Luisfc1972

couldnt find electronics etc. forum so im posting here.

i have a 2006 scion tc around 2 years old with stock battery.

this has happened to me a couple of times.

i stall on first or second gear and so car needs to be restarted. but again today it wouldnt start so i had to get a jump. i hope its the battery and not the alternator. what do you guys think might be the problem?

ack154

iTrader: (7)

Sounds like alternator to me... it should be charging the battery back up for you. If you want to take if out, you could take it to autozone and have them test it for you.

I have a 2005 tC that is now over 4 yrs old and I'm still on stock battery.

draxcaliber

while waiting for tires to be mounted and balanced at merchants, i read the charts on their wall about batteries, and it says they should last up to over 4 years. depends on where you live and conditions of operation to determine how long it will last. (hotter climates shorten battery life)

i have a 2005 with just under 70k miles, i've owned it sine 11/04 and i still have the original battery and it works fine so far. there is an indicator on the battery that tells you if it needs anything.

Luisfc1972

ill take it to autozone and have them check the battery out. if its the alternator would that be under warranty? i bought an extended warranty

ack154

iTrader: (7)

Yes, I believe the alternator should be covered under warranty.

You could actually just take it to the dealer then, if you have extended warranty. They'd be able to tell you which is bad and then just replace it. Not sure if the battery is covered, but you'd be paying either way.

firesquare

my battery lasted almost 5 years in my xB. it wouldnt turn over one day after running the radio on accessory for 5 minutes. i knew it would happen soon. i just picked up an Auto Zone battery. i don't need that cool battery everybody has because i know the life span of a battery is only so long anyways.

alternator is covered under warranty. if the readout AT Toyota says it has a bad diode or something like that.they may charge you a diagnostic fee. a Toyota battery (i think Panasonic) is as good as any other battery. and they have a decent warranty too i think.

Yanki01

same here, still running strong with a small audio system and HID retro.

CarbonXe

iTrader: (1)

Where do you live? Batteries don't exactly last long in hotter regions. I know some people who needed to change their batteries every 1-2 years in Arizona.

Luisfc1972

i live in los angeles but its not as hot as arizona. im due for an oil change so i think ill take it to the dealer where i bought the car, as well as extended warranty papers and have them check it out.

CarbonXe

iTrader: (1)

Yea, it should be good for 4+ in LA. Sounds like either the alternator or some parasitic drain.

O5_TRD_tC

I just had to replace mine 2 months ago. (2005 tC)

It could of lasts a lot longer but my car sits for weeks at times and the navi and edfc just drains all the juice!

engifineer

Same one since Oct 2004 here. Even with MN winters it has never even hesitated to turn the car over. I would check your alternator.

nodsetse

Sometimes the indicator will say it's bad when there isn't a problem, but that's certainly the first place the OP should check.

Since new (>3yrs ago) mine has indicated the battery is bad, but I've never had any issue with it, even with a bi-amped audio system.

As others have indicated, how long a battery lasts is dependent on many things. That said, I've had some that lasted over 10yrs, with others failing in less than 3.

BZinn1

they last 2-4 years depending on where you live temperature wise.Super hot areas they will die off very fast,super cold areas they will lose charge fast but last normal amount of time if started daily and driven.

Under the extended warrenty the alternator is covered amazingly enough,but if it is not it can be gotten at Autozone for less than dealership and put in in under an hour for a beginner......it is like 2 bolts......very easy.

Ace83

iTrader: (6)

Im still on stock batteries 3 years and 7 months,,, i live on hot tx climate,, i dont have too much heavy electronics though,,
I have afr gauge, oil pressure gauge, boost gauge/controller, EDCF, Nav system, fog lights, quad xenon HIDs, radar detector, scangauge, hydraems..

interesting to know whats the average lifespan though, i just want to be ready so i can buy a spare small battery and not stuck with the big ones just coz its the only one available when the oem goes

g2autosports

I still have the original battery, I bought my car back in July of 2004, I used to have an Amp hooked up, but not anymore, but even then it was fine.

garabaldy

did you ever find out what the problem was? I'm having the same issue but I had my battery tested and it passed. Charging system not charging and I replaced the alternator.

g2autosports

Well 4 months later and my battery finally died, that's what I get for talking too soon lol.......its still lasted me 5 years, not bad.

toeveryhour

iTrader: (3)

mine lasted for about a year and a half... 20,000 miles or so. toyota replaced it under warranty. so regardless what it is, it's probably covered considering you have the extended warranty.

engifineer

5 years on the stock battery this October for me. And that is in Minnesota winter temps.

Someone mentioned buying an alternator at autozone... I wouldnt. Their parts are cheap for a reason. My fathers shop and a few others I know of wont honor any warranty on autozone parts ... and that is if you can talk them into using them at all. And from what I remember he has seen the worst performance out of their alternators.