Multiple Issues Found at Dealer....seems suspicious

[Bowhunt24]

Hey all - looking for all your great experience and knowledge here.

 

I've recently noticed an intermittent power steering issue, where the PS will cut out in situations like pulling in and out of a parking space (where it's most noticeable). I also noticed that while the PS was cutting out, and as you cranked the wheel back and forth, you could see a correlation with the headlights noticeably dimming in concert with the wheel being turned (and the PS struggling). Later I noticed that even when the PS seemed to be operating normally, turning wheel back and forth still caused the headlights to dim. Then a day ago, drivers side headlight bulb goes out. I figured the bulb just went out (3 year old Sylvania silverstars), however the dealer is saying that light is no longer getting any voltage.

 

Take it into the dealer for service appt, and want to have these issues investigated. And of course, they come back saying they are all mysteriously unrelated and need to be addressed individually. I had them do a charging system test, and they identified that my alternator was on it's way out and needed to be replaced.

 

Couple questions:

Do these symptoms sound like they are all stemming from a bad alternator/charging system that isn't performing?

How does an alternator on these trucks just die at 40k miles???? 

How can a headlight just randomly stop receiving voltage one day?

 

 

Any input and feedback is helpful! Thanks all!

 

Evan

[SS502]

13 minutes ago, Bowhunt24 said:

Hey all - looking for all your great experience and knowledge here.

 

I've recently noticed an intermittent power steering issue, where the PS will cut out in situations like pulling in and out of a parking space (where it's most noticeable). I also noticed that while the PS was cutting out, and as you cranked the wheel back and forth, you could see a correlation with the headlights noticeably dimming in concert with the wheel being turned (and the PS struggling). Later I noticed that even when the PS seemed to be operating normally, turning wheel back and forth still caused the headlights to dim. Then a day ago, drivers side headlight bulb goes out. I figured the bulb just went out (3 year old Sylvania silverstars), however the dealer is saying that light is no longer getting any voltage.

 

Take it into the dealer for service appt, and want to have these issues investigated. And of course, they come back saying they are all mysteriously unrelated and need to be addressed individually. I had them do a charging system test, and they identified that my alternator was on it's way out and needed to be replaced.

 

Couple questions:

Do these symptoms sound like they are all stemming from a bad alternator/charging system that isn't performing?

How does an alternator on these trucks just die at 40k miles???? 

How can a headlight just randomly stop receiving voltage one day?

 

 

Any input and feedback is helpful! Thanks all!

 

Evan

I think @TXGREEK had something similar to this, could be wrong. PM him.

[diyer2]

Anythings possible.

Check it out yourself.

If you can't, get a second opinion.

 

If the alternator is going out the battery could be under charged.

 

[Bowhunt24]

4 minutes ago, SS502 said:

I think @TXGREEK had something similar to this, could be wrong. PM him.

Thanks, will do! 

 

Evan

[Darmichar]

32 minutes ago, Bowhunt24 said:

Hey all - looking for all your great experience and knowledge here.

 

I've recently noticed an intermittent power steering issue, where the PS will cut out in situations like pulling in and out of a parking space (where it's most noticeable). I also noticed that while the PS was cutting out, and as you cranked the wheel back and forth, you could see a correlation with the headlights noticeably dimming in concert with the wheel being turned (and the PS struggling). Later I noticed that even when the PS seemed to be operating normally, turning wheel back and forth still caused the headlights to dim. Then a day ago, drivers side headlight bulb goes out. I figured the bulb just went out (3 year old Sylvania silverstars), however the dealer is saying that light is no longer getting any voltage.

 

Take it into the dealer for service appt, and want to have these issues investigated. And of course, they come back saying they are all mysteriously unrelated and need to be addressed individually. I had them do a charging system test, and they identified that my alternator was on it's way out and needed to be replaced.

 

Couple questions:

Do these symptoms sound like they are all stemming from a bad alternator/charging system that isn't performing?

How does an alternator on these trucks just die at 40k miles???? 

How can a headlight just randomly stop receiving voltage one day?

 

 

Any input and feedback is helpful! Thanks all!

 

Evan

Check the grounds.  A bad ground can tax the system excessively causing premature failure of the charging components that are overworking trying to compensate for it.

[Mikebtte]

I would think it is possible due to the fact of when you use the power steering you are putting additional load on the same system that is driving you alternator. The internal regulator in the alternator will cause the power to surge up/down causing your headlights to dim. This is possible with or without the power steering as you experienced, more exaggerated when using the steering. You also said the Steering was cutting in an out, possibly due to low idea or engine stumble when voltage was excessively low.  

 

The head light could be a side effect of the voltage issue. I would replace the alternator and test operation. Not sure why the head light would have 0 volts other than maybe your battery was dead. My 2 cents

[DeePa]

What year truck?

[GN2018]

16 minutes ago, Darmichar said:

Check the grounds.  A bad ground can tax the system excessively causing premature failure of the charging components that are overworking trying to compensate for it.

That's what I was thinking.  Also, grounding problems can show up in very strange ways.  Had a bad ground on one of my first cars and the gauges were going crazy.  No telling what would happen in cars today with such high end electronics.

[YEGbluesilverado]

These trucks require a good battery and charge system to keep the power assist steering.  a dying alternator could very well be what caused all of this.  If it was mine id start with a new battery and alternator and see what problems you are left with after that.

[1SLOW1500]

I would remove clean and add electric grease to the connection at the battery and in the front of engine there is a large connection. I have posted the picture in a forum of the pcm connection having signs of water getting in. There is a small wire plug that hangs down under the grill up under the bumper I would use a dvm and go through it all the that back. At some point you will find a issue. Load test battery and last make sure it is the latest version of software in the truck. 

[TXGREEK]

Mine was related to the cold causing stiffer steering but it all comes back to the battery, cables and connections.



Every single thing on these damn trucks, no matter what brand are completely electrically connected. My Escalade bucked non stop and after multiple service calls turned out it was the battery cable wasn’t crimped on tight enough where the posts were on the battery. The crimp on the cable spools connecting to the terminal post.


Sent from above

[MaverickZ71]

3 year old Sylvania Silverstar headlight bulbs are living on borrowed time.  Those brighter-white bulbs have a shorter-rated lifespan than the factory original bulbs.  A best practice is to always replace bulbs in sets.  If one side goes out, replace the other side at the same time.  

[Bowhunt24]

Thanks everyone, appreciate all the feedback. Very helpful.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[2018GMC]

3 hours ago, Bowhunt24 said:

Thanks everyone, appreciate all the feedback. Very helpful.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 

There is a recall for power steering cutting out due to low voltage. I believe for 2014 - 2015. Fix is dealer flashes new software to Lower the voltage as to when electric steering assist cuts off. A good dealer can run your vin and see if the recall applies to you. 

[Sierra Dan]

Bowhunt,

 

Did they check your truck for this? Mine was behaving similar to yours until I had this steering software update covered under recall warranty...