[clport]

I purchased my 2004 Limited from the original owner in Oregon in 2017. Young family, dad was on the road a lot and he maintained the van extremely well himself so his family wouldn't have trouble while he was away. I've got very detailed records of what he did to the van. They were selling the 2004 to buy a new Sienna. The dad installed a new DieHard Platinum battery in April 2013. I haven't had any problems with the battery until just this last week; never a hiccup at all. I don't drive much anymore and my van sits for a week sometimes between starts. Last Monday (11/28/22) was one of those times. I got in it to go to the grocery store and put the key in to start up as usual and it cranked v-e-r-y slowly. Instead of the normal "OK LET'S GO!", it's was more like, "just give me a minute, ok?" No warning lights on the dashboard came on to indicate anything was out of the ordinary. The always-on headlights didn't dim, either. No weird sounds (clicking, etc) were heard. I went on to the store (20 minute drive) and when I got back in the van to come home it started slowly again, so I drove around for about 30 minutes to charge the battery before going back home. When I looked up the battery's age, I was rather shocked to see how old it was. I right away started looking into new batteries and decided on the same brand since the current one had lasted so long and found it was only available at Advance Auto Parts. Went to that store (30 miles away from my home) and had the young guy test my battery before I bought a new one. Mine tests as good, but his tester says it needs to be recharged. He was hopeless in explaining to me why that might be. So, back home and called my mechanic's shop. They are going through some changes in front-of-shop procedures and now have a young guy there who is like a damn firewall. You can't get past him to speak to anyone with knowledge. Their new procedure seems to be drop your vehicle off at the beginning of the week and they'll "maybe get to it". So, I come to you all here.

Do I just need a new battery? I mean it was really only warrantied for four years and I've gotten six extra. In the time since I purchased the van, I've moved from the lovely PNW to the hellscape that is Texas and the vehicle is not garaged, so it's sat outside in two very hot summers. I drive mostly in town and perhaps only once a month do a trip to the big city 30 miles away. Another consideration is that I plan to move to Denver next summer (2023) and I want to get all the needed maintenance done on consumables (tires, brakes, new wipers, etc.) before going. Maybe a new battery should be first on the list.

BTW, if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a single lady who knows just enough about cars to be annoying. I used to be married to a gear-head and I picked up a bit of knowledge from him and I enjoy trying to research issues I run into before heading to the mechanic. I never just turn my vehicle over blindly and say, "fix it". I've learned so much from this forum. I started reading here when I bought my van and have fixed a few things on my own using what I learned here. I need to make a couple of posts about that. So, thanks for all of that help and anything anyone is willing to share about this current issue.

Sorry so long!

 

[Therbi]

Nothing wrong with being thorough but in this case, I wouldnt over think it too much. Its 10 years old and telling you its time to be replaced.

 

[MGB]

10 years for a battery is quite a lot. Probably a good idea to get a new one. Google recent reviews of car batteries and see what Consumer Reports and others recommend. If the new battery starts having any issues in the first week, time to have the alternator checked out. If I remember correctly, places like Advanced Auto Part can run a simple diagnostic test to see if the alternator and starter are still working correctly.

Oh, I live in the Denver area. If you are getting new tires, make sure they are M+S rated (Mud and Snow).

 

[clport]

Nothing wrong with being thorough but in this case, I wouldnt over think it too much. Its 10 years old and telling you its time to be replaced.

Sometimes it really can be simple. I'd rather spend the money on a great battery rather than paying the mechanic to do a bunch of diagnostics just to later tell me I only need a new battery. I appreciate your reply, Therbi. Have a great week!

 

[AndrewS]

I commonly get 10 years out of batteries by topping them off with a trickle charger regularly.

EXCEPT for my Sienna, it EATS batteries. I've looked for electrical leaks and haven't found any. Anyhow, a battery rated for 3 years starts getting worn out after 1 year. I bought the fanciest best AGM extra lrg battery I could find and installed it last week so we will see how it goes.

Yeah, probably just buy a new battery.

 

[clport]

10 years for a battery is quite a lot. Probably a good idea to get a new one. Google recent reviews of car batteries and see what Consumer Reports and others recommend. If the new battery starts having any issues in the first week, time to have the alternator checked out. If I remember correctly, places like Advanced Auto Part can run a simple diagnostic test to see if the alternator and starter are still working correctly.

Oh, I live in the Denver area. If you are getting new tires, make sure they are M+S rated (Mud and Snow).

Yes, I couldn't believe how long the battery had been in there! I think I just needed reassurance about buying a new battery without having a mechanic poke around under the hood first. Thanks for that.

I've been looking at tires for a while and made sure to check the Colorado requirements, but thanks for the heads up. I've got my eye on some nice Bridgestone M+S. I could have used your help when I was replacing the catalytic converter this summer, however. I was certain I needed to use a CO compliant part and that was seriously going to eat into my repair budget. Fortunately, I got a really nice guy on the phone from the emissions office in Denver and he told me not to worry about using a CO compliant part since I wasn't yet a resident. That was a huge relief.

 

[sixto]

Are the battery attachments clear of corrosion? I think you have to remove the air intake snorkel to see the attachments at the starter.

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 203K miles

 

[clport]

I commonly get 10 years out of batteries by topping them off with a trickle charger regularly.

EXCEPT for my Sienna, it EATS batteries. I've looked for electrical leaks and haven't found any. Anyhow, a battery rated for 3 years starts getting worn out after 1 year. I bought the fanciest best AGM extra lrg battery I could find and installed it last week so we will see how it goes.

Yeah, probably just buy a new battery.

I've read a lot of posts this afternoon in the forum of people having the same issue you describe of their Sienna going through batteries. Hopefully, your new AGM will fix the problem.

Like most women, I want the vehicle to start when I get in it and don't want to have to do a lot of extra stuff to make that happen (trickle charger). My van has never let me down and I don't want it to, so a new battery will be going into it this week. Thanks for your reply.

 

[clport]

Are the battery attachments clear of corrosion? I think you have to remove the air intake snorkel to see the attachments at the starter.

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 203K miles

Yes, they are clean. I had the catalytic converter on the radiator side replaced in September and I think they take that big air intake thing right on top in the middle of the engine off to get to that cat, right? Anyway, while they were under there, I asked them to check my battery, cables, starter attachments, alternator, whatever else they could get to easily since I was about to go on a short trip. The van has been in the shop for varous things about four times during this year and they have had ample opportunity to visually inspect nearly every component under the hood. Despite my irritation at the shop's new front-of-house set up, I do trust the Toyota mechanic there and he's the one who always works on my van. Thanks for your reply, Sixto.

 

[bencahill]

I commonly get 10 years out of batteries by topping them off with a trickle charger regularly.

That's really good. Would you mind clarifying on how often "regularly" is? Monthly, quarterly, etc. Also, are there any brands you like or dislike?

Thanks.

 

[AndrewS]

I've read a lot of posts this afternoon in the forum of people having the same issue you describe of their Sienna going through batteries. Hopefully, your new AGM will fix the problem.

Like most women, I want the vehicle to start when I get in it and don't want to have to do a lot of extra stuff to make that happen (trickle charger). My van has never let me down and I don't want it to, so a new battery will be going into it this week. Thanks for your reply.

I don't like to throw parts at a problem, but 10 years is a good run, so makes sense to start there.

 

[AndrewS]

That's really good. Would you mind clarifying on how often "regularly" is? Monthly, quarterly, etc. Also, are there any brands you like or dislike?

Thanks.

Yes, all my batteries quarterly, unless the battery has been run down. In my case, the Sienna is used at a farmers market 1x/week with door constantly open for 6 hours, so topped off after each market.

 

[sixto]

Not that it matters but I’m pretty sure the front cat can be replaced without touching the air cleaner.

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 203K miles

 

[BillG]

I would get yourself one of these (or similar): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MPXGSGN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's simple to use and gives to a good/bad on the battery, charging volts for the alternator and a few other elements. $30 would have saved you that 30 mile trip. Slow cranking may mean that your battery won't hold a charge OR it may mean that it isn't being adequately charged. You can tell which one with a simple tester (or a multimeter, if you have one). Being 10 years old, a battery replacement is in order because it WILL fail when you're 30 miles from anywhere on a day when the weather is miserable and you absolutely have to be somewhere by a specific time 20 minutes ago. However, you might find, if your alternator is marginal, it can't keep up with the load demands.

 

[BillG]

I should add... Since you know enough to know what you're looking at, just pop the hood and grab each terminal (ONE AT A TIME! ⚡⚡⚡) and give the terminal connector a wiggle just to make sure they're both tight. You'd be surprised how often highly experienced service techs forget to final-tight them.

 

[BillG]

I commonly get 10 years out of batteries by topping them off with a trickle charger regularly.

EXCEPT for my Sienna, it EATS batteries. I've looked for electrical leaks and haven't found any. Anyhow, a battery rated for 3 years starts getting worn out after 1 year. I bought the fanciest best AGM extra lrg battery I could find and installed it last week so we will see how it goes.

Yeah, probably just buy a new battery.

That sounds like you're frying the battery, from over charging, I would guess. You may have a bad alternator or some other element in the charging circuit. OR the regular trickle charging equipment is faulty and only damages the Sienna battery for some reason.

 

[sixto]

There were Black Friday/cyber Monday deals on compact jump start devices. Even regular price isn’t unreasonable for peace of mind. NOCO brand was recommended to me but I have no personal experience. They’re not foolproof! They will do damage if you hook them up backward.

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 293K miles

 

[BillG]

There were Black Friday/cyber Monday deals on compact jump start devices. Even regular price isn’t unreasonable for peace of mind. NOCO brand was recommended to me but I have no personal experience. They’re not foolproof! They will do damage if you hook them up backward.

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 293K miles

Most of them actually have smarts in them so they actually WON'T do damage thanks to the miracle of modern electronics and super-inexpensive intelligent charge controllers. One thing I can say about them is that you shouldn't believe them. I have a li-ion jump pack which is supposedly 400 cranking amps suitable for an I4 or a small V6. It couldn't start a little sub-compact. I have one that is 600 cranking amps supposedly suitable for small V8s. It couldn't start the Sienna or my wife's 3-series BMW. Both clipped onto the battery terminals were able to jump it from dead, though. This past prime day, I bought one which asserts 2000 cranking amps, but I have yet to try it. I usually bring two on any long road trip plus jumper cables, as a belt and suspenders kind of approach.

 

[MTAtech]

I purchased my 2004 Limited from the original owner in Oregon in 2017. Young family, dad was on the road a lot and he maintained the van extremely well himself so his family wouldn't have trouble while he was away. I've got very detailed records of what he did to the van. They were selling the 2004 to buy a new Sienna. The dad installed a new DieHard Platinum battery in April 2013. I haven't had any problems with the battery until just this last week; never a hiccup at all. I don't drive much anymore and my van sits for a week sometimes between starts. Last Monday (11/28/22) was one of those times. I got in it to go to the grocery store and put the key in to start up as usual and it cranked v-e-r-y slowly. Instead of the normal "OK LET'S GO!", it's was more like, "just give me a minute, ok?" No warning lights on the dashboard came on to indicate anything was out of the ordinary. The always-on headlights didn't dim, either. No weird sounds (clicking, etc) were heard. I went on to the store (20 minute drive) and when I got back in the van to come home it started slowly again, so I drove around for about 30 minutes to charge the battery before going back home. When I looked up the battery's age, I was rather shocked to see how old it was. I right away started looking into new batteries and decided on the same brand since the current one had lasted so long and found it was only available at Advance Auto Parts. Went to that store (30 miles away from my home) and had the young guy test my battery before I bought a new one. Mine tests as good, but his tester says it needs to be recharged. He was hopeless in explaining to me why that might be. So, back home and called my mechanic's shop. They are going through some changes in front-of-shop procedures and now have a young guy there who is like a damn firewall. You can't get past him to speak to anyone with knowledge. Their new procedure seems to be drop your vehicle off at the beginning of the week and they'll "maybe get to it". So, I come to you all here.

Do I just need a new battery? I mean it was really only warrantied for four years and I've gotten six extra. In the time since I purchased the van, I've moved from the lovely PNW to the hellscape that is Texas and the vehicle is not garaged, so it's sat outside in two very hot summers. I drive mostly in town and perhaps only once a month do a trip to the big city 30 miles away. Another consideration is that I plan to move to Denver next summer (2023) and I want to get all the needed maintenance done on consumables (tires, brakes, new wipers, etc.) before going. Maybe a new battery should be first on the list.

BTW, if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a single lady who knows just enough about cars to be annoying. I used to be married to a gear-head and I picked up a bit of knowledge from him and I enjoy trying to research issues I run into before heading to the mechanic. I never just turn my vehicle over blindly and say, "fix it". I've learned so much from this forum. I started reading here when I bought my van and have fixed a few things on my own using what I learned here. I need to make a couple of posts about that. So, thanks for all of that help and anything anyone is willing to share about this current issue.

Sorry so long!

This is the link to Consumer Reports ratings of batteries. You probably need to be a subscriber (recommended) to see them.

Car Battery Ratings & Reviews - Consumer Reports

No one tests car batteries like we do. Get ratings, pricing, and performance for all the latest models based on the features you care about.

www.consumerreports.org

I ordinarily suggest getting a new battery at Costco, but they don't install them, just sell them. If you can't do it yourself, your service station is the place to go.

 

[siennatx]

I purchased my 2004 Limited from the original owner in Oregon in 2017. Young family, dad was on the road a lot and he maintained the van extremely well himself so his family wouldn't have trouble while he was away. I've got very detailed records of what he did to the van. They were selling the 2004 to buy a new Sienna. The dad installed a new DieHard Platinum battery in April 2013. I haven't had any problems with the battery until just this last week; never a hiccup at all. I don't drive much anymore and my van sits for a week sometimes between starts. Last Monday (11/28/22) was one of those times. I got in it to go to the grocery store and put the key in to start up as usual and it cranked v-e-r-y slowly. Instead of the normal "OK LET'S GO!", it's was more like, "just give me a minute, ok?" No warning lights on the dashboard came on to indicate anything was out of the ordinary. The always-on headlights didn't dim, either. No weird sounds (clicking, etc) were heard. I went on to the store (20 minute drive) and when I got back in the van to come home it started slowly again, so I drove around for about 30 minutes to charge the battery before going back home. When I looked up the battery's age, I was rather shocked to see how old it was. I right away started looking into new batteries and decided on the same brand since the current one had lasted so long and found it was only available at Advance Auto Parts. Went to that store (30 miles away from my home) and had the young guy test my battery before I bought a new one. Mine tests as good, but his tester says it needs to be recharged. He was hopeless in explaining to me why that might be. So, back home and called my mechanic's shop. They are going through some changes in front-of-shop procedures and now have a young guy there who is like a damn firewall. You can't get past him to speak to anyone with knowledge. Their new procedure seems to be drop your vehicle off at the beginning of the week and they'll "maybe get to it". So, I come to you all here.

Do I just need a new battery? I mean it was really only warrantied for four years and I've gotten six extra. In the time since I purchased the van, I've moved from the lovely PNW to the hellscape that is Texas and the vehicle is not garaged, so it's sat outside in two very hot summers. I drive mostly in town and perhaps only once a month do a trip to the big city 30 miles away. Another consideration is that I plan to move to Denver next summer (2023) and I want to get all the needed maintenance done on consumables (tires, brakes, new wipers, etc.) before going. Maybe a new battery should be first on the list.

BTW, if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a single lady who knows just enough about cars to be annoying. I used to be married to a gear-head and I picked up a bit of knowledge from him and I enjoy trying to research issues I run into before heading to the mechanic. I never just turn my vehicle over blindly and say, "fix it". I've learned so much from this forum. I started reading here when I bought my van and have fixed a few things on my own using what I learned here. I need to make a couple of posts about that. So, thanks for all of that help and anything anyone is willing to share about this current issue.

Sorry so long!

10 years on battery is borrowed time = new battery. I just replaced my 2004 Sienna battery yesterday after a little over 8 years. It worked fine the whole time. Then went to start and it would barely start. Drove to Walmart and got Everstart Maxx 24F replacement. Van would barely start only once more. Sometimes you get a lot of warning, sometimes hardly any. Replace it while it is easy instead of breaking down somewhere inconvenient.