Is my battery in need of replacement

JOHNCPEN

MEMBER
2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA
3.4L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
190,000 MILES

As soon as I can I'm going to get to an auto parts store to have them test it.

This vehicle is driven daily at least five miles at a time and the voltage first thing in the morning is 12.2

Voltage is 14.25 with all accessories on and engine running.

Starting at 12.2 volts I put my charger on at 2 amps. The meter said it was over one hundred percent charged. In just a few minutes, charging terminated automatically.

I checked the voltage immediately and it was up to 13.6.

Time for a new battery or should I have it tested to be sure?

5 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,576 POSTS

I would have it tested as most chain parts store will do it for free, however 12.2 is very low for a fully charged battery. I would say it is likely time for a replacement, especially if this is an original battery.

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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 2:20 PM

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello, I'm Danny.

You should definitely have you battery load tested. Here is a tutorial showing what is involved:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Most of your local auto parts stores will perform this service for free.Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 2:28 PM

JOHNCPEN

MEMBER
19 POSTS

I had it load tested at Advance Auto Parts. They said it is rated higher than the capacity stated on the battery. My testing was done with two different multi-meters. It does turn over just fine even at 8 degrees. Does this seem odd? Any explanation?

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Saturday, November 30th, 2019 AT 8:23 AM

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello again.

Yes, very odd. I hope Advanced parts did a load test and not just test voltage by hooking a multi-meter to it. A true load test adds massive amp draw for 10 seconds to see if battery will hold up. Have you added any aftermarket electrical accessories (radio, lights) etc? Maybe your electrical system has a drain. The best way to test a drain is to remove negative battery cable and install a test light between battery terminal and battery post. With the test light being lit up remove fuses one at a time and if there is a drain the test light will dramatically drain when you find the suspected circuit. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-

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Saturday, November 30th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,576 POSTS

If the test was done correctly and you still see those voltages I suspect you have some corrosion in the connections. If you want to verify that use your meter on voltage and probe the ends of the battery cable and see if you show any voltage drop.
For a few tests-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APLic9F7ZsA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfLyh43iihM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0LjwQbUbg