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Chevy Tahoe Battery Problems

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Comments

  • smorton1smorton1 Member Posts: 7
    I hate to hear about your problem. Believe me I can understand your frustration. I had an 07 that was like flipping a coin if it was going to be dead or not. I complained to GM of course they never heard of the problem, I gave them this web site. I've got a 2000 GMC with 215,000 miles that is more dependable. I have to admit we have a 2011 Tahoe now which only has 10,000 miles, but so far it's been great. However, if we start having problems with the batt. it will be my last GM vehicle. I think this problem is going to really cost GM some customers, but I guess they can just get another bail out.
  • mdumelowmdumelow Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2012
    2007 Tahoe LT-3 w/ 59000 miles -- Truck ran fine for two weeks after purchase. 5 days ago, slow start... 4 days ago, NO start. ACTED like a Dead Battery, BUT lights, radio, etc. still working!! Have had same problem and had to jump start Tahoe every morning and everyafternoon when leaving work. No aftermarket ANYTHING installed - just factory Rear Entertainment System (no NAV either). Don't even have a phone charger plugged in!!

    Took to parts store for load testing --Battery:OK, ALT:OK, -- took to trusted mechanic for diagnosis....

    Mechanic tells me: When you start the truck, all "modules" come to life. When you shut truck down, all "modules" have a rest period before going into hybernation. Mechanic says that one (or more) of my modules is NOT hybernating, and since they require a 12 volt power source this is my battery drain. OBD-II diagnostics revealed a GMLAN code -- something about HIGH SPEED BUS CIRCUIT??

    I have read multiple posts concerning this issue we are all having. Here is a compilation of fixes that other consumers have managed to squeeze out of dealers:

    1) Service Update #07007B where the BCM (Body Control Module) needs to be replaced;

    2) Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 06162 which is a software update to the Body Control Module (BCM);

    3) HIGH SPEED BUS BAR overheats which simulates a dead battery (this info came from a bulletin dated April 2009, but I dont remember were i found it posted)

    4) Someone posted that Service Update #07007 is actually a RECALL pertaining to certain VIN#'s. I attempted to verify, but site that was linked to this information is no longer up (go Figure, right??)

    HERE IS THE MOST RECENT BULLETIN I HAVE FOUND......

    5) Bulletin #09-08-50-017B - Dated Feb 11, 2010
    Its the rear seat heater. It does NOT to be replaced, just reprogrammed using an SPS System w/ latest software update. Applies to Escalade, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Yukon XL manufactured prior to November 30, 2009. ALL affected vehicles equipped with Rear Heated Seat RPO KA6.

    GM has to know what the issue is here... I just want to fix the problem, NOT sell the truck. If anyone has additional info, or has been able to resolve the issue -- PLEASE post a response !!!!!!! Feel free to email me and I will forward the long version of everything I have.

    Mike D
    South Alabama
  • mdumelowmdumelow Member Posts: 4
    2007 Tahoe LT-3 w/ 59000 miles -- Truck ran fine for two weeks after purchase. 5 days ago, slow start... 4 days ago, NO start. ACTED like a Dead Battery, BUT lights, radio, etc. still working!! When jumped off, all a/c controls (pass & aux) come on and sometimes Park Assist is turned off or get a TPMS Service notification. Have had same recurring issue and had to jump start Tahoe every morning and everyafternoon when leaving work. No aftermarket ANYTHING installed - just factory Rear Entertainment System (no NAV either). Don't even have a phone charger plugged in!!

    Took to parts store for load testing --Battery:OK, ALT:OK, -- took to trusted mechanic for diagnosis....

    Mechanic tells me: When you start the truck, all "modules" come to life. When you shut truck down, all "modules" have a rest period before going into hybernation. Mechanic says that one (or more) of my modules is NOT hybernating, and since they require a 12 volt power source this is my battery drain. OBD-II diagnostics revealed a GMLAN code -- something about HIGH SPEED BUS CIRCUIT??

    I have read multiple posts concerning this issue we are all having. Here is a compilation of fixes that other consumers have managed to squeeze out of dealers:

    1) Service Update #07007B where the BCM (Body Control Module) needs to be replaced;

    2) Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 06162 which is a software update to the Body Control Module (BCM);

    3) HIGH SPEED BUS BAR overheats which simulates a dead battery (this info came from a bulletin dated April 2009, but I dont remember were i found it posted)

    4) Someone posted that Service Update #07007 is actually a RECALL pertaining to certain VIN#'s. I attempted to verify, but site that was linked to this information is no longer up (go Figure, right??)

    HERE IS THE MOST RECENT BULLETIN I HAVE FOUND......

    5) Bulletin #09-08-50-017B - Dated Feb 11, 2010
    Its the rear seat heater. It does NOT to be replaced, just reprogrammed using an SPS System w/ latest software update. Applies to Escalade, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Yukon XL manufactured prior to November 30, 2009. ALL affected vehicles equipped with Rear Heated Seat RPO KA6.

    GM has to know what the issue is here... I just want to fix the problem, NOT sell the truck. If anyone has additional info, or has been able to resolve the issue -- PLEASE post a response !!!!!!! Feel free to email me and I will forward the long version of everything I have.

    Mike D
    South Alabama
  • thrownjokerthrownjoker Member Posts: 4
    I have a 07 tahoe ,every time i have the tires rotated at Firestone they have the hood open for a courtesy inspection. every time by the end of the service the battery is dead . the dealership has replaced the battery 3 times.i contacted the manufacture they paid for the repairs and also fixed 4 other recalls.In the process they broke the drivers side folding mirror.that was funny to me because it worked fine when i dropped it off. before they removed the door panels to fix the door handles that cut your hand every time you opened the doors. Chevrolet knows about this problem with the charging system. they are a bunch of LIARS . This is what you get for buying American. This was my first Chevrolet and my last.I have let all of my family , friends and coworkers who are looking at a new car purchase know how good of a car manufacturer Chevrolet is .I am happy to say that NONE of them have purchased a Chevrolet. In retrospect it would have been a good thing if they went out of business,then they wouldn't have flooded the market with their substandard cars , trucks and suvs
  • msell0809msell0809 Member Posts: 1
    Our 05' tahoe kept dying, something was draining the battery overnight. Once you jumped it off in the morning it would be fine the rest of the day, as long as you drove it every so often. We took it to a great mechanic and it turned out there was a device in the drivers door that was keeping the mirror heater from shutting off. Quick fix it, he found it that day, cost about $560, and the car has no more issues. We were given a lot of opinions for altenators to fuel pumps before taking it to this mechanic. The key is finding the right person.
  • starultrastarultra Member Posts: 15
  • itsjlitsjl Member Posts: 1
    I've read a lot about Chevy Tahoe battery issues on these threads, so at least I'm not alone. Many of the posters mention they have a 2007 model. I am having very similar issues, but mine is a 2010. I purchased the car about a year and a half ago. About a year into owning it, I was packing up the truck for a quick family vacation. When we were all packed and ready, it wouldn't start. I had left the hatch and doors open, but didn't think that would drain the battery in the 30 mins it took me to pack, but it was dead. I was able to get a jump and then it was fine for a few months. Now in the last 3 months, it has died 5 times. In each case, I had been driving it normally for a while, then one morning or evening, it just won't start. Lights and other things come on, but it won't turn over. Each time a jump gets it going. I've read about all the similar issues in these threads, but does anyone know if models later than 2007 generally have the same issues? I am about to go back to the dealer, but not looking forward to taking the half days off from I work I expect to have to take to deal with that whole process.
  • armywife8605armywife8605 Member Posts: 1
    We bought our 2004 Chevy suburban is 2009 and it ran fine for about 1.5 years. In December 2010 the batteries started to die. We replaced the battery and thought maybe that was the problem. Three week later the battery dies, so we replace it again..Took it to the auto shop in March 2011 and they stated it's just a bad battery and I asked what about the alternator??..They acted like i was stupid (my husband and dad are both mechanics)..So I replaced the battery again for the fourth time..AGAIN it dies..After going through 10 batteries (all having dead cells from multiple jump starts) I decided to change the alternator and replace the battery..The SUV worked fine for about a week (luckily my husband came home from deployment) and it killed out again..(which turned out to be a faulty alternator, which my husband replaced)..My SUV has killed a total of 13 batteries in almost a year time..The alternator works fine, but since November, 2011 our radio likes to work when it wants to but when it does it's very static..My husband says it has to be a electrical problem, I was wondering if anyone has had this issue or about how much it would be to fix?
  • runkeldcrunkeldc Member Posts: 1
    Same problem with a 2004 Silverado 2500 HD 6.0 liter. Getting ready to install third battery since first of this year. If you solve this problem, let me know. I'll do the same for you if I can figure it out.
  • sarcasarca Member Posts: 9
    edited March 2012
    I have had problems with my Tahoe battery since I bought it. The first time I noticed it was when my daughter was listening to the radio in the vehicle with the vehicle off. When I came back suv was dead, so we had to call AAA. Then we went to a drive-in movie, and when the movie was done our vehicle wouldnt start so we called AAA. After this happening about 3-4 times I finally brought the vehicle to Chevy. They said the battery was bad and replaced it under warranty. We went to Tahoe 3 weeks later and had just parked our vehicle to grab something from our hotel, when we came back to start the car it was completely dead, that was less then 10 minutes and nothing was left on. AAA towed the vehicle to A/C Delco (who happened to be nearest place around) Delco did load test and said that the cells in the battery were completely dead, and that the way it looked was like there was some sort of electrical charge that just killed it, (they replaced the battery for free since I had just got it), they told me that this battery was one that they used to use in some of the Mercedes vehicles a long time ago but Mercedes discontinued using them, and that he thought it was weird that Chevy was using this battery. He said I should take it back to Chevy and have them test the charging system/electrical system because there's difinetly something not right. So I took it back to Chevy and they said they that they had just checked the vehicle and there was nothing wrong with it, and sometimes there are batteries that are duds. We sat in our car and were eating one day with the vehicle off, keys out, radio off, only doors open. When we were done we locked the vehicle up and left it for a couple hours. When we came back the battery was dead and we called AAA again. We love going to drive-in movies and were afraid to because of the radio/battery situation. We decided to go and just start the car every 15-20 minutes. So we did that every 20 minutes but 3/4 of the way through the movie the vehicle wouldnt turn on and we called AAA again. This time the engine light stayed on after the charge, I hit the On Star button and they came on and ran a diagnostic and said they dont see anything wrong and it's ok to drive, but if the light doesnt go off by the next morning to take it to a dealer. Everytime we go camping the vehicle needs to be jumped the next morning. Again there's nothing left on, we do go in and out a few times to grab things, with the last time being after we put all the food in the back of the vehicle for the night. My husband usually starts the veh. and lets it run for a few minutes before turning in for bed. No matter, it still doesnt start in the morning. My husband feels that it has to do with the cold, but I don't know, thinking back to the time it died in Lake Tahoe (it had snowed) it could be. That would only explain the dying when we're camping issue though. Other than when we camp I've never had problems starting the suv in the morning. There's been times when one of my kids left the light in the veh on overnight, and a few times during the days. I didnt have any problem starting the vehicle those times. The battery died numerous more times and there's been nothing that's been left on, the only thing that I could think of is that the door had been open for a bit so that we could get some air. Unfortunatly, at those times we had left the veh to do some things and found it dead upon returning. So don't know if it would have started right away or if there's something draining the battery while we were out. There's been many times though that we've had doors open to get air and the vehicle starts fine. The battery has died 2 times in the last four days. The first of those times we were sitting in the vehicle having lunch and it got hot so we opened the driver door and passenger front door. Now the one thing that happened this time was that the drivers seat went back and forth by itself, we thought that was odd but gave it no more thought at the time. When we were done eating we turned the key in the ignition to close the windows, then we closed the vehicle up and left it. 2 1/2 hours later we came back and vehicle was dead, we needed to get the vehicle jumped. Then on Tuesday I had dropped something on the driver floor and went to pick it up and for some reason just looked up under the steering wheel and saw all the wires there. I am a curious person by nature so right away had to check it out. It looked like a real mess, all the wire bundles were taped together but some of them had beige tape on them, like the one you buy for your home sometimes. I needed to get a better look, so I put the the chair all the way back and lowered the brake pedals. Of course the door was open cuz I needed to hang my legs out. I went back under, and I have to say it looked like a kid did that work. There were wires connected to 2 boxes (does that sound right?) then going to the steering wheel, etc. Anyway there were a couple wires (they were in with a bundle of others that plugged into a small outlet hanging toward the driver floor by the radio side)that didnt go anywhere, is that normal? My thoughts were that maybe there was a loose wire and thats the battery problem. Also I'm wondering if when I brought it in for the first couple times for the battery if they did something it that area, without saying anything because it looks jacked up to me under there. Ok so I'm not a mechanic and so I figured I'd try to look online for pics to see how it should look. (So far havent found any yet) But first off I put the seat back and then had to turn the vehicle on to put the brake pedal back. Then there was a loud buzzing sound coming from the back driver side wheel well area by the gas tank. It sounded kinda like the sound that a small jackhammer would make, it only lasted a couple seconds and was done. I went in the house and didnt leave for about two hours. When I came back out and tried to start the vehicle it was dead. So was there a loose wire that I tapped when I was looking under there? I wonder if that noise I heard had something to do with this. I had heard this noise once before when I brought the vehicle in the first time for some warranty work, including looking at the battery. I was in the service drive standing next to the vehicle while she was writing it up when it happened. I asked her what that was and she said she didn't know but would check it out with the other things. Nothing ever came of that.

    It's important to note that I have no aftermarket products installed on this vehicle. Also, when I go out to my vehicle, the doors do unlock for me. Then when I go to turn the vehicle on it just clicks. At that point nothing works, doors won't lock/unlock, power lift gate wont open etc.

    I will mention that there are a couple of other strange things that have happened that i will have to do part two to this post. coming up
  • sarcasarca Member Posts: 9
    continued from previous message
    I will mention that there are a couple of other strange things that have happened since I've had this vehicle the battery wasnt affected. First off when I first got the vehicle my remote stopped unlocking the doors from outside the car, but strange enough when you were inside the vehicle you could lock and unlock the doors. I forget how they fixed that at this time, but it wasnt a remote problem I do remember that. Then the tire sensors kept coming on, and the dealer replaced them. Then (stranger yet), there were a few times that I started the vehicle and while backing up the back-up camera wouldnt kick in. There were a couple other times that the entire radio entertainment system (I have Nav as well as DVD player/CD player/backup camera. factory installed) didnt work from the time I got in my car until I parked. Then upon getting back in my car it was fine. The last strange thing, is a door lock and unlock issue. My husband left me in the vehicle for a quick minute and locked the vehicle from the outside. When he came back his hands were full and he wanted me to unlock the doors. I pressed the unlock button on the passenger door side and the doors wouldn't unlock, so I leaned across the console and pressed unlock from the drivers side, again nothing. My husband couldn't unlock the door with the remote either so ended up manually unlocking it with the key. This also happened on a couple other occasions as well. Hopefully this strike a chord with someone.

    So back to the main problem, I went to dealer today about the battery problem and he said that there's an update to the system that was should fix any battery problems. This was on a bulletin from 10/16/09 #PIT4782D. One of the causes it fixes is: humm or buzz noise from rear of vehicle and/or poss dead battery. This is PI #06-06-03-011B. I said what if thats not the problem though? He said that the fix is for all 16 problems on the page. I didn't see a fix though, it just talks about recording the static voltage of the battery by using a DVOM at the battery post before charging or diagnosing. Then perform parasitic load test as listed in SI. Explains what to do when using a fluke 87-5 meter. And tests how to test the meter first to make sure its working. Then says to perform and record the results for all PI's and belletins that apply to the vehicle in template following list before calling the Technical Assistance Center. Then tells what to do if the vehicle is equipped with Articulating Running Boards. Then at the end says "Vehicles that don't have the delay have older software that may cause the module not to fully go to sleep and may result in battery draw. I dont see any fix described just diagnostics, but the advisor said that this fix would fix everything on that list. I'm not sure if the actual fix is in a separate bulliton for their eyes only? Anyway he wants me to pay $150.00 and MAYBE this will fix it. He says that to be completely sure they'd have to do a complete diagnostic that I'd have to pay for of course. I need to talk to GM regarding having to pay for any of this. I brought me vehicle in when it was under warranty so as far as i'm concerned they need to take care of it since the fix they performed wasn't the answer. I'm hoping that GM will handle the matter in a professional way and provide customer service that is acceptable. I work at a dealership myself and know how things should work, so we'll see if they live up to the way it should go. I should also mention that I had my work do a Parasidic draw test last year, and I was told that there was a high draw coming out of front outlets, so just don't leave things plugged in there. I never leave anything charging in the outlets when the vehicles off, so that shouldn't be why my vehicle dies. Other than that they said nothing else came up. I'm not real familiar with how this is done, but I'm not sure if they hit on everything that could possible create a draw, or just the obvious areas. They did it for free since I work there.

    Well I'll see what happens, if anyone has any ideas from what I've written please let me know.
  • toobusy5toobusy5 Member Posts: 1
    I can't say for sure if your vehicle problems are the same as we have but our 2004 Suburban has had the cluster panel replaced several times. You might check to see if it's the same issue. What I can say is that it causes the battery to completely drain... in one year a brand new battery had no life left in it and isn't rechargeable. The cluster panel has eventually caused the entire dash panel lights to go out, preventing the driver to have no gauge on speed, etc. Last year, I lost all power to the steering and brakes and nearly caused an accident. The cluster panel has been replaced 3x in the last 6 years and GM won't help cover the expenses since it's out of warranty.
  • sarcasarca Member Posts: 9
    What did the final fix end up being?
  • sarcasarca Member Posts: 9
    Did you replace any of these things? Are you still having problems? I posted on the main thread message 226 & 227, if you have a chance to read those I would like to hear if any of that sounds familiar. Today I was checking the fuses and had the driver door open, I could hear electronic sounds coming from the radio area then when that stopped I heard a quiet spinning coming from the radio area that went on for a while. Then when I was finished checking things out, of course my vehicle wouldn't start. When I tried to start it the first thing console message said was:service stability control, service traction control. just clicked, nothing else. But then after a few minutes I heard radio spinning so Service Request: I "let me try starting it again", nothing just a click, but door locks went up and down a few times, windshield wipers came on, the lights came on as well as dash lighting and A/C controls and A/c readout lit up but radio didn't work and screen was black. Radio area was making noises again. And of course just clicked no turnover. So I waited a bit again, then I tried it again (just to see what other weird things might happen) this time locks only went up once, all overhead lights went on again as well as the same console lights. Then I jumped it for the 3 rd time this week and once that was done "service charging system" was added to the other service prompts on dash. Any of this ring a bell?
  • sarcasarca Member Posts: 9
    what did the dealership find?
  • sarcasarca Member Posts: 9
    edited March 2012
    can you forward me the long version? sjam4life@aol.com
  • richard7564richard7564 Member Posts: 8
    Nothing. The dealership lunkheads could not figure it out. I took the Suburban to a local auto repair shop and they pulled the battery and tested it thoroughly. As it turned out, the actual battery was defective, it wouldn't hold a charge for very long. I had recently bought this battery from the local Pep Boys dealer and the brand name was Bosch. I replaced the defective Bosch with an AC-Delco. Never had the problem again. Will never buy Bosch brand again and I question the integrity of Pep Boys products.
  • richard7564richard7564 Member Posts: 8
    Try replacing old battery out with different brand name. You could simply have a defective battery. I had a battery (Bosch brand) which I purchased from Pep Boys that after about 8 months, started going dead overnight. As it turned out, it was a defective battery. I switched to ACDelco, problem went away.
  • richard7564richard7564 Member Posts: 8
    Sometimes a weak battery can still make the radio and lights work, but they would be a lot dimmer. It sounds like your alternator is not re-charging your battery. So ..... could be bad alternator, or your cable lug terminals at the battery might be loose or dirty thus causing inadequate voltage charging.
  • sarcasarca Member Posts: 9
    My Tahoe died again yesterday, so I had AAA jump it and I drove it to dealership. They did all kinds of tests and pulled codes, and this is what they ended up doing: reflashed the BCM TSB# 09-06-03-013D, and reflashed the rear seat heat module TSB# 09-08-50-017B, they referred to PIT4816D, and PIT4782D. I also let them do recall for windshield washer heater, and I upgraded battery to one with more power. Afterwards I turned vehicle off and sat in Tahoe with radio running for 20 minutes and it started right up. That's a good sign, so we'll see. Now gotta do oil consumption test as that's the next problem....:(
  • james0258james0258 Member Posts: 1
    Just confirming the very real problems described in the previous 227 posts. I lived with it from summer 2010 (65,000 miles) to May 2012 (103,000 miles). I traded for new 2012 Suburban rather than invest more time in a futile effort to make the vehicle dependable.

    First time, nearly got stranded in the desert of Utah with mystery no start problem; forced to stop in Tucumcari, NM on the way back to Dallas, or risk being stranded on the highway. Warning lights flashing, door locks popping up and down, ignition glitches; while running I40 at night.

    Tucumcari GM mechanic "discovered" positive terminal wasn't properly torqued. I assumed my bad since I had replace battery myself several months earlier. Back home, one week later, problem came back. I started playing with positive cable at the terminal; found that if I twisted on the cable, contact would change, and auto would "come back on". I mean from completely dead to completely alive. Well I showed this to my local dealer, and suggested a defective positive cable. Hard to believe, but copper cable into a lead alloy terminal can have a poor contact resulting in voltage drop. Enough to fool the electronic sensor into "dead" behavior.

    Paid about $300 to replace the cable ... the problem went away for about 9 months. Then the problem came back. Replaced the cable again (same symptoms) under parts warrenty at about 80,000, and THEN AGAIN AFTER 12 MORE MONTHS AT 100,000 miles. Don't know if I really had warranty coming, but the local dealer (small town) really wanted to make it right. Did any of this help? No. Toward the end, replaced the battery, and still had intermittant shut downs; where only solution was to fritz with the positive cable. An undependable vehicle is almost worse than no vehicle. Stranded at home is one thing; getting stranded on the road or in a desert will get you hurt or killed.

    Final note, I nor the local GM mechanics ever this figured out. But I think that it is likely that there is poor design/manufacturing on the positive cable for the '07; and the voltage sensor is too sensitive, going into shutdown on minor voltage drops. Some GM engineer is probably totally aware, but not about to announce it to the world. My new 2012 Burb has a very different looking positive terminal, with secondary contacts on the battery. Hope this helps anyone with the same problem.
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    james0258,

    I'm sorry that the electrical concern you had been having with your Tahoe was unable to be resolved; I hope that your new Suburban is a different story! If we can ever answer any questions or look into anything for you, please be sure to get in touch with us at socialmedia@gm.com
    All the best,
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • rf_fanat1crf_fanat1c Member Posts: 1
    I recently bought a used 07 Tahoe LTZ. Two times now I've had the vehicle off but the radio on and go to start it 15 minutes later and it won't start. Clock resets to 12:00 and cd changer and locks go bezerk. The other time this happened, my wife parked it for 4 hours with the key out and everything off. She came out to the vehicle and it was dead again and wouldn't take a jump start. The other two times it took a jump and started.

    I've taken it to the dealership and they said the 07033 service bulletin (BCM Flash) has already been done and they then re-flashed the rear heated seat module. They also did a test on the battery and said it was fine, had almost all of its original cranking amps and only had a 0.1 amp draw when off.

    I went out to the vehicle today to do a test and just turned the radio on and sat in the car for 15 minutes and the voltage gauge eventually dropped to just above 9. I went to start it and it was dead, lights and radio worked but it wouldn't start. Just before I tried this, the Stability Track light came on and it said the system was off. I turned the key, no start and the the radio reset to 12:00 and the cd changer went nuts. I've researched this to death on the issue and no one can seem to give me a clear answer. Thanks for any help anyone can provide. I'm going to try a new battery tomorrow but don't have high hopes.

    Another strange thing I noticed was that when I bought the vehicle 2 months ago, I saw the engine hours were reset to 0. I didn't think this was possible and the dealership things it was from a cluster replacement. Thanks for any help.
  • sarcasarca Member Posts: 9
    Seems like my battery prob is fixed. I took it in and they said that the fix was what you had done: reflash back seat heaters and bcm. I also had them put in a bigger battery, the largest one AC Delco makes for this veh. it has slightly more power. I wanted everything to be done at the dealer so they couldnt say that it was my battery etc. Anyway, when I picked up vehicle I just sat in the lot with veh off and radio running. When it turned off I turned it back on. I also had all seat heaters going at same time. I started up no prob. It's been 4 months now and no prob with battery. Just a bunch of other things. Doing oil consumption test, now they going to fix piston rings and seals, I guess they found oil pooling. Well hope I figure everything out before my ext warr comes to an end.
  • 2forty2forty Member Posts: 2
    Just like the rest of the posts on here I bought my 06 tahoe a year ago and its been doing fine but in Jan of this year I went to meet some friends and turned it off and it did not start back up so we jumped it and its been running fine until about a week ago. I got up one morning to go to work and noticed a major lag when starting and its been doing this every since and several occassions it wouldn't start. I was going to get a new battery but reading all of these posts im not sure it will fix this issue. Is there an answer to this problem or is everyone in the dark like me???
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Good afternoon 2forty,

    Your vehicle does have a Voltmeter that you can use to see your battery's charge status. When your engine is not running, but the ignition is in RUN, this gauge shows your battery’s state of charge in DC volts.

    Hope this is helpful in some way! Have you seen any warning lights come on?
    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • 2forty2forty Member Posts: 2
    There are no warning lights. It seems to be getting worse because I put it on the charger last night and when I took it off this morning it was very hesitant to start.
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    2forty,

    I'm sorry to hear that it seems to be getting worse. I am unable to do much troubleshooting, but I hope that you're able to get some great feedback from the members of the community. If you decide to work with a GM dealership to get this resolved, please be sure to let us know. We can be reached at socialmedia@gm.com

    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • postaljopostaljo Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2003 Tahoe, recently went to body shop for repairs..hood flew up and wrapped around windshield during storm. When I got the car back, drove home parked, went out to start and nothing. Had a friend jump it, when I turned it off wouldn't start. Now I'm told it's a defective battery, I have to take the negative wire off every time I stop then car and reconnect when I want to start it. Could it be a short somewhere or possible a fuse? Help
  • postaljopostaljo Member Posts: 2
    I have checked the alternator, pulled every fuse and still something is daring the battery. Does anyone have any suggestions before I take it to the dealer
  • richard7564richard7564 Member Posts: 8
    Try another battery of a different brand (used will be cheapest, or loaner) and see if symptoms are the same. If so, then it ain't the battery! probably some loose connection, perhaps right at the battery terminal lug connector.

    For the record, I had experienced a bad defective battery (Bosch brand from Pep Boys) , replaced it with the exact same model..... unfortunately the same results... battery completely dead overnight. Removed that 2nd Bosch and replaced it with an AC/Delco brand.... never had the problem again.. it's been 2 years now !!
  • richard7564richard7564 Member Posts: 8
    My personal experience with 2004 Suburban... battery going dead.
    1st battery lasted about 6 years. 2nd battery (Bosch brand from Pep Boys Auto Store) lasted about 1-1/2 yrs. 3rd battery (Bosch brand from Pep Boys) went dead about 3 days. (I have a battery charger at my house where I was recharging it... which would last about 3 day max) Finally took to Chevy dealer to diagnose. ($90) They couldn't find the problem, said they were sorry but all seems to be working fine. They charged the battery overnight and sent me on my merry way. Went to a local auto repair shop, they kept the vehicle overnight, called me the next morning, said I had a defective battery. They replaced the Bosch brand with an AC DELCO. Problem SOLVED !!!!!! It's been 2 years now an no more dead batteries!

    Final analysis: For some reason the local Pep Boys Auto Store sold me not 1, but 2 bad defective batteries. I'm not sure, but perhaps that store is being supplied with batteries from a questionable source, probably at higher discount rates for more profit margin!! I will never buy a battery from that store ever again. Because, maybe it's not only the Bosch brands, but others as well !! In this day and age, I don't trust anyone anymore, even if a product is brand new with a shiny new label...... (might be manufactured overseas somewhere !! You never know !!
  • tcboumatcbouma Member Posts: 1
    I bought a used 07 Suburban LTZ with 113k miles. Within the first 30 days, it would not start for my wife and needed a jump. I figured she left something on, jumped it and off she went. when it happened 3 weeks later, I took it to Les Schwab to have the battery and charging system tested since it had one of their batteries in it that didn't look that old. All tested good and down the road it went. about 3 weeks later and again, no start needing jump. This is getting old. Took it to a local battery/alt shop and tested all good again. At this point I went to the web and found how common this issue seems to be. I have no idea what all BCM flashes or anything the previous 2 owners had done. The local stealer wanted $100 to hook it up and test, then another $100 for an overnight test if the first test showed nothing. I decided to do some testing on my own.



    checked battery VDC was at 12.35. removed negative terminal and placed DMM inline on amp setting between neg. wire and battery terminal. meter showed about 4 Amps!! However after about 30 sec or so, it dropped to 1.5A then down to about 30 ma, which is acceptable. But, when you touch the car like open the door for example it spikes back to 4A for a min. or so then slowly drops back to 30 ma withing about 2 min. Even with the dome lights off, it draws 4A every time you do anything. So from this it seemed there was no parasitic draw and all the modules were going to sleep correctly. I tried to open the motorized lift gate but my meter only goes to 10A and it spiked the meter at 16A and would not even try to open the gate which means it pulls quite a bit of current. So, I hooked the battery back up and walked away. 2 weeks later another jump start.



    Time to play some more...VDC still showing 12.35 with vehicle off. while running its 13.9 so alt is charging. Still not showing any drain per previous test performed again. The vehicle has a 10 min timer on the headlamps, and most times it has gone dead, the wife has mentioned that she did sit at the park for 10 min with radio on, or kids got in and out a few times. So, battery at 12.65V, headlights left on and went inside for 15 min. came back and the lights were off. battery now showing 11.6V and it would not turn over. A good battery should not go dead in 10 min of headlamps. Ran to sears and replaced the 650CCA les Schwab battery that had been tested good by 3 different shops at this point with an 850 Die Hard Platinum. Went home and slapped it in. VDC now reading 12.65V, turned on headlights and went in for a beer. came out 15 min later, headlights off, VDC reading 12.65V and it cranked over no problem. I did not start it, just cranked over quickly to see. again turned on lights and went for beer #2. 15 min later, reading 12.65VDC and again cranked no problem. one more test of 10 min of lights and beer #3. So after 30 min of head lights the battery had dropped 0.0V and it would still turn over no problem. For my 4th attempt I really stuck it to it. I turned on the headlights, opened all doors and left dome lights on, plugged in the IPOD to the power port and played music through the car, and opened and closed the lift gate 15 times. waited for the 10 min timer to hit and shut down the lights. measured battery at 12.64VDC and fired up the rig no problem. Case closed.



    Very frustrating problem and even though the battery tested good 3 times by 3 different places, it was the culprit. This is a very power hungry vehicle and since the new battery in October 2012, we have not had a single issue. I came back now to post this because of how may people I saw on the forums with the same problem, and never really found anyone that actually posted a real fix in the end. I'm sure that some people do have a drain for whatever reason, but if you can us a DMM and check for that and you don't have one, it's probably the battery. I saw plenty of people that had replaced the battery but moslty with the same brand. I know everyone has their likes and dis-likes of certain brands and that's fine. Seeing this thing draw 4 Amps every time you touch it is a huge draw. I personally would highly recommend higher CCA battery like the 850 I put in and I personally really like Die Hard and have never had an issue with one.
  • tahoenewbtahoenewb Member Posts: 1
    So, I recently bought a 2006 Chevy Tahoe and I’m an Uber driver. I’d sit in the airport queue and turn on the accessories to listen to the radio. After about two hours I’d realize my battery is dead. After this happened a few times I wondered what was up with that! After researching I came across this forum and saw a lot of people with the same problem. Though the posts are old I thought I’d give an update since finding by accident what the problem is. I don’t know if anybody found the problem earlier in the forum since it would be quicker to write this than read through all of them. 
    As I was sitting in my Tahoe with the radio on the sun began to go down and I realized as it got darker that all my dashboard lights are on. Gauges, Climate control etc. even though they were not running. Why are the dash lights on when I’m in accessories? So now I have to remember to set the dimmer on minimum to keep my battery from dying.
  • 78SS_ericSS78SS_ericSS Member Posts: 1
    My eletrical soultion seems fixed by replacing cable from battery to alternator, the fuseable link was bad. I just bought my Tahoe/Suburban, had it a week and a half or so. As I read, I am hoping it doesn't come back. I paid less than 1000$ dollars for it, so I am okay spending a little to get it right. Does the BCM and ECM update resolve the electrical issues permantly fix the problem. I used a cheap Killswitch that mounts with the positive cable to kill the current every night. Today I will see if cable replacement worked. Started yesterday, about to check it soon.
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