Posted 2006-10-16 11:58 AM (#50143) Subject: 1999 Tahoe, problem?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 301 Location: Catoctin Mtn, Maryland
Not sure if I am allowed to ask this question but I'm stuck....here goes
Tahoe starts. Then doesn't. The garage has replaced everything but the kitchen sink. Don't think they know what the heck the problem is.
When we go to start it we hear alot "clicking" sounds underneath the dashboard area. They have replaced the iginition assembly, did some other stupid stuff, they say it is not the alternator, battery or starter etc. So far about $1,600 dollars worth of repairs, same problem. Doesn't happen every day. Which makes it worse. This morning it started fine, husband shut it off, 10 minutes later went to start it and no luck. We know it's gonna have to go to the dealer.......yuk! But I was just wondering if anyone has had this problem or might give a suggestion. Maybe we could pass it on to our mechanic..........
We use to pull our bumper pull with the tahoe........just thought I'd throw that into the mix, in hopes you all don't tell me to go fly a horse somwhere else.
Posted 2006-10-16 12:33 PM (#50145 - in reply to #50143) Subject: RE: 1999 Tahoe, problem?
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by windwalker2 on 2006-10-16 11:58 AM
Not sure if I am allowed to ask this question but I'm stuck....here goes
Tahoe starts. Then doesn't. The garage has replaced everything but the kitchen sink. Don't think they know what the heck the problem is.
When we go to start it we hear alot "clicking" sounds underneath the dashboard area. They have replaced the iginition assembly, did some other stupid stuff, they say it is not the alternator, battery or starter etc. So far about $1,600 dollars worth of repairs, same problem. Doesn't happen every day. Which makes it worse. This morning it started fine, husband shut it off, 10 minutes later went to start it and no luck. We know it's gonna have to go to the dealer.......yuk! But I was just wondering if anyone has had this problem or might give a suggestion. Maybe we could pass it on to our mechanic..........
We use to pull our bumper pull with the tahoe........just thought I'd throw that into the mix, in hopes you all don't tell me to go fly a horse somwhere else.
Thanks
I'll give it a try (-:
The "clicking" is probably the contactor (whether an external "starter relay" or internal to the starter) making the circuit.
The PROBLEM is likely to be a high resistance SOMEWHERE in the starter circuit.
I'd start with a battery terminal cleaning, then slime them up with vaseline. Then I'd work on the connections to the starter itself and the ground wires, both battery to engine block and starter ground.
Have the battery's ground wire disconnected while you do this and follow the rule of; "Disconnect ground wire FIRST, re-connect ground wire LAST."
BTW, "high resistance" could also apply to the battery itself, although supposedly that has been eliminated.
Gee, that could be a NICE $1,600 - I just wish you lived nearer to me (-:
Posted 2006-10-16 12:47 PM (#50147 - in reply to #50143) Subject: RE: 1999 Tahoe, problem?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 671 Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY)
I have seen this problem with a bad ground wire,never assume that because it looks good that it is.
The clicking is something tring to work but not quite getting it done.
I use a tester that checks battery cca and tells if it is up to the task.It also checks starter and alternator function.Great tool ! saves Me a lot of money.
I would like he said check all connections,check starter bolts,they could be loose, I would use a push button switch and check directly to the starter, if that let it engage and crank,if it did then it may be a relay bad.Or wires from relay.
Posted 2006-10-16 1:22 PM (#50149 - in reply to #50143) Subject: RE: 1999 Tahoe, problem?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 671 Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY)
Something else to think about are the battery cables or the battery itself. So, "when" this happens again, turn the headlights on. If they come on try to start and if they go off and you get the starter click it's more than likley one or both of the cables or the battery. Lots of posts about the cable connections at the battery being weak. Also you can watch the volt meter(if you have one) for the same symptoms
You need to test it on the truck when hot. Cold off the truck does not tell you much. Check and test when hot and after a heat soak. Make sure battery cables and grounds and battery is good. Then see if it is getting 12 volts on small purple wire going to starter solenoid. If so And does not start or just clicks. The starter or solenoid or starter is bad. A bad starter solenoid will fail hot. May not show up on a cold test.
This may also be the relay under the hood,check manual for location.
If all else fails......trade in time.
My 01 ford diesel was doing this,turned out the starter solenoid was dirty and when I cleaned it and lubed it,that took care of the problem.
Posted 2006-10-16 2:20 PM (#50154 - in reply to #50143) Subject: RE: 1999 Tahoe, problem?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
On GM products you will need to take the positive off first. If you don't you will trip the radio theft mode for the radio(will not come on). If you do kick it into theft mode you will have to call the dealer to get the code to unlock it. I take the negative off first always except on a GM product. You just have to be careful not to touch any metal with your wrench and cause a short.
Posted 2006-10-16 3:00 PM (#50160 - in reply to #50143) Subject: RE: 1999 Tahoe, problem?
Expert
Posts: 2960 Location: North Carolina
I just had a similar problem... Thought it was all sorts of dire and expensive problems.
The battery had a terminal break inside the case. When I went to change the battery, the terminal came off in my hand. The battery showed fully charged, It produced full voltage. It just couldn't deliver the full amps needed to start the engine. Even with jumper cables !!
Posted 2006-10-16 7:38 PM (#50173 - in reply to #50160) Subject: RE: 1999 Tahoe, problem?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
Originally written by hosspuller on 2006-10-16 7:00 PM
I just had a similar problem... Thought it was all sorts of dire and expensive problems.
The battery had a terminal break inside the case. When I went to change the battery, the terminal came off in my hand. The battery showed fully charged, It produced full voltage. It just couldn't deliver the full amps needed to start the engine. Even with jumper cables !!
Be careful with car batteries. When something gets loose inside they can short and explode. I have seen it happen before. Make sure to reuse the protective cover if you have one. This normally helps keep it from coming back in your face. Battery acid and eyes don't mix.
Posted 2006-10-16 10:36 PM (#50182 - in reply to #50143) Subject: RE: 1999 Tahoe, problem?
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
I had that problem with an old ford truck. It turned out the solenoid wires were bad. One had a bare spot and was rubbing on the inside of the wheel well.