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

Battery completely dead after driving?

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by 88mmalloy, May 9, 2019.

  1. May 9, 2019 at 11:28 AM
    #1
    88mmalloy

    88mmalloy [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2019
    Member:
    #30278
    Messages:
    14
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    mike
    I have a 2003 tundra v6, the other day the battery died because a door was left ajar. For the last 2 days I have to jump it every time I go to start it. I can drive it for an hour and the moment I turn it off, the battery is completely dead. Would this be a battery issue or an alternator issue?
     
  2. May 9, 2019 at 11:52 AM
    #2
    koditten

    koditten New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2018
    Member:
    #14241
    Messages:
    1,284
    Gender:
    Male
    Can you stop by auto zone or similar to have your charging system checked? It's a good place to start. Let us know what they suggest and report back. We can give you more accurate suggestion with a bit more info.
     
  3. May 9, 2019 at 11:55 AM
    #3
    88mmalloy

    88mmalloy [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2019
    Member:
    #30278
    Messages:
    14
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    mike
    I am going to stop after work, I will let you know what I’m told. Thank you
     
  4. May 9, 2019 at 11:57 AM
    #4
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2018
    Member:
    #17315
    Messages:
    9,976
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Luis
    All over SoCal
    Vehicle:
    The darkest
    It's really dark
    How old is the battery? Sounds like it might have been close to death and never recovered from that drain. Hopefully it's that, cheaper solve.
     
    TX-TRD1stGEN likes this.
  5. May 9, 2019 at 12:04 PM
    #5
    Windsor

    Windsor New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2018
    Member:
    #16847
    Messages:
    812
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tundra Crewmax 5.7L
    Seat covers, SnugTop.
    Generally speaking,
    Dies when driving- alternator
    Dead when trying to start- battery
    Sounds like the battery is gone.
     
    speedtre likes this.
  6. May 9, 2019 at 12:05 PM
    #6
    88mmalloy

    88mmalloy [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2019
    Member:
    #30278
    Messages:
    14
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    mike
    Forgot to mention, the battery is an autocraft gold and only like 3 months old.
     
  7. May 9, 2019 at 12:08 PM
    #7
    Windsor

    Windsor New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2018
    Member:
    #16847
    Messages:
    812
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tundra Crewmax 5.7L
    Seat covers, SnugTop.
    Take the battery back and have them load test it.
     
  8. May 9, 2019 at 12:11 PM
    #8
    00TundraZ

    00TundraZ New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2019
    Member:
    #27848
    Messages:
    266
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Zac
    Fort Wayne, Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2000 SR5 AC 4x4
    I agree that Battery should be tested first, electrical can do some weird stuff!

    However I will say that when my alternator went out it still charged a little, so the truck would keep running when at speed. However, when trying to start it back up the battery did not have enough juice from being charged by the alternator. So it still could be your alternator! If it is, then do yourself a favor and buy a Denso alternator. Don't go cheap or off-brand.
     
  9. May 9, 2019 at 2:37 PM
    #9
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14878
    Messages:
    15,007
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fred
    ‘Somewhere’... a State of Mind
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra SR5 4WD 4.7L AC Silver Metallica
    Hand Protectors
    How many miles on your truck?
     
  10. May 17, 2019 at 5:57 PM
    #10
    Bergmen

    Bergmen New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2018
    Member:
    #12418
    Messages:
    996
    Gender:
    Male
    Ukiah, California
    Vehicle:
    2018 Blazing Blue Pearl DC 4X2 SR5
    After jump starting and the engine is running, measure the voltage at the battery terminals. You should see 13.5-14 volts if your alternator is working properly. You may have to rev it slightly to see this. If 12 volts or less, the alternator is bad or worn out. Typically just the brushes need to be changed, no need for a new or rebuilt alternator.

    Dan
     
    Hooptytrix and TX-TRD1stGEN like this.
  11. May 17, 2019 at 9:13 PM
    #11
    Hooptytrix

    Hooptytrix Squeaky Chicken

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2016
    Member:
    #5179
    Messages:
    1,627
    Gender:
    Male
    Dirty South
    Vehicle:
    2000 AC 4x4, 2001 AC 4x4 Sold. 2005 DC SR5 2WD
    Not many people know about the brushes, what are brushes, where are brushes and of course how to anything brushes. I can't even remember the last time I cracked open an alternator...... I'm officially getting old
     
  12. May 18, 2019 at 7:58 AM
    #12
    Bergmen

    Bergmen New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2018
    Member:
    #12418
    Messages:
    996
    Gender:
    Male
    Ukiah, California
    Vehicle:
    2018 Blazing Blue Pearl DC 4X2 SR5
    If someone is a DIY type who would replace the alternator themselves, it is eezee peezee to remove the brush module on the rear of the alternator and replace it with a new module for $20.00 or so (no need to crack it open, just a few screws). Then it goes back in as if a new alternator was to be mounted. I've done this several times on several vehicles, alternator function restored completely. If one is not the DIY type then it is up to the mechanic.

    Dan
     
    Hooptytrix[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. May 18, 2019 at 8:13 AM
    #13
    Hooptytrix

    Hooptytrix Squeaky Chicken

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2016
    Member:
    #5179
    Messages:
    1,627
    Gender:
    Male
    Dirty South
    Vehicle:
    2000 AC 4x4, 2001 AC 4x4 Sold. 2005 DC SR5 2WD
    The armature in the Toyota alternator ride's on bearings correct? I know American vehicles use a copper bushing.

    I think the next time you get this job done you should make a video
     
  14. May 18, 2019 at 8:32 AM
    #14
    Bergmen

    Bergmen New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2018
    Member:
    #12418
    Messages:
    996
    Gender:
    Male
    Ukiah, California
    Vehicle:
    2018 Blazing Blue Pearl DC 4X2 SR5
    Yes, both Toyota alternators I replaced the brushes on (1982 SR5 long bed and 2006 Tundra) had ball bearings. The only wear point needing attention were the brushes. On my 1982 I had to remove the brushes from the module and install the new ones, a little more involved than the 2006. On the 2006, the brushes reside in a plastic module mounted to the back of the alternator. Remove old module, install new module, pull the pins that keep the new brushes retracted so they can contact the stator and that's it, remount in vehicle.

    I first learned this from a close friend who worked for decades as a Master GM mechanic. He indicated that most times (not always, but most) an alternator fails it is because of worn out brushes. In may cases, that was true.

    There are a bunch of videos on Youtube, just search for "replacing brushes in toyota alternators".

    Dan
     
  15. May 18, 2019 at 8:52 AM
    #15
    Hooptytrix

    Hooptytrix Squeaky Chicken

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2016
    Member:
    #5179
    Messages:
    1,627
    Gender:
    Male
    Dirty South
    Vehicle:
    2000 AC 4x4, 2001 AC 4x4 Sold. 2005 DC SR5 2WD
    Good stuff
     
  16. May 18, 2019 at 9:06 AM
    #16
    Hooptytrix

    Hooptytrix Squeaky Chicken

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2016
    Member:
    #5179
    Messages:
    1,627
    Gender:
    Male
    Dirty South
    Vehicle:
    2000 AC 4x4, 2001 AC 4x4 Sold. 2005 DC SR5 2WD

Products Discussed in

To Top