I've been over at some of the 'suburban' sites and didn't get a good vibe. So, I'm here to see if the Tahoe/Yukon folks would be willing to help me sort things out.
My dad died.
I now have his 2003 Green Suburban.
My current problems:
1. Rear power windows on both sides do not go down or up- local switch or driver switch makes no difference. Am going to try bypassing with portable battery tomorrow.
2. A/C controls in the overhead area kept falling out so my dad disconnected the controls and they are sitting in a basket in the backseat. I need a way to keep them from 'walking' out of the plastic housing in the ceiling. Dad's solution of black mastic just made a huge mess and when it heats up in the summer the controls just vibrate back out of the housing.
3. Packrats completely filled the blower motor for the A/C with acorns. Gross! I finally got blower motor out and all acorns removed, but there is a 'thrum' sound when I have the blower on setting 3-4-or 5. At least it is cooling and blowing air now.
4. My dad backed into a tree and crushed a 1 foot by 10 inch area just outside the rear passenger side backup light. I look like I'm an idiot driver and folks comment on my 'beauty mark'.
5. Both front seats have cushion showing through the busted leather. Dad's solution was duct tape -- in silver so it would sort of match the gray leather. (head smack- what was he thinking?)
What I've fixed:
1. A/C blows cold air!!! Added R134 and cleaned the acorns out of the blower motor.
2. Rats had chewed some wiring on fuel injector. I went dumpster diving at the local repair shop and clipped a couple of replacement injectors from an old harness. Spliced in a new injector. Works fine and I have a backup if needed.
3. Rats also chewed the ground wire from the rear of the motor up to the body ground location. I added a new ground wire from the engine block (rear) up to the front of the cowling. Couldn't get my hands into where the old wire was grounding on the body.
4. Had a mechanic drain the gas tank and replace the sending unit in the gas tank as well as the fuel filter. The tank was completely full of gas. Saved the gas and it started up.
5. Spent 21 days chasing wiring gremlin that was causing anti-theft device to prevent start-up. On day 22 my anti-theft by-pass module, wire replacement, and ground wire cleanup allowed me to start the beast with the key again.
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I'll get pictures of the vehicle and more info on the details of the engine if that's helpful.
If this isn't the type of forum where I can get basic questions answered, just say and I'll go elsewhere.
I already know I'm a girl.
I already know I'm a Texan.
I already know I am asking newbie/basic questions.
I already know I could replace this with a newer vehicle.. but this is the last thing I have of my dad's (other than his old dog).
I'd appreciate any guidance/recommendations.
JW
Sorry for your loss and welcome to the site. Sounds like you've done a pretty good job already for a newbie. I've been on this site for awhile, but don't post much, because I don't know much. I have found this site and the people on it to be extremely helpful. I'm not that mechanically inclined, so I sort through the info and only tackle the easy items myself. However, even when I hire out the more challenging work, it's good to have some knowledge on your side.
I have a 2003 Yukon XL and have experienced some of the same things you have. Here are a few of my experiences:
After a recent camping trip, I heard a thumping noise coming from the A/C blower motor. It was still working and I needed the A/C, so it was a few days before I had a chance to look at it. When I opened it up, I found a dead mouse that had its teeth sunk into one of the fan blades and was plastered to the side of the fan. What a ride!! After removal, my fan is still a little louder than it used to be, so I'll open it back up for a better cleaning as was suggested here.
When I purchased the truck, the drivers side seat was worn with the cushion showing too. I bought a replacement bottom cover and cushion only and replaced them. The online company I purchased it from had really good youtube videos to show how to do it. It looks like new, but it was leather and fairly expensive. I replaced the seat heater element at the time too, since it wasn't working and I read that was common. That didn't fix it though, so I have a little more work to do there.
Electrical gremlins are common and so frustrating! I ended up buying a jump pack and installing a second battery because I couldn't find the parasitic draw on my rig. Obviously, that didn't solve the problem, but kept me from getting stranded. I didn't have 21 days to look for the problem, so I finally took it to someone that knows the electrical systems on these vehicles very well and told them I would pay them to just go through it, removing anything that didn't belong and fixing all the grounds. They gave me back a large cardboard box full of wires and devices and I haven't had a problem since. It had an aftermarket remote start on it that I didn't even know about. Those are notorius for problems.
Good luck!!
