Finally stranded me...

[swathdiver]

Hey Geotrash. I think you accidentally sent that pm to me.

@Geotrash

 

[Brandon2489]

@Geotrash

I tried to tag but forgot the @ symbol. Thank you

 

[jyi786]

Update #2: Truck is fixed and I'm about to hit the road.

As usual, you all were exactly right. The starter went bad again. I got it towed to the same dealership that performed the job the first time. They paid for towing as well. Here's what the paperwork says:

"neutral safety pin in starter solenoid broken off on connector; replaced starter"

I have no idea what that is or how it even happened. Should I chalk this up to the fact that the starter was remanufactured? I do NOT want to go through this again.

Special thanks to @Geotrash for being so willing to lend me a helping hand. I owe him dinner next time I'm down in the area.

 

[jyi786]

Would it be worth investing in those mini power starters I've been reading about? Specifically, the Powermaster torque mini starters. I've read that they are tons better than regular starters.

2012 GMC YUKON XL 1500 Powermaster Parts & Accessories | Summit Racing

Find 2012 GMC YUKON XL 1500 Powermaster and get Free Shipping on Orders Over $109 at Summit Racing!

www.summitracing.com

 

[89Suburban]

I'm in Richmond and can potentially lend a hand in the morning if needed. Lemme know. Send me a PM and I'll send you my mobile. And, I can also recommend another local shop instead of the dealer if that's helpful.

You da man.

 

[Tonyv__]

Last week, I was out of town with my 2012 Yukon Denali XL. I was in Richmond, and I live in Maryland, so it's a bit of a hike.

Anyway, I was going back to the truck, and remote started, and it clicked, like it was getting ready to start...and then after 3-4 seconds *reluctantly* started. This was very strange to me, but I thought nothing of it, especially since the truck seemed to run fine. One more remote start cycle, and it worked fine. Parked in a restaurant parking lot and went to have dinner. Came back out, and remote start, and *click*....nothing. My heart dropped. Got into the truck, and same thing: tried to start, single *click*, and nothing. First thought was that it was the starter. Didn't think it was the batteries, as I have dual batteries. I had to leave the truck in the parking lot overnight.

Ended up having to get a hotel and looked to schedule a tow for the next morning, since I got stuck in town. While I was in the hotel, I did some research and found that most people said it was the starter, and that it probably would work fine if left alone to cool down. I also looked up two dealers; lo and behold, Hendricks Chevrolet/GMC was literally a block from where my truck was parked.

The next morning, I went back to the parking lot, and what do you know: the truck started right up. I took it right to the dealer, and asked them to diagnose. They came back and said one of the batteries and the starter was bad. I was in no position to argue, so I just told them to change all 3: the starter and both batteries. They did...to the tune of $1300. The work was completed in less than 2 hours. Pretty impressive to me. Got the truck back home and everything is fine and dandy. One thing I noticed is that the truck no longer coughs/sputters when starting up: it starts up smoothly, clean, and very strong.

The truck is at 150K miles, which is right when I've read that the starters start to give out. I do believe what the dealer said that also one of the batteries finally died, but the other was masking it, causing it to be unable to supply enough power to crank, but just enough to power everything else in the truck. I've resolved to changing BOTH my batteries out every 3 years.

Think I did the right thing here? They replaced my batteries with 2 AC Delco 48PGs. Are these good batteries?

When you say the truck reluctantly starts. You mean it struggled? Kind of like a dying battery?

I ask because my 15 has been doing this on and off. About 2 months ago it started and I bought a new battery and positive battery cable. The problem seemed to stop but came back today. I haven’t had a chance to diagnose if the battery possibly isn’t charging. Because it’s suspicious the problem went away after a new battery or maybe it’s just a coincidence

 

[jyi786]

When you say the truck reluctantly starts. You mean it struggled? Kind of like a dying battery?

I ask because my 15 has been doing this on and off. About 2 months ago it started and I bought a new battery and positive battery cable. The problem seemed to stop but came back today. I haven’t had a chance to diagnose if the battery possibly isn’t charging. Because it’s suspicious the problem went away after a new battery or maybe it’s just a coincidence

Nope, not like a dying battery. This was the strangest "reluctant" start I've ever witnessed. It literally clicked, turned over EXACTLY ONCE, stopped for about 2-3 seconds flat, then started up normally.

 

[Tonyv__]

Nope, not like a dying battery. This was the strangest "reluctant" start I've ever witnessed. It literally clicked, turned over EXACTLY ONCE, stopped for about 2-3 seconds flat, then started up normally.

Hmm mine does more of a struggle start. Like a slow crank. Then starts. But not every time. Just here and there.

 

[Geotrash]

Update #2: Truck is fixed and I'm about to hit the road.

As usual, you all were exactly right. The starter went bad again. I got it towed to the same dealership that performed the job the first time. They paid for towing as well. Here's what the paperwork says:

"neutral safety pin in starter solenoid broken off on connector; replaced starter"

I have no idea what that is or how it even happened. Should I chalk this up to the fact that the starter was remanufactured? I do NOT want to go through this again.

Special thanks to @Geotrash for being so willing to lend me a helping hand. I owe him dinner next time I'm down in the area.

Glad you got it fixed, and no thanks needed. I’ve received enough help from good people on this board to make me want to keep paying it forward. But it sure would be great to at least have a beer next time you’re down this way!

 

[Geotrash]

Hey Geotrash. I think you accidentally sent that pm to me.

Thanks Brandon. Yeah, I hadn’t had my first cup of coffee yet. Lol. Thanks!