Weird starting issues/possible alarm problem

[fblainen11]

So, I get in my 01 today and the wife asks me to stop at lowes on the way home. Car starts with no issues. When I get out of lowes I go to start it and it makes a weird clicking noise and the alarm goes off.

It won't start. Just a click when I turn the key. I took the battery cable off the terminal and put it back on. The alarm goes off again and I turn it off using my remote.

Again try to start it, click, no start, and alarm goes off again.


Any insight? I'm getting my multimeter and heading back to lowes soon. Just replaced the alternator about 3 months ago and have had no issues.

 

[Diezel]

Could be any number of things. Is this an aftermarket or Factory alarm ?

 

[fblainen11]

Could be any number of things. Is this an aftermarket or Factory alarm ?

Factory I believe. My key fob has a Toyota logo on it.

 

[fblainen11]

Multi meter gives me 12v on the battery.

 

[fblainen11]

This is the booklet and fob.

 

[fblainen11]

Battery is fine.

 

[alumarine]

12 volts isn't fine.
Should be 12.6.

Did you load test the battery?

 

[Diezel]

12 volts isn't fine.
Should be 12.6.

Did you load test the battery?

This. Start here, and work away from the battery. 12.0vdc as resting voltage is too low. Minimum for a fully charged battery would be 12.8vdc. Would be best to see 12.6vdc+ at rest.

 

[fblainen11]

12 volts isn't fine.
Should be 12.6.

Did you load test the battery?

[MENTION=126883]Diezel[/MENTION]
Yes, I took the battery out and to Autozone and got it load tested.

I'm wondering if it's my starter. This is just a theory, but would it make sense if the starter isn't working, the there's a sudden drop and uptick in voltage and that's what's making my alarm go off when the voltage comes back up?

I know if I disconnect my battery, when it is connected again the alarm goes off.

Could that be a possible explanation?

 

[Diezel]

[MENTION=126883]Diezel[/MENTION]
Yes, I took the battery out and to Autozone and got it load tested.

I'm wondering if it's my starter. This is just a theory, but would it make sense if the starter isn't working, the there's a sudden drop and uptick in voltage and that's what's making my alarm go off when the voltage comes back up?

I know if I disconnect my battery, when it is connected again the alarm goes off.

Could that be a possible explanation?

FWIW: I don't trust Autozone, or any other "Parts" store to diagnose equipment.

Your theory, would end with one of three possibilities (that I can think of).

1: Bad Battery - Dropping voltage too low @ crank of starter.
2: Bad Starter - Placing too large of an amperage draw on the system - You would most likely also notice other issues. Slow cranking speed, a hot electrical smell, etc.
3: Wiring problem that is hidden thus far, and would take quite a bit to diagnose.

With a resting battery voltage below 12.9vdc *(a fully charged car battery). I'm more inclined to believe you have a bad battery.

 

[fblainen11]

FWIW: I don't trust Autozone, or any other "Parts" store to diagnose equipment.

Your theory, would end with one of three possibilities (that I can think of).

1: Bad Battery - Dropping voltage too low @ crank of starter.
2: Bad Starter - Placing too large of an amperage draw on the system - You would most likely also notice other issues. Slow cranking speed, a hot electrical smell, etc.
3: Wiring problem that is hidden thus far, and would take quite a bit to diagnose.

With a resting battery voltage below 12.9vdc *(a fully charged car battery). I'm more inclined to believe you have a bad battery.

So how do I diagnose a bad battery?

Edit: My father in law and I are on the way now to look at it. I'll put the battery back and jump it.
If the jump starts it then it's more than likely battery, correct?

 

[fblainen11]

Put battery back in. Cranked and it started right up cold start with no jump.

What the hell?
Is the starter going bad? I've read when they start to go bad they don't work when hot. Any truth to that?

 

[fblainen11]

So far I've had about 7 more starts and not had a single issue.

What in the world would have caused that?

I'm thinking about disabling the alarm.