Useless Information

[swathdiver]

Since purchase, one or more of the AC actuators has thrown trouble codes and after three years, all but one had thrown a code at least once! After much research, years, I nailed down which GM and ACDelco part numbers were for each position, or so I thought!

The most troublesome actuator was the driver's temperature control so I bought a GM 89018375 which also had ACDelco's number on the box, 15-72972. This one was made in Mexico by S&G Group.

My youngest daughter took on the task of replacing this one for me and swapped it out. We fired up the truck and Tech-2 and did a calibration, air was blowing hot when it should have been cold, always did the opposite unless manually commanded with the Tech-2. After a couple of relearns, even the passenger side temperature actuator started acting up! She put the old one back in for me and I started googling.

Like we did for the window switches, we came across a company on Ebay claiming to sell the same actuators that shipped with our trucks from the factory in white boxes without the GM stickers, from the same company that made them for GM. I sent them an offer, they accepted, and a few days later the new one showed up. This one was made by CEI, same as the one we pulled out, and is part number 89018365 or 15-72971. THIS is the right actuator for the driver and passenger temperature controls! My little one installed this new one for me, we did the calibration and now none of the others are throwing codes either! All seem happy at the moment!

Knowing that we had so many previous codes, I ordered another at the same price. So this is what I know about actuators; so far:

GMT900 Auto AC

89018374 - 15-73952 = Mode Actuator (Trouble Code B3779) - Driver's Footwell.
89018365 - 15-72971 = Temperature Actuator, Driver's Side (Trouble Code B0413) - Passenger's Footwell.
89018365 - 15-72971 = Temperature Actuator, Passenger Side (Trouble Code B0423) - Behind Glovebox.

Not going to speculate on the others until I see them! LOL

She then did a great job washing the truck, what a kid! Only cost a t-shirt and hoodie from Bass Pro Shops and ice cream; so far!

 

[avalonandl]

My AC seems to be fine..... I hope

 

[swathdiver]

My AC seems to be fine..... I hope

That one actuator would often not meet the commanded state and the AC would have to work harder to keep the driver's side of the cabin cool. About 18 months ago the clutch started making an intermittent noise at first and then became constant after about a year. Hasn't changed, still chills the air down into the 30s. New clutch kit is about $175 and can be done on the motor.

 

[swathdiver]

It was time to reset the air in the tires today. Like to do it when the ambient temperature outside is 75 degrees and began this morning. Wanted to level all the tires off on both the DIC and Tech-2 at 47 PSI. The computers do not like this number and will be even on any number but 47! I gave up and tried again this evening. Same thing, could only get them all to 46 and then a quick spin around the block and they were way off again! Will try again in the morning. She rides so nice when the air in all the tires is within a 1/2 psi of each other.

We also function tested the Tilt and Shock sensors again. My youngest washed the truck the other night and the alarm did not go off. I gave it a quick hit with my hands and was rewarded with the "warn away" signal from the horn and lights. Then my other daughter bumped it enough to move the truck but not shock, nothing happened. I like it like that. Then we jacked up one wheel and before the wheel left the ground the Tilt sensor went full alarm, lights and horn blaring. Awesome. Should have done this years ago.

Now some jerk will get a rude awakening if he thinks he's going to bust out the back window and steal the third row seats without getting caught! 2-Way Advanced Remote Start will complete the trifecta. Also hooked up the dash cam's WIFI to our phones. This way, if we park in high threat area, can leave camera on and see what's going on in and around truck from cell phone and back that up with 2-Way transmitter data.

Chompin' at the bit to get after the parking and rear disc brakes but lots of rain is in the forecast.

All previous trouble codes have cleared out but there's a persistent new one; B2375.

This is the code for the driver's seat horizontal motors circuit. Looks like my fat behind has finally taken its toll on those motors. Printed trouble shooting guide and will put that on the list between rain showers too.

 

[swathdiver]

Thunderstorms and light hail over the weekend triggered the "warn away" horn beeps but did not set off the alarm. Did so about 1/2 a dozen times or more. I left the dash cam plugged in and maybe on, came out to the truck today and the battery was dead. Sometime this week I hope to install the 2-Way Advanced Remote Start.

Update:

Put a voltmeter on the battery and it was deader than dead, 8.24 volts. Disconnected it from the truck and put on the 50 AMP battery charger. It's been taking .20 volts every 20 minutes. We're up to 10.07 volts now and the battery case is still cool...

That post was at about 10:00 PM, it's now 11:30 PM and the battery is at 11.09 volts. Still on 50 Amp charge and battery case is still cool. Going to put it on the Battery Minder for the rest of the night and check it again tomorrow. Hopefully it comes back, if not, time for a new battery.

 

[swathdiver]

The old school 2A 10A 50A battery charger set at its highest setting last night took the battery to 11.17 volts by 11:45 PM. I then put that one away and hooked up the 1.5A smart charger, the Battery Minder.

The decision to switch was based on measuring the voltage every 20 minutes. The charger was stuffing .01 volts about every minute for several hours and when I noticed it begin to fall off, to about half, that was when I decided to slow it down; and go to bed!

Checked the voltage at about 3:45 AM and it was at 12.45 volts. This morning at 8:00 AM it was at 12.68 volts. So seeing that, I put the negative cable back on and was rewarded with the horn beeping and lights flashing while I wandered around looking for my keys. My lovely wife found them in the kitchen and turned it off for me!

I should probably disconnect the charger and let it rest and see if the charge holds, right? Lots to do today and need the driveway for a few projects I hope to check off the list in this nice cool weather.

Update: Pulled the charger and measured 12.80 volts with Tech-2. Previous readings taken by voltmeter off the battery direct. Letting it rest, after breakfast we'll move it and check the charge again later today.

 

[swathdiver]

Took the truck out to pick up my wife from work, was on the road about an hour. We refueled with E85, get this, took on 26 gallons for $36! It was $1.359. Battery Start Up State of Charge was 69% and voltage was 12.8v and battery never really got above a State of Charge of about 71%. I unplugged everything and will check in the morning, if it has significantly discharged, I'll get a new battery for it.

Clock disappeared from Nav unit. Looked up video on youtube while underway and saw a video that takes you into secret menu to reset the date and time. I did that, it came out innaccurate but at least I could then reset it the normal way. Secret code for the menu is 295660.

On another more exciting topic, the Content Theft System has a log inside the BCM. It does not record the horn chirp "Warn Away", only full activation and will tell you what part of the system triggered the alarm. Today it said "Batt. Re-Attached" or something like that. Pretty cool.

Even more exciting, my daughters and I changed the hub on our Pontiac Montana and a tie rod. My youngest spun the inner tie rod and thought nothing of it, the steering wheel is now crooked. But the van doesn't sound like a Harley going down the road anymore and we have to get that toe setting adjusted before it wipes out the new tires. Proud of my kids, they complained like sailors, no swearing, just moaning and groaning, but got the job done and put dinner on the table! I see another trip to Bass Pro Shops in our future.

Now they just dumped a bunch of remotes on my desk to fix...

 

[avalonandl]

James: Do we need to do an intervention with you and battery chargers?

My battery minder is back on my Denali....

 

[avalonandl]

BTW - we got a ton of rain here in Naples.

 

[mountie]

BTW - we got a ton of rain here in Naples.

I'm an hour north of you.... I got a 1/2 ton.

I just ordered my Powerstop front - rotors/red calipers & pads..... Also ordered my S.S. brake lines from Russell Performance.
Goodie!!!