**EDIT: MP3 Sample to hear 'question'
((please right click & save - the download should be very quick)):
http://www.collectiveunconscious.org/20024R_start.mp3

I recently purchased a 2002 4Runner. Right now it is shy of 70,000 miles. Was curious - does anyone know when it is recommended to put a new battery in? How many miles, approximate? Has the factory-issued-one in there now.

Reason why I ask is (although we've had no problems starting) there seems to be a slight delay when I start it up it takes a second to engage or start. it's never *not* started, however, from the time the key is in the ignition seems to take a little longer than other vehicles I've driven.

Any ideas or insight are greatly appreciated.

 

Clean battery post connections and check other starter connections for corrosion or loose.

 

mine takes longer too, than other cars

I just went to wal-mart and bought their best battery with a 5yr warranty

reason: stock died using it to weld and other stuff we shouldn't have been doing with it, new one seemed to help with starting for about a week.... maybe i need to check my batt connections too

 

your starter contacts are probably getting worse.. mine takes a while to start but it always does

 

my 02 has 125K and the original battery...minimal accesories

ill replace it when it dies and not a second sooner

 

Mine takes a bit longer to start too. Its always been like that. Wait til it dies. Why spend the money now.

 

If the battery is going--going but not dead yet, doesnt that put a strain on the alternator, maybe the fuel pump doesnt get enough juice, little sensors starved or needed energy, head lights suffering from famine. Ok so its not a save the children post-->BUT-->and it could just be me-->replaced my battery as it was going bad. Put in an Orbit and it used to ping but it doesnt do it quite as badly anymore. What says yuds guys

i believe in preventative maintenance

 

Update:

I posted a MP3 sample of the start-up (twice). Right click & save:
http://www.collectiveunconscious.org/20024R_start.mp3

Is this a battery issue or how these beasts start-up?

 

sounds just like mine, except I have a bad belt too, and it squeals a little (a lot, need to get that fixed ) I'm going to try new fuel filter this summer

(mine = '99 with 82,000, and new sparkplugs/wires and battery)

 

My 2000 with 82k miles is a bit slower to start than other vehicles I've owned.

 

My car is the same way, it takes longer to start than others, but it always starts

 

I would say ignition. Mine has a long start like that too. Let it run for a minute and then try.
Here is what i have noticed since my remote starter installation.
I have the timer set to run the starter for .6 seconds. On a cold morning during the first start, .6 seconds isn't long enough to start the truck. So it waits about 10 seconds and tries again, and starts on the second try, which is still .6 seconds.

Now here is the kicker, if i have been driving it and i shut it down and walk away for a minute or two and start it with the remote starter (.6 seconds still) it will actually grind for about .2 seconds of the .6 seconds.

I think it all has to do more with the 4runner and the engine being warm.
Drive for a few miles and then turn the engine off for like 30 seconds, and start it again. If it still takes a long time before starting you might have a problem, but my guess it is just takes longer

I do agree though that it does seem like a longer start, my 4runner verse my moms focus, my dads ranger, my friends f-150.... etc all have a shorter start time.

BTW i just cleaned my batter terminals a few days ago, didn't help or anything. Another thing backing up that fact it is just a longer start