2016 Yukon Denali Intermittent Starting Issues

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Real_Talk

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jan 6, 2025
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
2016 Yukon Denali around 92K Miles. Is having some intermittent starting issues. Issues started about 2-3 months ago, and hasn’t happened since until today.

Issue:
Accessory will turn on (radio, lights, etc) but will not crank or start. Battery is good. This seems to always happen when my wife is driving, so getting the details from her on what happens. All accessories work, because the Bluetooth connects and I talk to her through the car when it’s not starting.

First time it happened, I read the steering wheel lock may be an issue. Had her move the steering wheel (which moved, wasn’t locked) and repeatedly push the brake. She did this several times and it started. She states the brake is hard to push, but I think it’s because she pushes it a few times then it builds pressure so won’t push down anymore.

Same thing happened today, she tried all the steps as above, still would not start. I started heading her way to diagnose, but she kept at it a bit more and it started.

Last time this happened it was hot the day before then cool the day the issue happened. Today it cooled down a lot outside and the issue happened. But every time it has happened, she was able to start the car (being in the garage), maybe run 1-2 errands, then on that third start it will not start.

I feel like it has something to do with the steering control lock, but today the steering was not locked as she was able to move it left and right as much as it would allow.

This is a push button starter, with electric tilt steering wheel.

Any ideas as to what may be causing the issue?

I removed the steering column cover tonight and started/stopped/put into accessory several times. I can hear the steering column lock and feel it engage/disengage. I’m stuck on this steering lock PN 23309449 as the issue, but not sure if it’s even that.
 

Big Mama

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2015
Posts
3,454
Reaction score
2,147
Location
Virginia
Do you have access to a Bidirectional scan tool? This would show you any codes that are stored.
A change in temperature points to a low battery or a bad connection. Have you had the battery load tested? The accessories draw very little power so they may not be a good indicator of battery charge.
 

GMCChevy

Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2024
Posts
96
Reaction score
97
Listen for clicks or any noises when the key is turned to start. If its not a loose connection somewhere it's very common for starters to not do anything when they go bad. Trying a few times like that can sometimes make them move enough to get past the bad point but will do it again the next time the starter motor stops at that spot.
 
Last edited:

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
26,695
Reaction score
40,263
Location
Stockton, Ca.
2016 Yukon Denali around 92K Miles. Is having some intermittent starting issues. Issues started about 2-3 months ago, and hasn’t happened since until today.

Issue:
Accessory will turn on (radio, lights, etc) but will not crank or start. Battery is good. This seems to always happen when my wife is driving, so getting the details from her on what happens. All accessories work, because the Bluetooth connects and I talk to her through the car when it’s not starting.

First time it happened, I read the steering wheel lock may be an issue. Had her move the steering wheel (which moved, wasn’t locked) and repeatedly push the brake. She did this several times and it started. She states the brake is hard to push, but I think it’s because she pushes it a few times then it builds pressure so won’t push down anymore.

Same thing happened today, she tried all the steps as above, still would not start. I started heading her way to diagnose, but she kept at it a bit more and it started.

Last time this happened it was hot the day before then cool the day the issue happened. Today it cooled down a lot outside and the issue happened. But every time it has happened, she was able to start the car (being in the garage), maybe run 1-2 errands, then on that third start it will not start.

I feel like it has something to do with the steering control lock, but today the steering was not locked as she was able to move it left and right as much as it would allow.

This is a push button starter, with electric tilt steering wheel.

Any ideas as to what may be causing the issue?

I removed the steering column cover tonight and started/stopped/put into accessory several times. I can hear the steering column lock and feel it engage/disengage. I’m stuck on this steering lock PN 23309449 as the issue, but not sure if it’s even that.
my first question is how old is the battery? these trucks really do not like low voltage, when the voltage gets low they do all kinds of weird crap A~Z
 

Forum statistics

Threads
133,012
Posts
1,878,415
Members
97,964
Latest member
GoPadge
Top