Art Bell Moment?

Today my 2015 SR5 wouldn't start. The battery was dead. I'd driven the truck in the morning including starting it twice. No issue noted from the idiot lights or the computer. I backed into the drive shut the truck off and started PMing it for a road trip. I always drive w/ the lights on, relying on the truck's brain to shut them off. I was in & out, opening & closing windows and all 4 doors starting up and shutting down. Walked away for 20 min came back, turned the key & nothing...

Then, I charged the battery and it cranked but wouldn't fire. I cranked it twice normally and the third time I just held the key for about the time for 3 or 4 cold starts. It caught and ran fine. I let it run till the batt was up then shut it off w/ the lights on. Set a timer for 5 min. Checked and all lights were off. Truck started and ran fine.

The only thing I can figure is with all the activity in the morning I somehow fooled the brain into believing a door was never opened. That caused the lights to stay on and drain the batt. My only guess on the starting issue is maybe somehow the fuel pump/line had to come to pressure & flow.

Strange, though... Never had that happen before.

 

Check your battery terminals.

-Loosen and remove terminal clamps
-Thoroughly clean and scrub terminal studs and clamps
-Reapply terminal clamps and ensure tightness
-Profit

99% of these 5th gen electrical gremlins end up being loose or dirty battery terminals. They are very temperamental.

If you do not do this first than you are chasing ghosts.

 

Terminals are clean and tight. Batt is 18 months old. After sitting 8 hrs, started normally. Started normally this morning...

 

How is this a “Art Bell” moment?

 

Aliens caused it.

 

Did you happen to check the "resting battery voltage" before charging the battery to get an idea of the state of charge?

 

Since it wouldn't even try to turn over but did after charging the batt voltage was low. Truck has run well, started well and all delayed shutdowns are working. No problems today.