2008 4Runner Won't Start, Rapid Clicking Noise

[blacter]

My '08 4Runner has been having issues with the battery. The thing would be completely dead after sitting for a couple of days. So, this morning I was planning to bring it to the dealer. It needed a jump, so I did that, but the car wouldn't start. Instead, I heard a rapid clicking noise. All the lights and accessories worked and the dash lights flickered in time to the clicking.

To be sure I didn't have a short in the 4Runner batter, I disconnected it and hooked the second battery directly to the 4Runner battery cables. Same result.

Any suggestions?

 

[MikesToy]

Is your OEM battery Panasonic?

 

[the_josh]

My '08 4Runner has been having issues with the battery. The thing would be completely dead after sitting for a couple of days. So, this morning I was planning to bring it to the dealer. It needed a jump, so I did that, but the car wouldn't start. Instead, I heard a rapid clicking noise. All the lights and accessories worked and the dash lights flickered in time to the clicking.

To be sure I didn't have a short in the 4Runner batter, I disconnected it and hooked the second battery directly to the 4Runner battery cables. Same result.

Any suggestions?

To be clear: the second batter you hooked up was a fresh charged battery?

The clicking sound you hear is normal when the battery doesn't have enough juice to crank the starter.

How old is the main battery? You can try dropping it off at a auto parts place and they can test it for you so you can rule out something whether it's the battery or a short in the truck

 

[blacter]

Is your OEM battery Panasonic?

Not sure (the car's at the dealer). Why do you ask?

 

[MikesToy]

Panasonic battery is da bomb. Let us know what the stealer finds.

 

[4rnner4life]

Battery terminals

this may be simplistic, but my 2000 4runner was having similar issues. in the span of a few weeks it went from no issues to a rough start after trying a few times, funny noises while starting, the accessories were fully powered but made whirring and clicking noises when trying to start it, had to jump it a few times. finally i cleaned the battery terminals and cables with baking soda and denatured alcohol to remove the old grimey grease, works perfect now. i'll definitely be looking for a good deal on starter contacts and a relay as it's getting kind of old. i was ready to take out the starter and tear everything apart, good thing i'm lazy

 

[blacter]

Just to close the loop, it turned out that my after-market radio was depleting the battery even with the car off. Switching back to the factory radio cured the problem.