suggest connecting a trickle charger; batteries can get weak / go dead even without a draw after sitting that long.
     
    1lowlife and Tunrod like this.
  3. May 17, 2025 at 8:49 AM
    #3
    Tundra Texan

    Tundra Texan [OP] New Member

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    None at this point.
    That was never the case with any of my other Toyotas.
    And the battery thats in it now was pretty new.
    It's on the charger now.
    Kind of a pain in the ass since I never really know when I'm going to let it sit for an extended period.
    Guess I'm going to have to put it on the trickle charger when I park it.
    Figure I'll do what I did to the Bass Boat.
    Install a maintainer and leave the cord in an easy spot to get to like just through the grill in this case and plug it in when I get home if I even think it's going to sit.
     
  4. May 17, 2025 at 8:56 AM
    #4
    Tundra Texan

    Tundra Texan [OP] New Member

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    None at this point.
    Hmmm....
    The Wife just informed me there's a trickle charger sitting on the shelf in the laundry room.
    LOL...I guess I was going to install it and never got around to it.
    DOH!!!
    On the plus side at least I dont need to go buy one.
     
    ATV25 and Corndog123 like this.
  5. May 17, 2025 at 9:43 AM
    #5
    Corndog123

    Corndog123 New Member

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    I wish I could help you buddy.
     
    Tundra Texan[OP] likes this.
  6. May 17, 2025 at 9:49 AM
    #6
    Tundra Texan

    Tundra Texan [OP] New Member

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    None at this point.
    Hell,I wish I could help me!!!
    I cant think of a single thing that would be draining the battery.
    At least the Wife did me a solid by finding that charger!
    Guess I know what I'll be doing tomorrow.
    At least Football Season hasn't started yet so I'll have plenty of time on my hands.
     
    Tunrod and Corndog123[QUOTED] like this.
  7. May 17, 2025 at 11:10 AM
    #7
    Corndog123

    Corndog123 New Member

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    Lol
     
  8. May 17, 2025 at 12:41 PM
    #8
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    There's always a little draw on the battery in a modern vehicle. Even if you have no parasitic draw issues. That said, it's quite easy to check for excessive draw. Or like said above, a trickle charger is great for this and overall battery health. Check the level on battery cells once in a while as well.
     
    Tundra Texan[OP] and Tunrod like this.
  9. May 17, 2025 at 1:03 PM
    #9
    Tundra Texan

    Tundra Texan [OP] New Member

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    None at this point.
    I have sealed batteries so that wont be happening.
    I've been using sealed Batteries without issue for many years.
    Like I said...I have the charger on it right now.
    It'll either wake up or not.
    From my experience as long as you drive your Truck on occasion it's not an issue.
     
  10. May 17, 2025 at 1:04 PM
    #10
    Tunrod

    Tunrod New Member

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    I'm still on OEM battery and don't drive the Tundra much, about 4k annually. I check and charge my battery monthly and seems to be fine. I'm not a big fan on time changes on batteries, but probably will replace this one soon from what I read on this site and the issues that can arise.
     
    Tundra Texan[OP] likes this.
  11. May 17, 2025 at 1:06 PM
    #11
    Tundra Texan

    Tundra Texan [OP] New Member

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    None at this point.
    Yeah...my 2016 started out that way.
    The problem started around two years ago.
    Couldnt tell you why though.
     
    Tunrod[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. May 17, 2025 at 1:25 PM
    #12
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

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    I never had any problems with batteries, but the truck is my daily driver.

    I had surgery in January and didn't drive it for a month.
    After a week, the voltage would get below 11 volts.
    I'd remote start it and let it run 15 minutes a day, but still had a voltage drop.

    After that month and driving the truck I still had voltage drops.
    Did an amp draw test and it was low, below average.
    The biggest draw is the remote start/alarm, always looking for a signal, but that is minimal.

    Took the battery to Interstate, they gave me a loaner battery, and tested/charged my battery for a few days.
    They said it was fine, after their recharge and back to daily driving, there was no more voltage drop.

    Had surgery again a week ago, this time bought a charger/maintainer to leave on the battery while I'm not driving it.
    I have not started it in 10 days, but I check the voltage now and then.
    It fluctuates between 12.6 and 13.6, depending on when I check it.


    upload_2025-5-17_15-22-18.png
     
    Tundra Texan[OP] and Tunrod like this.
  13. May 17, 2025 at 1:38 PM
    #13
    Tundra Texan

    Tundra Texan [OP] New Member

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    None at this point.

    Yeah....I've been down the whole surgery road.
     
    1lowlife[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. May 17, 2025 at 1:42 PM
    #14
    Tunrod

    Tunrod New Member

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    I'm getting close, but I did have the tube shoved up my nose down into my stomach while drinking water to help it go down :rofl:
     
  15. May 17, 2025 at 1:51 PM
    #15
    Tundra Texan

    Tundra Texan [OP] New Member

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    None at this point.
    Yeah...sounds like getting my stomach pumped when I was a kid.
    Mom left a full bottle of Bear Aspirin sitting out and apparently I liked that orange flavor and ate the whole bottle.
    Hell,I'm pushing 60 and still vividly remember that experience!!!
    Laying on a table while they shoved a tube down my throat that forced me to puke!!!
    Haven't liked oranges ever since.
     
    Tunrod[QUOTED] likes this.

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