HELP - Intermittent Electrical Issues

Oh four Tahoe · Sep 10, 2024

Hi everyone!!

My Tahoe completely shut off on me while driving the other day. I disconnected the battery and reconnected it and it started right back up. Now from time to time it will start up slow and then when it starts the right side of the dash board doesn’t work. The AC and power windows don’t work and my back up camera stays on. The dome lights also stay on during this time.I have to disconnect the battery multiple times and then it will work for a few days and then happen again. Do I need a new battery? Ground wire? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Oh four Tahoe · Sep 10, 2024

Few pictures

TollKeeper · Sep 10, 2024

Sounds like either a ignition switch has gone south, or a faulty ground.

The ignition switch is a common failure, and easy to replace. I dont recommend using a Dorman, try to find a ACDelco, or a Delphi branded.

Fless · Sep 10, 2024

Define "start up slow." Slow crank (turning over)? Good crank but long crank before it fires up and runs? Runs like crap initially but smooths out within a minute or so?

OR VietVet · Sep 10, 2024

What @TollKeeper said but let's start with the basics. How old is the battery? Dirty, loose, corroded battery connections/cable ends? Condition of the battery? Charges ok and stands up to a load test? After charging, test voltage and should hold/be at, at least, 12.6 to 12.8 volts and then load test.

Oh four Tahoe · Sep 10, 2024

Fless said:
Define "start up slow." Slow crank (turning over)? Good crank but long crank before it fires up and runs? Runs like crap initially but smooths out within a minute or so?

Slow cranks and then fires up. If it does the slow crank then it will do all the things stayed above. If it starts up normal everything will run great.

Oh four Tahoe · Sep 10, 2024

OR VietVet said:
What @TollKeeper said but let's start with the basics. How old is the battery? Dirty, loose, corroded battery connections/cable ends? Condition of the battery? Charges ok and stands up to a load test? After charging, test voltage and should hold/be at, at least, 12.6 to 12.8 volts and then load test.

Battery is 4 years old. Clean cable ends. Battery condition is good but 4 years old. Just noticed with everything running and holding the window switches up the batter drops significantly

OR VietVet · Sep 10, 2024

Oh four Tahoe said:
Battery is 4 years old. Clean cable ends. Battery condition is good but 4 years old. Just noticed with everything running and holding the window switches up the batter drops significantly

How do you know battery condition is good? Did you open up the cable insulation, close to the cable ends and look for corrosion?

Fless · Sep 10, 2024

Let me see if I understand this:

At times the engine cranks (turns) over at a good speed, then it fires up and runs.
Other times the crank speed is slow, then it takes a longer cranking time to fire up and run. Does that describe it?

I would suggest disconnecting the battery, using a good battery charger on it, then having it load tested. The battery is old enough to be suspect and the symptoms point to a dead or compromised internal cell, bad battery cables, or both.

And as @OR VietVet noted, the battery cables can rot from the inside out, but can look fine on the ends.

Doubeleive · Sep 10, 2024

voltage drop test to starter 10.5v is no good

ground test to starter

if both pass then probably fried starter
pull it and bench test, but that would have no load so ??? might not show symptoms
but there is really no reason for a slow crank if voltage and ground is solid, the starter is it's own beast unless the motor is seizing up

HELP - Intermittent Electrical Issues

Oh four Tahoe

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Oh four Tahoe

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TollKeeper

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Fless

OR VietVet

Multnomah Falls

Oh four Tahoe

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Oh four Tahoe

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OR VietVet

Multnomah Falls

Fless

Doubeleive

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