Vehicle starting or possible electrical issue

2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
101,000 MILES • 2.4L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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TEAKIE2010
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  • 2 POSTS
This vehicle has become a back-up vehicle due to the wife of the person I am working on this for, is no longer able to drive due to a brain tumor.
The main issue that was going on was the battery was dead, so put charger on it to charge battery. The person drove it for a week. Let it sit for four days again the battery was dead. Chose to take alternator out to get tested (because when in vehicle it was testing fine) and alternator was bad. Changed that six months ago and it was running great. People would ask to borrow the vehicle so it was being driven more. Went out to start it after about three weeks of it not being run, only clicked. Jumped the battery and drove it around for twenty minutes. Again about an hour later, it was dead. Today the owner put a battery charger on it and it said the battery was fully charged. The interior lights and dash lights came on. Turned key and click. After a few times of turning key and hearing click, the interior lights went off and dash lights went off. I am at a loss with this. Tried both keys that worked with car and tried to jiggle keys. Nothing. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
May 5, 2019 at 1:53 PM
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SCGRANTURISMO
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 4,897 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hello,

This could be a problem with the battery itself going bad. When a battery is on the verge of going bad, the weather will be the final push for it, either going from cold to hot or hot to cold. My suggestion would be to take your vehicle's battery out and get it tested at an auto parts store like Autozone. Please get back to us with what you find out.

thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
May 6, 2019 at 3:12 AM
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TEAKIE2010
  • MEMBER
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That was my thought last time this happened before changing alternator. I took battery to two different stores last time and both said it was fine. (Then again they tested alternator in car and said it was good too when it was bad). I will take battery in to get tested again. The battery is only two years old at most. I will update you. If anyone thinks of any other possibility please let me know too. Thanks again.
May 6, 2019 at 3:52 PM
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SCGRANTURISMO
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 4,897 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hello again,

Okay, here is a link that you can test the battery yourself

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

and if the battery is dead then here is a link on how to change it out for you.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-battery

Please keep us informed.

Thank you,
Alex
2CarPros
May 6, 2019 at 9:13 PM
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