Prado 120 Non-start: battery or?

[stinkyfj60]

2003 KZTE Automatic Prado 120.

One morning it didn't start. 12.4V on the battery, down to 9.something with the key turned to start. Just a click. Tried to jump start it, but that didn't work. Disconnected the jumper leads and then hit the key out of curiosity and it fired right up like nothing was wrong. It never gave me a problem again until this week. Same systems everyday. The first time, I started to remove the battery, changed my mind (we decided we were going to jump start it instead), put the cables back on and it started again like nothing. Yesterday? Same thing, walked away, came back... Started.

I took it to Battery Clinic Krugersdorp. Battery, cables, starter, alternator checked out fine. No parasitic draw either. Alternator is a little weaker than it should be, but still charging the battery. No problems with it all day. But, after sitting overnight, non-start.

It does have a National Luna dual battery system wired in. The PO took out the second battery, its cables, and the tray, but left the smart solenoid in it.

The battery was at 12.9V when I parked it, 12.4V when I tried to start it.

My guess is a relay problem somewhere? I get a click, but nothing else (all systems have power though).

 

[z00t3ch]

Happened to my previous vehicle, an F150, and it was the starter. Had essentially a "bad spot" where the solenoid would click and everything but no rotation from the starter motor. Try it again later, BOOM - fine. Tap on it with a hammer, sometimes worked. Replaced it right away, no further issues.

 

[stinkyfj60]

I didn't suspect the starter because it only happened when it sat at the house overnight. We leave it parked for hours every weekend and it always starts. Same with camping.

Couple of taps on the starter housing and off we went.

It's at an electrical shop right now getting rebuilt.

 

[GXO]

I had the same thing happen on my 1FZJ80. Starter had some bad brushes and would hit a dead spot randomly. Tap with a hammer and boom. Ended up full dead at an offroad park in Alabama and got a napa starter and field swapped it.