Clicking Noise and Drained Battery

[alleghenyman]

I'm on vacation. I went out to the truck this morning and the battery was drained. The factory alarm light was blinking and there was a steady clicking under the hood. It was coming from the left side of the engine where the fuses are. It sounded different than the starter solenoid and may have been a stuck relay of some kind
(Headlights)?

I am a heavy sleeper and went to bed pretty tipsy but I don't think the alarm went off as someone in the house probably would have woken me. No headlights or interior lights were left on

The battery is a 480 amp Volkswagen battery - I had it tested and it checked out fine and I'm thinking I'll keep it because the OEM battery in my old VW lasted 9 years.

Any idea what the problem is? I wanted to disable the alarm but there is no fuse.

 

[KidVermicious]

Until somebody comes in and knows what they're talking about, you could try pulling fuses until the clicking goes away. That'll get you in the ball park at least.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Try jumping it. If it starts, the clicking noise was the start solenoid. Let it run for a little while, then drive it around to charge it a bit. Come back, shut it off. See if it restarts and if it does or does not, listen for the noise again. But my money is on the noise being the starter solenoid.

 

[alleghenyman]

Try jumping it. If it starts, the clicking noise was the start solenoid. Let it run for a little while, then drive it around to charge it a bit. Come back, shut it off. See if it restarts and if it does or does not, listen for the noise again. But my money is on the noise being the starter solenoid.

Thanks. It started OK. The starter solenoid clicked rapidly when I tried to start it immediately after I attached the jumpers, before the battery was adequately charged, and it was a higher-pitched noise than what I heard before. What I heard before sounded like a metronome, and was at the pace of the turn signals repeating. Also the alarm light was blinking.

 

[Brian757]

Thanks. It started OK. The starter solenoid clicked rapidly when I tried to start it immediately after I attached the jumpers, before the battery was adequately charged, and it was a higher-pitched noise than what I heard before. What I heard before sounded like a metronome, and was at the pace of the turn signals repeating. Also the alarm light was blinking.

Take a paper clip and make a "U" with it. Pull out the starter solenoid and then unplug battery, poke the paper clip in the connections in the fuse box when the starter solenoid went. If it is still ticking when you try to crank it, that rules out the starter solenoid. By the way, that is not a safe idea. Just take a multimeter and put them where the starter solenoid went. Have someone try to start it. Then gather your voltage.

Although I do think it is your battery.

 

[BrianSD_42]

it is the battery. for sure.

go to Costco and buy a battery. they come with 5 years warranties.

 

[s_dub]

I had this exact same problem happen. My boyfriend drove my 4runner while I was away visiting family and the next day he went outside and sent me a video of this same noise. He charged the battery and there doesn't seem to be any issues since (two days ago). Did you find out what the issue was with yours?

 

[spartacus]

I had this exact same problem happen. My boyfriend drove my 4runner while I was away visiting family and the next day he went outside and sent me a video of this same noise. He charged the battery and there doesn't seem to be any issues since (two days ago). Did you find out what the issue was with yours?

Most likely senario he could have left the overhead light, dome light or back hatch light on either by turning the light on or not completely closing the doors or hatch and the battery got discharged and didn't have enough juice to turn the starter motor and all you could hear was the starter relay clicking.

 

[BamaDrewski]

I'm on vacation. I went out to the truck this morning and the battery was drained. The factory alarm light was blinking and there was a steady clicking under the hood. It was coming from the left side of the engine where the fuses are. It sounded different than the starter solenoid and may have been a stuck relay of some kind
(Headlights)?

I am a heavy sleeper and went to bed pretty tipsy but I don't think the alarm went off as someone in the house probably would have woken me. No headlights or interior lights were left on

The battery is a 480 amp Volkswagen battery - I had it tested and it checked out fine and I'm thinking I'll keep it because the OEM battery in my old VW lasted 9 years.

Any idea what the problem is? I wanted to disable the alarm but there is no fuse.

Not knowing hold old your battery is or if you have "aftermarket" relays in your fuse bank, it is hard to say what is going on....that being said...

I had an issue with my battery mysteriously draining a few years ago. I found out it was the DRL (Daytime Running Light) system. I disconnected the DRL's and the issue disappeared.

With respect to relays and clicking; you can actually put your finger on a relay and "feel" it click. If it does, replace it. I just went through this on a 2000 Ford Expedition and someone had put in a cheap-ass Chinese aftermarket relay for the AC compressor. The real nightmare came when I called the Ford Dealership and because of their "system" it took them two hours to "identify" the correct relay. Thank God we own Toyota's.

Good luck but I would recommend disabling the DRL's and buy TOYOTA relays....hope this helps!

 

[TheDurk]

Please clarify....was the first clicking with key off, or only when you turned the key on? It makes a big difference in how I think about this so I need that answer to say anything.

But, the analytical approach is as follows:

1. Verify battery. Charge it, then load test it, or swap in a known good one.

2. Verify charging. Engine running voltage should be 13.5-14.5 Volts. Key off voltage should be Standard voltage: At 20°C (68°F): 12.7 - 12.9 V

http://www.teamtoyota4x4.org/archivio/1996%20to%202002%20Toyota%204Runner%20Repair%20and%20Wiring%20Manuals/techinfo.toyota.com/ileaf/02toyrm/02toypdf/02rmsour/2002/024runne/ch5vzfe/chasy/ovi.pdf


Then see what happens. Restart immediately, then after 12 hours. If it won't restart after 12 hours, charge battery again, verify start, then leave it disconnected for 12 hours, then reconnect and try again.

Do all that, and either we have fixed it, or we know what to do.

 

[Buckaroo]

I had this exact same problem happen. My boyfriend drove my 4runner while I was away visiting family and the next day he went outside and sent me a video of this same noise. He charged the battery and there doesn't seem to be any issues since (two days ago). Did you find out what the issue was with yours?

This happened to me - clicking occured with key in off position and battery was slightly discharged. Always left the headlight switch in on position and they would turn off when T4R shutdown. Verified clicking was headlight relay and while clicking with key in off position, turned headlight switch to off and clicking stopped. It did not immediately reoccur but I replaced the relay as didn't want to be stranded with a dead battery when it happened again.

Buckaroo

 

[TRDwannabe]

Clicking Noise after Battery Swap

Please clarify....was the first clicking with key off, or only when you turned the key on? It makes a big difference in how I think about this so I need that answer to say anything.

But, the analytical approach is as follows:

1. Verify battery. Charge it, then load test it, or swap in a known good one.

So I accomplished step one (didn't have this clicking prior to swapping the battery, but we are planning a camping trip and figured I needed to replace the old SOB) and now the clicking will come on if I open the door. The clicks will make the brake lights flash too - not the flashers though, I can turn those on and see them in the front and back blinking. Advice?

 

[FrydeskyAtx956]

I seem to be having the same issue. Went outside and heard a clicking noise coming from my truck. Tried to open the truck and the electric locks weren’t working. Popped the hood and the noise seemed to come from the fuse box. Tried turning the vehicle on and I got nothing. Gonna do some more trouble shooting in the morning. 01 4Runner clicking sound coming from fuse box while car is off - YouTube here’s a video of the noise I’m talking about.

 

[Captsolo]

it is the battery. for sure.

go to Costco and buy a battery. they come with 5 years warranties.

don't try rebuilding that solenoid. You will get another year at best. Get a new battery like recommended here and your problem should be gone for 4 years!:gun5:

 

[wkrick]

I seem to be having the same issue. Went outside and heard a clicking noise coming from my truck. Tried to open the truck and the electric locks weren’t working. Popped the hood and the noise seemed to come from the fuse box. Tried turning the vehicle on and I got nothing. Gonna do some more trouble shooting in the morning. 01 4Runner clicking sound coming from fuse box while car is off - YouTube here’s a video of the noise I’m talking about.

Did you ever find a cause/solution for this issue? I have a 2003 Tacoma and the battery completely dies after not being started for a few weeks.

While charging the battery, it makes the clicking sound you describe. It's obviously a relay but I don't know why it's clicking. It seems related to the Toyota factory alarm system but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[TRDwannabe]

Clicking Culprit

Finally caved and took it to a mechanic, resolved the issue by removing the "Security System" - he also replaced the starter and haven't had issues since. Going on a year now of healthy 2002 4Runner driving.