03 Yukon Denali Random No Start, I Mean Random

[03YD163]

This is my first post here, I referenced another topic on this forum with a person with a similar issue, and it seems as though you guys have a great data collection here with all of your members, here is the thread I was looking at, similar to my issue....but a little different..

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=84934

 

So.....i've been having issues with my 03 Yukon Denali. It randomly will not start, and I mean randomly. About once a week it seemed to be doing it, maybe it was doing it because i was going on trips on the weekend, not sure. So I will get in the car, turn over the ignition, and nothing, no crank, no start, and no flashing pass key light. Beings as though it is a common problem (so i have been told) i replaced the electrical portion of the lock cylinder, and it started flawlessly the next 20 times. That night i went down to a friends house south of town (about a 20 minute drive) and when the game we were watching got over low and behold it took about 10 minutes of me cranking the key over, adjusting the column, and turning the wheels to get it to finally turn over.

 

I am getting SOOOOO frustrated, i absolutely hate not having a reliable vehicle

 

I read on this forum that someone had a loose ground issue (on the frame) that was causing somewhat similar issues, a little more severe with him (it would just stall going down the road, then not start), i've checked the ground coming off the battery that goes to the front bumper area of the frame, as well as the ground under the drivers door, both seem fine.

 

I know there is a TSB for a loose negative battery cable causing random no start (i've already replaced both positive and negative side terminal bolts w/dielectric grease on a brand new battery)

 

It also may help to say that it will start while in the start position if you hold it sometimes. For example, this weekend it was doing it, I didn't mess with the column or anything, simply turned the key back and forth, on and off about five times, then getting frustrated i held the key in the start position for about ten seconds and about 7 seconds in it started cranking, so key cycling is not necessary

 

Also, it seems as though when i disconnect the battery (for example this weekend while i was replacing the lock cylinder) it will start perfectly for a day, then start doing it (I thought it was fixed, then it did it again the next morning after a short drive to the GF's house) Could this point to the BCM? Maybe it's resetting the system so it works well for a while?? Not sure on that one

 

Thank you for any help in advance, Adrian

[csheatz]

Do you have a after market alarm or autostart? I had a trans am that did this, turned out the alarm system was causing the problems

[03YD163]

Do you have a after market alarm or autostart? I had a trans am that did this, turned out the alarm system was causing the problems

 

Nope completely stock, no K&N or anything like that

[trucc_boi]

check all grounds.. alternator, battery, etc.. that's what it sounds like to me.. i had bad grounds at my battery in the blazer and it used to click once to start and die and i'd have to wiggle the negative battery cable to get it to start.

 

could be totally wrong..

 

also.. something may be shorting out your lock cylinder.. just sounds like a bad ground somewhere, loose cable/harness/fuse, etc.

[jblakeney]

This is my first post here, I referenced another topic on this forum with a person with a similar issue, and it seems as though you guys have a great data collection here with all of your members, here is the thread I was looking at, similar to my issue....but a little different..

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=84934

 

So.....i've been having issues with my 03 Yukon Denali. It randomly will not start, and I mean randomly. About once a week it seemed to be doing it, maybe it was doing it because i was going on trips on the weekend, not sure. So I will get in the car, turn over the ignition, and nothing, no crank, no start, and no flashing pass key light. Beings as though it is a common problem (so i have been told) i replaced the electrical portion of the lock cylinder, and it started flawlessly the next 20 times. That night i went down to a friends house south of town (about a 20 minute drive) and when the game we were watching got over low and behold it took about 10 minutes of me cranking the key over, adjusting the column, and turning the wheels to get it to finally turn over.

 

I am getting SOOOOO frustrated, i absolutely hate not having a reliable vehicle

 

I read on this forum that someone had a loose ground issue (on the frame) that was causing somewhat similar issues, a little more severe with him (it would just stall going down the road, then not start), i've checked the ground coming off the battery that goes to the front bumper area of the frame, as well as the ground under the drivers door, both seem fine.

 

I know there is a TSB for a loose negative battery cable causing random no start (i've already replaced both positive and negative side terminal bolts w/dielectric grease on a brand new battery)

 

It also may help to say that it will start while in the start position if you hold it sometimes. For example, this weekend it was doing it, I didn't mess with the column or anything, simply turned the key back and forth, on and off about five times, then getting frustrated i held the key in the start position for about ten seconds and about 7 seconds in it started cranking, so key cycling is not necessary

 

Also, it seems as though when i disconnect the battery (for example this weekend while i was replacing the lock cylinder) it will start perfectly for a day, then start doing it (I thought it was fixed, then it did it again the next morning after a short drive to the GF's house) Could this point to the BCM? Maybe it's resetting the system so it works well for a while?? Not sure on that one

 

Thank you for any help in advance, Adrian

 

I have not tore into this part of a newer GM yet. Where does the electrical switch sit in relation to the key cylinder? Any linkage? Over turning the key can sometimes bend lock cylinder linkages. Also, I have got in some newer GM stuff that you can turn the key forward to start and release and it will then crank it self. I know a 2005 Colorado does this..... I have one in the fleet now trying them out vs the Ranger 2.3...

 

I would guess their is a module that controls the cranking procedure when their is a self start after the key reaches run then start????

 

Jbo

[dhetticher]

Going out on a limb here but, have you checked the fuel pump? It could be not putting out the proper fuel pressure, or possibley the fuel filter could be clogging.

[Spurshot]

Check the battery cables. Old cables can build corrosion thru the length of the cable under the insulation and cause problems. I'm not saying that's your problem, but check or change them if they're old.

 

The transmission shift lock is a common suspect. this is the switch that keeps you from starting it in gear.

[03YD163]

Check the battery cables. Old cables can build corrosion thru the length of the cable under the insulation and cause problems. I'm not saying that's your problem, but check or change them if they're old.

 

The transmission shift lock is a common suspect. this is the switch that keeps you from starting it in gear.

 

I'll have to look into those cables, luckily my brother manages a Carquest, so I can get cheap parts

[03YD163]

Going out on a limb here but, have you checked the fuel pump? It could be not putting out the proper fuel pressure, or possibley the fuel filter could be clogging.

 

Well the fuel filter was just changed, and you can hear the fuel pump kicking on, and there is absolutely no cranking that is happening, no ticking either, so I'm not sure on that

[03YD163]

I have not tore into this part of a newer GM yet. Where does the electrical switch sit in relation to the key cylinder? Any linkage? Over turning the key can sometimes bend lock cylinder linkages. Also, I have got in some newer GM stuff that you can turn the key forward to start and release and it will then crank it self. I know a 2005 Colorado does this..... I have one in the fleet now trying them out vs the Ranger 2.3...

 

I would guess their is a module that controls the cranking procedure when their is a self start after the key reaches run then start????

 

Jbo

 

It is basically a gear that gets inserted into the housing at a 90 degree angle to where the lock cylinder sits, the housing for the lock cylinder moves this gear when you turn the key and when it reaches that run position the electrical portion sends an electrical signal to start, im pretty sure there isn't any linkage. My 03 doesn't have the start then crank until it starts thing, I think that maybe started in 05

 

Here's a picture of what the 03 has

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48521575@N06/?saved=1

[03YD163]

check all grounds.. alternator, battery, etc.. that's what it sounds like to me.. i had bad grounds at my battery in the blazer and it used to click once to start and die and i'd have to wiggle the negative battery cable to get it to start.

 

could be totally wrong..

 

also.. something may be shorting out your lock cylinder.. just sounds like a bad ground somewhere, loose cable/harness/fuse, etc.

 

This is what i was thinking, I've been meaning to take off all that plastic bs and go through the alternator, starter, PCM ground, etc.

 

Thanks for all the comments guys, hopefully we can figure this out for my sake !!!!

[03YD163]

Does anyone know where the larger gauge wire goes out of the negative battery terminal. I see where the smaller of the wires goes and checked that connection, the other one goes under the engine.

 

The Denali is being checked out for free today by a guy my brother knows who worked at GM for 30 odd years, so hopefully he will be able to come up with something

[03YD163]

FIXED, I hope!!!!! Finally today the guy i took it to had a chance to look at it, said it was the Ignition relay. I had already checked the starter relay but didn't even look at the diagram and notice IGN on the one next to it . After all that it's a $5 relay. Hopefully...

[ryanmesa]

Help!!!! I have i think the same problem. I have an 03 yukon slt, I replaced the ignition relay and I'm still having the issue with intermittent no crank no start. There was a remote start installed on my truck before i bought it and the job was poorly done (electrical tape mostly) so I just removed all the crap from that remote start and everything is back to stock now. After doin that the issue has improved, but it still happens.

Any ideas anyone??

Pictures would be great as well

[PJB1972]

I guess with all the grief folks get for not using the search feature, its kind of hard to fault a man for digging up old posts.

 

I had the EXACT same issue a couple of months ago with a VERY random no start / no crank.

It got progressively worse until it was every morning. (Started 100% of the time when hot. No start / No crank 100% when cold.)

I replaced relays, fiddled with ignition... you name it.

 

I finally broke out the digital multi-meter and had a friend try to crank it when it was cold. I had 12v at the starter when turning the key.

Replaced the starter. Good to go.

 

Point being, sometimes it's the simplest things.

Get the schematics out and trace it from the starter back until something isn't right.

Good luck!