What did you do to your NNBS GMT900 Tahoe/Yukon Today?

[j91z28d1]

having not lived up there it's only what I hear but they guys in the crazy cold stations, besides just leaving the diesel equipment running idling for weeks at a time, they tell me when it's really cold the battery itself freezes and has a very low output. but as long as it's good, the high current drain from the starter struggling actual warms the battery internally. so slow cranking but don't let it try for more than a few secs, let off and wait for the temperature to rise in the battery and try again. after a few times they say it should turn over well.

I've never done it, but they tell me it's pretty common up north.

 

[Grady_Wilson]

I would love to run a block heater, but there is no easy or practical way to power one.

Looking at the most logical reasons for a sluggish, but successful, start probably has more to do with the crank trying to spin through molasses than anything.

PMCS is key, but my OG point is to take care of the underlying electrical gremlins first. Throwing more juice at the system is just an expensive band-aid.

But, we all know this.

I own two pre-war cars that have 6v electrical systems.
I am well versed on the need for a solid and clean electrical system.
New owners to antique cars that have starting or charging issues always want to convert their car to 12v.
The cars start and run just fine when the electrical systems are properly maintained.
This Yukon is the only vehicle I've owned in about 30 years that I have not added extra ground leads to.
I have cleaned up the existing connections and cables and made sure everything is doing what it is supposed to.
I need to either buy a kit or make my own extra ground cables.
It certainly wouldn't hurt and additional ground cables have solved some weird electrical issues in cars over the years.

 

[Scrappycrow]

having not lived up there it's only what I hear but they guys in the crazy cold stations, besides just leaving the diesel equipment running idling for weeks at a time, they tell me when it's really cold the battery itself freezes and has a very low output. but as long as it's good, the high current drain from the starter struggling actual warms the battery internally. so slow cranking but don't let it try for more than a few secs, let off and wait for the temperature to rise in the battery and try again. after a few times they say it should turn over well.

I've never done it, but they tell me it's pretty common up north.

I was stationed at Minot AFB, North Dakota and in my experience, warming the battery by using it isn't a reliable method. Having both a block heater and a battery blanket (an insulated heated wrap) was the ticket.

 

[j91z28d1]

I was stationed at Minot AFB, North Dakota and in my experience, warming the battery by using it isn't a reliable method. Having both a block heater and a battery blanket (an insulated heated wrap) was the ticket.

I could see that. but running electricity to them where they are parked isn't really an option. so unofficially they just leave them running all day and night which sounds kinda crazy to me. but you do what you gotta do I guess.


shame slow cranking doesn't work well. that's also what the manufactures of the electric equipment tell us with the big lithium packs. they won't charge if guys drive them till they die when cold, but do have internal heaters that will kick on when plugged into chargers, but are very slowly. they tell us if you can get it to move, the load on the battery will warm itself up much faster than heaters. but again, I'm south. Just stuff I hear. if it's 20s here for more than 2 days or we get a few inches of snow south tx shuts down and people are dying from trying to sleep in their cars because they can't warm their houses. we got a small cold snap coming and I've already seem panicky emails flying around offering employees hotel rooms near work if they feel then won't be about to drive in safely.

we southern people handle cold well haha.

 

[Grady_Wilson]

I'm lucky enough to have an electrical outlet right at the driveway, I guess they figured block heaters would be needed around here.
I have a yellow electrical cord that is supposed to be good down to -20* so I could use that when I get my block heater installed.
All this discussion reminds me, I need to bring my jump start pack in and make sure it is topped off.

 

[RooTBeeRthe1st]

Got some tires and wheels I should show up soon.
Although I'm much prefer the older eight round hole steelies, the newer seven spoke triangle junk has the offset that I need.
But of course we're having the craziest rainstorm we've had in a very long time before I've gotten a chance to put them on.

 

[Scrappycrow]

Got some tires and wheels I should show up soon.

I'll be interested to see your take on the quality of the Dorman wheels, such as whether the holes are stamped cleanly.

 

[Grady_Wilson]

I plan on pickup up a set of OEM wheels next time I'm in Calif so I can use them for winter tires.
A dedicated set of winter tires would be better than any 3 peak tires.
I should be able to find a set fairly cheap dow there.

 

[RooTBeeRthe1st]

I'll be interested to see your take on the quality of the Dorman wheels, such as whether the holes are stamped cleanly.

I think they're supposed to show up early next week, I'll probably grab some pictures when they do.

I looked up the GM part number and the dorman's kept popping up.
And they're like a third the price of the GM units.

I've got 200,000 on my current steel wheels and I wanted more offset, tried spacers but somehow they made my brakes surge.
And all those tire rotations, the holes around the lugs aren't the prettiest anymore.

So I decided to go with those brand new options rather than something used from the junkyard or takeoffs from marketplace or something like that.

 

[RooTBeeRthe1st]

I plan on pickup up a set of OEM wheels next time I'm in Calif so I can use them for winter tires.
A dedicated set of winter tires would be better than any 3 peak tires.
I should be able to find a set fairly cheap dow there.

What part of california, and when about.