Slow Cranking - Battery?

[IGGGY]

I have an 07 HB. I've noticed that cranking on start is getting slower. The indicator on the service-free battery says it's OK. Got to figure the battery is at least 3 years old. But I haven't much of anything on the forums about battery problems. You guys got anything?

[1stToyota]

I have an 07 HB. I've noticed that cranking on start is getting slower. The indicator on the service-free battery says it's OK. Got to figure the battery is at least 3 years old. But I haven't much of anything on the forums about battery problems. You guys got anything?

Somebody with a decent tester (Midtronics) can get a quick health check of your battery, starter & charging system...should be able to tell you exactly how many CCA/CA your battery is rated at now.

[talnlnky]

use it till it no longer turns over. Batteries slowly lose their charge over time, especially if they've been completely discharged and recharged multiple times. To try and get a some additional time out of your battery you can...

Stop playing the stereo a minute before you get to your destination, and wait 1 minute when starting your car before turning your stereo on. (allows your battery to have a more complete charge

don't use electronics when your car is not turned on (once again, radio is primary offender here... but sometimes people will have their fan blowing too).

[Bob Dog]

Have you tries a trickle charger. I'm still runiing the original battery on my Tacoma afte 8 yrs with regular trickle charges.

[IllusionX]

keeping the battery FULL helps keeping it working longer.

so, many short trips definitely do not help. Although, lead acid batteries usually have a life of 4years.

[Yaris Hilton]

A lot of them don't make it that long. I've kept some going with the trickle charger. Often there comes a point when they're just suddenly DEAD and there's nothing you can do about it except put in a new one.

[RedRide]

Igggy....I see you live in Las Vagas.
Contrary to most popular opinions, it's heat, not cold that will destroy a battery.

AS others have stated, your battery is just probably on its way out.
I've seen many batteries just die after about 4 years.

[talnlnky]

Igggy....I see you live in Las Vagas.
Contrary to most popular opinions, it's heat, not cold that will destroy a battery.

AS others have stated, your battery is just probably on its way out.
I've seen many batteries just die after about 4 years.

neither "destroy" a battery they only affect the discharge rates...

Heat = quicker discharge.... without proper charging, yeah, it will die quicker than normal

Cold = slower discharge.... get it cold enough and an otherwise battery won't be able to start the car. Bat isn't dead, just too slow/cold... would probably work perfectly fine in temps 30F higher.

I had a stock mazda 626 bat last me 5 years... it still worked perfectly fine when replaced. I only replaced it because I was running 2500 rms worth in amplifiers. Replaced it with an Optima blue top... that lasted me 5 years as well... it still was working perfectly fine, I didn't get rid of that battery... I sold the car... would've kept the battery, except I was moving to japan, and it wasn't worth putting in storage.

I lived in a climate that hit 0F (or below) in the winters, and 100F (or higher) in the summers.... both hot & cold... both batteries held up perfectly fine... It's all about how you use them.

Also.... if anybody wants to reduce stress on the bat & alt... they should upgrade the alt to bat cable (for quicker charges), and the bat to chasis cable (for more efficient discharges). Stock is 8awg I think.... add a 4awg cable in addition... would literally cut the electrical resistance down to a third of the original amount. Would cost less than $15 and 30 mins to do up all nicely.

[Bob Dog]

could also help solve the battery problems I have on my tractor

[Yaris Hilton]

Cleaning terminals and connections often helps a lot.

[CpKi1g3]

check for lose cables.

[Bob Dog]

Ditto YH: cleaning terminals can completely slove many problems that intially seem quite serious: a wire brush, some wd and some carborundum sand paper and a rag can work wonders. Anti corrosion compound on the terminals is well worth the pitance it costs (in the little plastic envelopes for under a buck)

[2+2]

Ditto YH: cleaning terminals can completely slove many problems that intially seem quite serious: a wire brush, some wd and some carborundum sand paper and a rag can work wonders. Anti corrosion compound on the terminals is well worth the pitance it costs (in the little plastic envelopes for under a buck)

Ditto.

My experience with batteries is there's three phases.

Phase 1: Forgetaboutit: you turn the key and the magic just happens.
Phase 2: Clean the battery posts and cable ends a couple of times a year and life is good.
Phase 3: How well stocked is your wallet?

Grasshopper, I'm guessing you've entered phase 2.

[TOUGEghost]

Another thing to keep in mind is that low voltage and slow cranking will eventually burn up your starter. I know I'd rather just get a new battery than a new battery and a new starter.

[1stToyota]

Another thing to keep in mind is that low voltage and slow cranking will eventually burn up your starter. I know I'd rather just get a new battery than a new battery and a new starter.

And another thing to remember is that an alternator needs a good reference source (AKA: battery) ...that's why when replacing an alternator rule of thumb is to recharge battery to at least 75% of a full charge before starting vehicle. I'm guessing that if OP had his battery tested it'd be down about 100 amps from the original CCA rating on the battery, unless there's an obvious fault such as corrosion build-up.

[RedRide]

We can discuss semantics but excessive heat is bad for a battery and can shorten its life. :smile:

Yeah, battery termnal corrosion is often a problem.
This is one reason why I like Optima batteries. They are corrosion free due to being completely sealed.