Battery help… Still have the OG from manufacturer...

[4RUN07]

Hi. I just joined and this is actually one of my problems.

Brief history…

I was charging my phone in my car about 2 months ago and had the car turned over but not running… I left it charging for about 30 minutes and came back to a dead battery…

After leaving the car alone for about 20 minutes… the battery managed to recharge itself????? I was shocked but it did…

Fast forward to today, woke up this morning to go to work. Car battery dead.

Making a "click..click..click.." noise when turned over, tried to jump it but no dice.

Waited all day… jumped it again when I got home from work and it started right up. My 4-runner is a 2007 and it still has the orig Panasonic battery which I love (esp. if it magically recharges…)

From glancing through the posts… I guess it's hard to come by another one of these batteries? As I mentioned in my "intro"… I am a girl. I know nothing about cars. And I know that some girls know a thing or two about cars. I do not. I am a veterinary technician and could tell you the entire anatomy of a dog or cat but couldn't tell you where the starter is. I know. Because I looked. And now I am bruised up (because I thought that was my problem after my car wouldn't jump… yada yada…) Won't be doing that again.
Anywayyyyyy… Really long story short. If I can't get another panasonic battery (If I can, let me know where and how much)… I need the best battery I can buy for $120-$130.

Thank you!! Sorry so long and drug out. :wow: :blah:

 

[DC runner]

120 will get you a really decent battery. Sounds like your battery is dead. You can get a battery from Toyota, but you can also get a really good battery from Autozone or other such car shop.

The important thing is to match original equipment specs as close as possible. You don't want to buy an undersized battery, for example. Autozone will make sure you get one that is up to the task.

Hope that helps.

 

[4RUN07]

Thank you so much DC RUNNER. I am going to Auto Zone on Saturday with my brother. I was just really worried I wouldn't get a comparable battery for $120... I also don't want to get ripped off either... I want it to last as long as this original battery has. Thank you for your help. Very helpful!!

 

[eddiebx]

Thank you so much DC RUNNER. I am going to Auto Zone on Saturday with my brother. I was just really worried I wouldn't get a comparable battery for $120... I also don't want to get ripped off either... I want it to last as long as this original battery has. Thank you for your help. Very helpful!!

Not sure if you have a costco near you (and a membership), but they have some pretty awesome deals on batteries if you are on a budget. All in all, an excellent value IMO.

There's also nothing wrong with Autozone either, I've used their batteries in the past and have no issues either

 

[RunnerAK]

My original Panasonic started acting up a couple weeks ago too, so I replaced it with a Duralast Platinum Group 34R AGM battery from Autozone. It was about $120 after using an online coupon I found and has a 3 year warranty.

The Duralast Platinum batteries are AGMs made by Eastern Penn (good company). A bunch of other places sell the same exact battery with a different sticker on it (Sears, NAPA, etc.), but Autozone had the best price on it that I could find.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Welcome to the forum.

...After leaving the car alone for about 20 minutes… the battery managed to recharge itself...
... Car battery dead....Making a "click..click..click...
... My 4-runner is a 2007 and it still has the orig Panasonic battery...

Sorry about your truck troubles. However, all the above are symptoms of, and point to bad battery. You're actually lucky that your battery lasted that long; Many start to go bad on 3rd or 4th year.

I agree with replies above. Sears has good ones, too.

When you get battery replaced, also make sure connections are clean and have bare metal on bare metal contact. Grey metal is not bare metal. Make sure you see silver of steel or lead, and/or shiny brass contact surfaces.

 

[DC runner]

I just wandered over to autozone and this fellow looks to be your best bet, at your price point:
Duralast Gold/Battery (35-DLG) | 2004 Toyota 4 Runner 4WD 8 Cylinders T 4.7L EFI DOHC | AutoZone.com


Not sure if you are aware, but the core charge they add on will be removed or refunded when you hand them your old battery. It promotes automotive recycling and just about every car part has one.

If you have them replace the battery there (you should), they will take the old one and not even charge you the core charge. This one has a 5 year warranty, which is pretty good, and means the battery should realistically last 6 or 7. They always last past warranty, usually.

The good thing about getting a autozone brand battery is, they are everywhere, so if the battery does go bad you should be able to replace it just about anywhere. Autozone tracks warranty via phone number, so you don't need the receipt in case you lose it. This has saved my butt a few times.

 

[ebg18t]

If you have a SAMs club they offer the Duracell AGM batteries made by East Penn. Good pricing for a quality battery. I am running 2 of them in my 4Runner right now.

 

[MikeInNH]

I'm not convinced you have a battery problem. First thing I'd check is the connectors. Remove the battery cables..and clean the posts and cables then reinstall.

Batteries don't just fix themselves.

 

[TOY2G]

Hi. I just joined and this is actually one of my problems.

Brief history…

I was charging my phone in my car about 2 months ago and had the car turned over but not running… I left it charging for about 30 minutes and came back to a dead battery…

After leaving the car alone for about 20 minutes… the battery managed to recharge itself????? I was shocked but it did…

Fast forward to today, woke up this morning to go to work. Car battery dead.

Making a "click..click..click.." noise when turned over, tried to jump it but no dice.

Waited all day… jumped it again when I got home from work and it started right up. My 4-runner is a 2007 and it still has the orig Panasonic battery which I love (esp. if it magically recharges…)

From glancing through the posts… I guess it's hard to come by another one of these batteries? As I mentioned in my "intro"… I am a girl. I know nothing about cars. And I know that some girls know a thing or two about cars. I do not. I am a veterinary technician and could tell you the entire anatomy of a dog or cat but couldn't tell you where the starter is. I know. Because I looked. And now I am bruised up (because I thought that was my problem after my car wouldn't jump… yada yada…) Won't be doing that again.
Anywayyyyyy… Really long story short. If I can't get another panasonic battery (If I can, let me know where and how much)… I need the best battery I can buy for $120-$130.

Thank you!! Sorry so long and drug out. :wow: :blah:

Intermittent battery issues can often be something other than the battery.

That said, batteries rune between $90-$150 for a good quality battery. If you read the last page of my build thread there is a link to buy optima reverse post 34 series batteries for under $150 shipped. It may cost you a little more than a standard led-acid battery, but IMO well worth the extra few bucks.

Good luck

 

[4RUN07]

Battery help… Still have the OG from manufacturer...

Not sure if you have a costco near you (and a membership), but they have some pretty awesome deals on batteries if you are on a budget. All in all, an excellent value IMO.



There's also nothing wrong with Autozone either, I've used their batteries in the past and have no issues either

I don't have a Costco in my area :-( but thank you so much for letting me know! I think I am heading to autozone with my brother this weekend.

My original Panasonic started acting up a couple weeks ago too, so I replaced it with a Duralast Platinum Group 34R AGM battery from Autozone. It was about $120 after using an online coupon I found and has a 3 year warranty.



The Duralast Platinum batteries are AGMs made by Eastern Penn (good company). A bunch of other places sell the same exact battery with a different sticker on it (Sears, NAPA, etc.), but Autozone had the best price on it that I could find.

RunnerAK, I will look into the Duralast Platinum Group. Idk what AGM means... Any problems with the unit fitting in the battery spot w/o alterations? (Building anything to make it fit properly)

Welcome to the forum.





Sorry about your truck troubles. However, all the above are symptoms of, and point to bad battery. You're actually lucky that your battery lasted that long; Many start to go bad on 3rd or 4th year.



I agree with replies above. Sears has good ones, too.



When you get battery replaced, also make sure connections are clean and have bare metal on bare metal contact. Grey metal is not bare metal. Make sure you see silver of steel or lead, and/or shiny brass contact surfaces.

I had someone help me clean the connections yesterday. They were grey and now they are shiny silver. I did however notice last night that the water level in my battery is at "low level" maybe adding a little distilled water to the "high level" line will help??

I just wandered over to autozone and this fellow looks to be your best bet, at your price point:

Duralast Gold/Battery (35-DLG) | 2004 Toyota 4 Runner 4WD 8 Cylinders T 4.7L EFI DOHC | AutoZone.com





Not sure if you are aware, but the core charge they add on will be removed or refunded when you hand them your old battery. It promotes automotive recycling and just about every car part has one.



If you have them replace the battery there (you should), they will take the old one and not even charge you the core charge. This one has a 5 year warranty, which is pretty good, and means the battery should realistically last 6 or 7. They always last past warranty, usually.



The good thing about getting a autozone brand battery is, they are everywhere, so if the battery does go bad you should be able to replace it just about anywhere. Autozone tracks warranty via phone number, so you don't need the receipt in case you lose it. This has saved my butt a few times.

DCRUNNER..You are AWESOME!! Thank you for the advice and taking a trip to Auto Zone and posting! I'm sure you had to go there for other reasons but I'm happy you gave me a grey suggestion. This is exactly what I needed!!

If you have a SAMs club they offer the Duracell AGM batteries made by East Penn. Good pricing for a quality battery. I am running 2 of them in my 4Runner right now.

EBG18t---
I have a Sam's but no membership :-/
How do you need two batteries?

I'm not convinced you have a battery problem. First thing I'd check is the connectors. Remove the battery cables..and clean the posts and cables then reinstall.

Batteries don't just fix themselves.

MikeInNH, I think I AM having some electronic issues too... Honestly... My area that displays the gas mileage, miles to empty, time, etc... The light has a tiny almost unnoticeable flicker... But I'm OCD and I see it. Also sometimes the driver side window control (you push down slightly and the window rolls down but if you push down all the way it rolls down automatically) well the "automatic" option where it goes down and up by itself wasn't working when I was parked... But as I drove more it started working again? And the back windshield wiper was stuck in the engaged position... But after reading through as forums it's because the back window was slightly cracked open

Intermittent battery issues can often be something other than the battery.



That said, batteries rune between $90-$150 for a good quality battery. If you read the last page of my build thread there is a link to buy optima reverse post 34 series batteries for under $150 shipped. It may cost you a little more than a standard led-acid battery, but IMO well worth the extra few bucks.



Good luck

TOY2G, I am going to check out your build thread and that link. Thank you!!

 

[Gatafly]

I'm not convinced you have a battery problem. First thing I'd check is the connectors. Remove the battery cables..and clean the posts and cables then reinstall.

Batteries don't just fix themselves.

I would have to agree.

Go into a shop and have the battery tested. if they say it is bad then you know. I honestly believe these Panasonic batteries last longer than any other battery. I still have my Panasonic battery and it is 10 years old with 135k on it. I am in Minnesota and we have had some very cold days this winter and it has turned over slowly, but never failed me yet. Two years ago when I had tires put on they checked the battery and said it was weak. I said thank you and never considered replacing it. I am going to run it till it dies to see how long it will go.

If you do have to replace it I would consider Costco. Their prices are great and they are rated one of the best batteries and made by Johnson Controls.

 

[TOY2G]

TOY2G, I am going to check out your build thread and that link. Thank you!!

Here is the link. looks like they went up about 8 bucks, but still a great price for an optima If you get one be sure you get the reverse post so it fits correctly.

Amazon.com: Optima 8003-151-FFP RedTop Group 34 Starting Battery: Automotive

 

[4RUN07]

Battery help… Still have the OG from manufacturer...

I would have to agree.



Go into a shop and have the battery tested. if they say it is bad then you know. I honestly believe these Panasonic batteries last longer than any other battery. I still have my Panasonic battery and it is 10 years old with 135k on it. I am in Minnesota and we have had some very cold days this winter and it has turned over slowly, but never failed me yet. Two years ago when I had tires put on they checked the battery and said it was weak. I said thank you and never considered replacing it. I am going to run it till it dies to see how long it will go.



If you do have to replace it I would consider Costco. Their prices are great and they are rated one of the best batteries and made by Johnson Controls.

Yes, I have heard of some people running these Panasonic batteries for 10+ years... Mines an 07 with 66,000 on it. I'm in Florida so the weather here for the last 2 days has been in the 40's and what do you know... "Battery dies" or whatever it is... It's running good so far today. A little hesitate when I start her up but it's been doing that for a few weeks now..

Weirdly enough, my back windshield wiper comes on when I start my car. But I am out of windshield wiper fluid, is that normal?

 

[TOY2G]

Weirdly enough, my back windshield wiper comes on when I start my car. But I am out of windshield wiper fluid, is that normal?

 

[MikeInNH]

Yes, I have heard of some people running these Panasonic batteries for 10+ years

The longevity of batteries depends on what part of the country you live in. Here in the North East - 7-10 years is typical. In the deep south - maybe 4-5 years. Heat is a battery killer. Cold will show you how weak a battery is - but it helps make the battery last longer.

Panasonic is pretty much the undisputed battery leader. Not just automotive batteries. Too bad you can't buy their automotive battery here in the US (at least last time I checked).

 

[chaz]

rear wiper making a pass when first starting 4r is a sign of needing a new battery.

 

[TKinstler]

Weirdly enough, my back windshield wiper comes on when I start my car. But I am out of windshield wiper fluid, is that normal?

Replace your battery and this will go away. I just had this happen to me. I replaced my battery and its gone. Every time I started my 4runner the rear wiper would make one swipe. I searched on here to see if this happened to anyone else and it has. When your battery gets a low charge for some reason the rear wiper turns on once. Members on here don't know if its a warning Toyota did or if its just one of those things. Also after you replace the battery you will have to reset your automatic window sensors on the drivers side and rear. That and my rear defrost and recirc. button took a minute for the computer to "reread", but all works good now. Good luck!

 

[4RUN07]

Replace your battery and this will go away. I just had this happen to me. I replaced my battery and its gone. Every time I started my 4runner the rear wiper would make one swipe. I searched on here to see if this happened to anyone else and it has. When your battery gets a low charge for some reason the rear wiper turns on once. Members on here don't know if its a warning Toyota did or if its just one of those things. Also after you replace the battery you will have to reset your automatic window sensors on the drivers side and rear. That and my rear defrost and recirc. button took a minute for the computer to "reread", but all works good now. Good luck!

Relief!!!!! Thank you thank you! I thought I was having another problem...

 

[4RUN07]

rear wiper making a pass when first starting 4r is a sign of needing a new battery.

Thank you!!! [MENTION=19297]chaz[/MENTION]