99 has hard time turning over

vtruong1 · 11-22-2009, 06:28 AM

I have a 99 with 140k. Most recently the truck has a hard time turning over in the morning. It will start to turn over then stop. 2nd try almost always works and car starts and good throughout the rest of the day. Sounded to me like a weak battery as temps drop overnight but I took a volt meter to it one morning before I started it and it read 12.5 volts which means its holding its charge. Interestate battery is only 3 years old, I dont think its the starter because it does try to turn over...ideas?

Thanks

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Gnarly4X · 11-22-2009, 06:44 AM

A 12.5 volt reading at the battery terminals doesn't mean that the cables are getting the juice. Clean the cable clamps and the terminals.

http://www.toolsource.com/battery-te...jj29clon7n6ef6

There doesn't have to be "fuzz" around the positive terminal to have a bad connection. There is a translucent hard film that will form around the post and clamps.

Does the battery have caps to check and refill the cells, or is it sealed? If it's open, then do a hydrometer test on each cell.

http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductL...egoryCode=3020

gNARLS.

OSU4Runner · 11-22-2009, 06:54 AM

12.5 volts is pretty low. Without the truck running, my batteries have always read up around 13.5 to 14 volts. Just take it to autozone and have them test the battery. Clean up the battery posts too like Gnarly said.

Bojangles · 11-22-2009, 07:15 AM

Might be time to just bite the bullet and buy a new battery.
If thats not the problem it will have a warranty and you could take it back.
But first take a pocket knife and clean the Battery terminals up till they shine, then put those clamps back on to see if thats the problem.

b0n3mast3r · 11-22-2009, 11:32 AM

could be a dead cell

BigBallsMcFalls · 11-22-2009, 02:02 PM

starter contacts

vtruong1 · 11-22-2009, 06:42 PM

Yeah..I'm thinking the battery is somehow bad. Cant be starter contacts if it tries to turn over without clicking and ok the rest of the day after an initial start?

BajaRunner · 11-22-2009, 07:05 PM

12.5V is on the line of being a "bad" battery. How old is it? How many month battery is it? If its older, buy a new battery to start... My experience with starter contact problems sound different.

vtruong1 · 11-23-2009, 04:11 PM

The battery is an Interstate MT24F and is about 3 years old. It has a total 75 month warranty which means it would have had to fail within 24 months for me to get a replacement. Ill check the cells tomorrow and let you know.

BigBallsMcFalls · 11-23-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtruong1

Yeah..I'm thinking the battery is somehow bad. Cant be starter contacts if it tries to turn over without clicking and ok the rest of the day after an initial start?

well, yes bad contacts can cause all sorts of flaky symptoms

a fresh battery can overpower the deficiency of bad contacts and you
can be right back at square one in a month or two...that is how my starter
went out. looked like bad battery, new batt fixed it for a month. then the starter really fried. and it never clicked once.

anyhow...'could be' doesn't mean for sure...was for me though

brian2sun · 11-23-2009, 10:11 PM

Bad batteries can have proper voltage but low or no cranking amps (which is what matters when it's trying to turn the engine over). It still could be starter contacts, but it's easier to test the battery 1st w/ a good tester that shows cranking amps and voltage and then compare the #s to the sticker on the battery. Most batteries have between 450-1000 c.c.a. (cold cranking amps) depending on the brand and type. Most auto parts stores have testers you can use for free.

vtruong1 · 01-10-2010, 06:56 AM

FYI BigBalls was right....it was my starter contacts. Changed them out and all it good. About a 2hr job just because bolts are long and take while to get out with 3/8 drive.

11-22-2009, 06:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
Gnarly4X Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Casa Grande, AZ, USA Posts: 682	A 12.5 volt reading at the battery terminals doesn't mean that the cables are getting the juice. Clean the cable clamps and the terminals. http://www.toolsource.com/battery-te...jj29clon7n6ef6 There doesn't have to be "fuzz" around the positive terminal to have a bad connection. There is a translucent hard film that will form around the post and clamps. Does the battery have caps to check and refill the cells, or is it sealed? If it's open, then do a hydrometer test on each cell. http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductL...egoryCode=3020 gNARLS. Last edited by Gnarly4X; 11-22-2009 at 06:49 AM.

11-22-2009, 06:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
OSU4Runner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Woodway, TX Posts: 1,347	12.5 volts is pretty low. Without the truck running, my batteries have always read up around 13.5 to 14 volts. Just take it to autozone and have them test the battery. Clean up the battery posts too like Gnarly said. __________________ 2006 Tacoma SR5 - Stock for now 2000 4Runner Limited 16x8 Pro Comp Steelies wrapped in 285/75R16 Pro Comp M/T'S~RB 2" Body Lift~SS 1.2 Lift~1st Gen Roll Bar~Surco Safari Rack~ Trail Gear Sliders~Deckplate Mod w/ True Flow~Satoshi Grille~Hayden 1678 Aux Cooler~Safari Snorkel and a bunch of other crap.....

11-22-2009, 06:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
vtruong1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 144	Yeah..I'm thinking the battery is somehow bad. Cant be starter contacts if it tries to turn over without clicking and ok the rest of the day after an initial start? __________________ 99 Limited 4runner Dark Green Deckplate Mod Dr Z ISR Mod Amsoil Filter Catch-All Floor Mats

11-22-2009, 07:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
BajaRunner Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: 5th Gen San Diegan, California Posts: 6,112	12.5V is on the line of being a "bad" battery. How old is it? How many month battery is it? If its older, buy a new battery to start... My experience with starter contact problems sound different. __________________ BajaRunner 1996 4x4 3.4L SR5 4Runner *6" IFS lift Front: TRD Coils/Bilstein 5125 * Rear: FJ80 Shocks/Coils * ARB Tacoma bumper * 35" MTR's and E-locked!**

11-23-2009, 04:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
vtruong1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 144	The battery is an Interstate MT24F and is about 3 years old. It has a total 75 month warranty which means it would have had to fail within 24 months for me to get a replacement. Ill check the cells tomorrow and let you know. __________________ 99 Limited 4runner Dark Green Deckplate Mod Dr Z ISR Mod Amsoil Filter Catch-All Floor Mats

11-22-2009, 07:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
Bojangles Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sc Posts: 62	Might be time to just bite the bullet and buy a new battery. If thats not the problem it will have a warranty and you could take it back. But first take a pocket knife and clean the Battery terminals up till they shine, then put those clamps back on to see if thats the problem.

11-22-2009, 11:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
b0n3mast3r Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 64	could be a dead cell

11-22-2009, 02:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
BigBallsMcFalls Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 565	starter contacts

11-23-2009, 10:11 PM	#11 (permalink)
brian2sun Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lake Arrowhead, CA Posts: 827	Bad batteries can have proper voltage but low or no cranking amps (which is what matters when it's trying to turn the engine over). It still could be starter contacts, but it's easier to test the battery 1st w/ a good tester that shows cranking amps and voltage and then compare the #s to the sticker on the battery. Most batteries have between 450-1000 c.c.a. (cold cranking amps) depending on the brand and type. Most auto parts stores have testers you can use for free. __________________ 97 4Runner SR5 3.4L 4x4 285/75R16 Dunlop M/T Maxx Tractions Front - OME 883s & N91SC shocks Rear - OME 891s N86C shocks ARB rear locker ARB Bullbar 4.88s Pulled my ABS fuse mod My 4th Toyota truck

01-10-2010, 06:56 AM	#12 (permalink)
vtruong1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 144	FYI BigBalls was right....it was my starter contacts. Changed them out and all it good. About a 2hr job just because bolts are long and take while to get out with 3/8 drive. __________________ 99 Limited 4runner Dark Green Deckplate Mod Dr Z ISR Mod Amsoil Filter Catch-All Floor Mats

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