# I think I have a dying battery **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** batteries, starters, alternators\ **Created:** [October 22, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-have-a-dying-battery/21074 "2008-10-22T17:22:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ldupont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@ldupont](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ldupont)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-have-a-dying-battery/21074/1 "2008-10-22T17:22:08Z")
First a little background: I have a 2004 4-cylinder Toyota Tacoma. I’ve never had a problem with its “under the hood” components until now. I’ve been a diligent sucker and have taken it in to the dealer on their recommended schedule ever since I bought it. A couple days ago, I started it up in the morning to drive to my carpool-buddy’s house, and noticed the engine took a little longer to turn over before getting started. I drove to his house and parked (it was his week to drive). When we got back in the afternoon, my truck wouldn’t start. When I turn the key, it would click repeatedly, really fast (like, click-click-click-click-click-click), and the engine would turn over once (like, kaaa-wooom). It would then go back to clicking again. My friend and I tried jumping to his battery, and my truck started up right away, smooth as ever. I drove it home, and left it running for a total of about 20 minutes to try and put a charge into my seemingly dead battery. The next day, I didn’t drive it at all. Then this morning I went out to start it up, and when I turned the key, it was totally dead (no clicking). I let the key back, and tried starting again, and this time I got the same clicking, followed by one pained engine turn-over. I think I have a dead battery, but before I go to buy a new one, I wanted to run this by some other brains. I don’t think it’s my alternator, since she started up right away when the battery was jumped to my friend’s car. I don’t think it’s my starter because, well, again, it started when the battery was jumped. Can I buy a battery tester (I’m guessing my little in-home tester isn’t enough to test my car’s battery)? Should I take this in to someone test further (like, for a short somewhere in my electrical system that might be draining my battery)? Or is it most likely my battery that’s dead? ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2008, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-have-a-dying-battery/21074/2 "2008-10-22T17:26:26Z")
You can have both your battery and your charging system tested for free at many chain parts stores. Why guess? ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-have-a-dying-battery/21074/3 "2008-10-22T17:36:58Z")
You have four years on your battery now, your symptons fit perfectly with a “bad” battery. Replace the battery now, have the charging system tested. Trying to bring a totally (or almost totally) discharged battery up to full charge cannot be accomplished using the vehicles charging system (espically with a less than perfect battery and such a short vehicle charge time) I want my battery to be in perfect condition,just like my tires and other equipment,just my humble opinion. ---
**Author:** ![ldupont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@ldupont](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ldupont)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2008, 6:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-have-a-dying-battery/21074/4 "2008-10-22T18:00:02Z")
Sweet, there’s a Kragen right near my house. I’ll see if they’ll test my system for me. ---
**Author:** ![ldupont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@ldupont](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ldupont)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-have-a-dying-battery/21074/5 "2008-10-22T18:02:01Z")
I was worried about that short 20 minute charge time I gave it, but if 4 years is well beyond the expected lifespan of a battery, I’ll see about getting a new one. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-have-a-dying-battery/21074/6 "2008-10-22T19:49:36Z")
I don’t say it’s “well beyond” but it’s is at a point that if I start seeing symptons It goes. ---
**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2008, 11:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-have-a-dying-battery/21074/7 "2008-10-22T23:37:37Z")
Yes, get it tested. YOu could also have a bad connection between the battery and the rest of the car. If the battery has openings to all the cells, you can get a lot of information yourself with an inexpensive battery hydrometer.