Battery Issue/Question??

[mac777daddy]

2004 4Runner V-6 2WD 96k miles. When cranking it sounds like it is taking a little longer on the starter to get the engine started then normal. My thought was bad battery. I took the 4runner to AutoZone. The young guy working there pointed out a small crack near one of the top terminals and immediately said bad battery. I said OK and purchased a new battery. When he installed the new battery my 4runner took just as long to crank and once cranked my 4runner had a hard time idling. I told him to take the new battery out and put back in the original Panasonic battery. My 4runner is back the way it was. Runs fine just seems like it takes longer to start. AutoZone did put the battery tester on their new battery when it was installed in my 4runner and he said his new battery was good but looks like my alternator is not putting out properly. Does anyone have any ideas on why my 4runner would not idle correctly with their new battery installed? Thanks

 

[snowbrdr033]

I had a similar issue a few months ago. I had a bad battery, it was charged enough to re-start the truck while at Autozone when they had the computer hooked up to the truck. He said the battery was bad, alternator did not have the correct voltage regulator (who knows).
So battery was under warranty, got a new one, all was well. Few weeks later, still concerned about the alternator, so I went to a different store and had them check it with the computer. Everything checked out just fine, he said.
I just thought that because of the bad battery, something was amiss with the alternator, making the computer think that something was wrong, when it really wasn't. Don't know if this is part of your issue or not, since it's idling rough.

Does your tach go up and down alot while idling in park? Does the engine "feel" rough when it's idling, i.e. you can feel the motor shaking the truck while it's sitting there? If that makes sense....

 

[mac777daddy]

Yes when AutoZone installed their battery the engine would idle between 1k and 500 and seemed like it was about to stall. The interior did shake more. We put the original Panasonic battery back in and engine ran fine. Not sure what that issue is? Do you think alternator is bad or should I just go spend extra money and get an Interstate Battery? I have an Interstate dealer near my house.

 

[snowbrdr033]

How old is the Panasonic battery? I think that's the one that yota puts in the truck when you get it....from what I've read, those battery's are phenomenal. Maybe go to a different shop and have them check the alternator, starter, battery again for you to get another opinion. That's what I did and I'm glad I didn't go running to the stealership asking for a new ($495) alternator to be installed haha.
I'd try that first, see how it runs the next couple of days.
It would also depend on where you live in the US, i.e. if you were in the NW where its now winter time and gets super cold at night, those early morning, or anytime for that matter, starts could get worse. And the time when you least expect/need the battery to quit, it will haha.

I know I was rambling, but hopefully that helps a little.....maybe someone else with more experience can chime in....

 

[mac777daddy]

The Panasonic battery is original and my 4runner is a 2004. I am going to go by the dealership today. Toyota said they will test the battery for free. Hopefully just a bad batter worse case.

 

[Whitebeauty]

If you r gonna get any battery i would recommend a gel type. I have an Optima in mine. Its just knowing that u have that piece of mind u know. leave your radio on or accessories on for hours and the truck fires right up still. check it out...look into it...

 

[mac777daddy]

I looked at them last night. Cheapest was $140 on Internet but have to wait for it to be shipped to me. Optima in AutoZone are $200+.

 

[Whitebeauty]

yeah ouch...well i guess if u can wait then yeah if not idk maybe get a cheapo for now and go from there.

 

[mac777daddy]

Thanks!!

 

[Sungod]

A bad alternator wouldn't cause those issue right away with a brand new fresh battery. It sounds more like a bad connection. Did they clean the terminals before installing the battery? A weak battery or poor connection will make it run bad. Could even die if you turned on the lights or other power grabbing components at idle. It is possible that the new battery was bad. That happens and more so with Exide batteries.

 

[Whitebeauty]

Thanks!!

Welcome bud.

 

[mac777daddy]

There is some corrosion built up on the negative connector/lead. The autozone guy took a wire brush and got most of it off but some was still present. He put the cloth rings that go around the terminals on the battery also put gel on the terminals after they were connected. He tested his new battery while it was in my 4runner and the tester showed "battery good".

 

[mac777daddy]

Went by Interstate Battery and had them test my original Panasonic battery. Only putting out 220CCA and their machine said "recommend replacing battery". I replaced the Panasonic with a 710CCA Interstate battery and all seems fine now. Thanks for all the responses.!!

 

[snowbrdr033]

Went by Interstate Battery and had them test my original Panasonic battery. Only putting out 220CCA and their machine said "recommend replacing battery". I replaced the Panasonic with a 710CCA Interstate battery and all seems fine now. Thanks for all the responses.!!

Good deal, glad it was only a battery issue rather than something more serious!!!
:whipping2

 

[pipo6007]

I replaced my panisonic battery yesterday and I felt the rough idle for a while so i kept turning the car on and off a few times. This morning it did the samething so I was wondering if I purchased the wrong battery. I bought the 27 group and I think some 4 runners come with a 24 group. Not sure if that was the difference. Then I thought maybe my panisonic died because of a bad alternator. Not sure what it is but if it keeps happening I may return the battery I bought from the dealer. Any suggestions?