2016 Yukon Denali Intermittent Starting Issues

[Real_Talk]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Doubeleive]

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

 

[Big Mama]

You can get the starter tested or try the old “tap it with a hammer” trick.

 

[Real_Talk]

Follow up to this post. The starter was bad. I should have seen the signs, sluggish start, stated a year ago, never thought much of it as the mileage is low and don’t think the starter would go out that fast (98K miles).

What made me dial into it more, I pulled the battery and it was 4 years old. Changed it and everything was working fine for about a week. Then back to the same issues, not wanting to start, then after pushing the push-to-start several times, it finally starting. I went ahead and changed the starter at that point. After several weeks now, no issues at all. Amazing how a new starter sounds and how fast the Yukon starts up.

Sad that these parts quit after such short usage.

For anyone wanting to change on their own, fairly easy if you are mechanically inclined. Cost was $134 for a New Delco starter, through a parts wholesaler.