Question Starting problems - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

Gwenhilde · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 01:33 PM

Hey everyone,

Just a question, have been reading quite a bit the last few hours on the forum here, and have got a ton of information out of it.

I have a 2002 Tundra V8 2wd, and she decided she won't start anymore.
Got the famous clicking sound which made me think it might be the solenoid from reading the forum. Though I decided this morning to give it another go after cleaning the battery. And after about 3 or 4 times I noticed the lights going dim, odometer and the clock were barely visible, which made me think it was the battery. Now for the question :P Is it possible the solenoid causing the clicking sound because of a bad battery?

Any other tips or suggestions are very welcome :P I'm more of a computer nerd then a car mechanic so be gentle

duffyatkinson · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 03:00 PM

Dollars to donuts it's the battery. You can always get it tested, but I'd just go to Walmart, Costco, or Autozone and pick yourself up a new battery and call it a day.

ToyTun21 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 03:43 PM

Did you try jumping it?

main70072 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 04:02 PM

Since you indicated that your lights were going dim and clock barely visible, I am pretty sure it is your battery. When cleaning the battery, did you noticed any corrosion on the battery posts/terminals? If so, clean them really well and make sure that they are tighten. You can try jumping it, but from previous experience with the Tundra, a dead cell will not hold enough to start the truck. Best way is to get it tested and/or replace with a new one.

Gwenhilde · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 04:05 PM

@duffyatkinson Thanks, that was the feeling I was getting. First thing tomorrow i'll be picking up a new one. Not sure how old the battery is in it have only had the truck since may. Before that it belonged to my father in law and due to his health issues that he had I wouldn't be surprised if he never changed the battery since he got it. Though it isn't the original battery so somewhere between 02 and 07 it got changed. But I know the AZ climate can be difficult on the batteries.

@ToyTun21 That definitely was my intention, but I don't have a set of cables in the truck or in our 4runner so that was out of the question....maybe this will give me the incentive to finally get a couple and keep cables in both vehicles

Gwenhilde · #6 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 04:14 PM

@main70072 actually yes there was corrosion on the clamps and cables but actually surprisingly little on the terminals. But I cleaned it off hooked the battery back up and let it sit for a while to see if it would give me enough of a charge so I could run to the store :P but no luck there