Question Battery Drain - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

larycut · #1 (**permalink**) 06-18-2009, 12:50 PM

My sister has a 2004 Limited DC she is having battery drain over night, she has had the amp parasitic drain corrected, changed battery still no change. Could it be the starter because it clicks if it was a drained battery it would do nothing.

Thanks Larry

velocitymotorsports · #2 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 12:30 AM

For parasitic draws you have to find out where the draw is coming from. Do you have a multi meter ? Do you know how yo use it ?
Pull the ground from the battery, make sure all doors and anything that can draw power is off(so you don't blow the meter's fuse, so no domelights and no ign), set meter to mA, place meter in line with - terminal and the battery, walk away for 30 minutes, come back and get the reading. If the measurement is more then 50mA then something is drawing current. But even at this low a draw it would still take more then 2 or 3 days on a GOOD battery. If you do have a draw start pulling fuses to eliminate different circuits. When the draw goes away you've found the circuit that is causing problems.

Mr. Creosote · #3 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 01:50 AM

As a first guess I would look at the alternator as a possible parasitic load.

masterofstuff · #4 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 06:47 AM

I had the same issue with my 04 dc. I had the original wet cell battery about 4 years when it suddenly started to die. I'd get up to go to work and find the battery dead.

I replaced the battery with a optima and no more problems. A couple of cells died in the wet cell...it does get real cold in Pennsylvania at times.

pimpmassa · #5 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 11:20 AM

This just happened to me this weekend in my 04 dc. I just assumed i left a door ajar and drove the truck around for about an hour to charge it up. After arriving at home, it started right back up, then this morning it wouldn't turn over.

I have not yet tried to see if there was a parasitic load, though i wonder if my extended warranty (that i unfortunately got talked into buying) will cover a new battery? I think i will buy a new one anyhow. Is there a particular model of optima that everyone is using for their DCs?

benbeaux · #6 (**permalink**) 08-18-2009, 08:25 PM

Clean the top of the battery. Dirt/oil/grease/crud can cause a battery to drain by creating a high resistance across the terminals. High resistance=low current (Ohm's law).

Also, make sure the terminals are clean & tight. A loose terminal can prevent the battery from fully charging.