Need electrical help - 5.7 won't start.

TX-TahoeLtd · July 12, 2004

Hi all,

It couldn't be worse timing, but it's my luck. I went out to go somewhere in my Tahoe and it won't start.

Key fob won't unlock the doors, key in ignition doesn't produce anything, no stereo, no lights, no nothing.

No clicking or anything - just dead. I checked thoroughly and nothing was left on (lights, doors partially open, overhead lamps, nothing). Truck sat in my driveway since Friday afternoon and drove just fine then.

I'm trying to come up with a list of things I need to check and if it's not the battery, I'm out of ideas and could really use some help.

Battery is first on the list - however it's new and I think less than a year old - 2 years tops. Die Hard from Sears.

Other ideas?

Thanks!

snoman · July 12, 2004

Before you jump to conclusions, check battery as they have been know to short out or open up internally. Believe it or not, last week I was started up my old JD tractor to bush hog and when I got done I parked it up by the house instead of taking it to the barn. I went out several hours later to park it and it was deader than a door nail and would not even click. The battery opened up internally. Replaced the battery the next day and it was good as new.

TX-TahoeLtd · July 12, 2004

Yup - that's going to be my first thing.

Funny though, I bought the top of the line Die Hard from Sears and I would have thought it would last more than a year or year and a half.

I'll have to check my paperwork to see the warranty...

Thanks for the ideas - I'll give that a whirl.

TX-TahoeLtd · July 13, 2004

Issue resolved - pulled the battery and took it back to Sears - failed the test and didn't take a charge.

3 dollars later and I have a new battery and truck now starts.

Thanks!

tryn2lrn · July 13, 2004

Just like everyone else Sears gets die hards from the lowest bidder, I worked for a shop that built custom equipment for the battery industry and I personally watched (won't mention names) batteries fail eol test and just get thrown on the same skid as the good ones.

TX-TahoeLtd · July 13, 2004

Just like everyone else Sears gets die hards from the lowest bidder, I worked for a shop that built custom equipment for the battery industry and I personally watched (won't mention names) batteries fail eol test and just get thrown on the same skid as the good ones.

Interesting...I was wondering about that.

I'd always thought Die Hard batteries were pretty good.

Is there someplace else I might want to look next time?

tx78756 · July 13, 2004

I seem to go through a Duralast every 2 years or so. The heat down here is pretty hard on them.

snoman · July 13, 2004

Just like everyone else Sears gets die hards from the lowest bidder, I worked for a shop that built custom equipment for the battery industry and I personally watched (won't mention names) batteries fail eol test and just get thrown on the same skid as the good ones.

For many years, Gould made Sears batteries. I have not keep up with it recently to know if they still make them.

txpkup · July 13, 2004

Just like everyone else Sears gets die hards from the lowest bidder, I worked for a shop that built custom equipment for the battery industry and I personally watched (won't mention names) batteries fail eol test and just get thrown on the same skid as the good ones.

ok so you can't mention names on what is bad, but after seeing that for years, can you tell us what brand you buy??

tryn2lrn · July 14, 2004

I buy the GM battery, not that it is in any way an endorsement, but I got some of them while building equipment for a canadian GM plant a few years back and they held up pretty well. But they are probably bought from the lowest bidder willing to build to their specs as well. I know a few years ago Exide built batteries for tons of people and they just stuck whatever label was necessary on them. They are probably like oil filters, there are only a few plants that make them and they build them to different quality standards. I have been out of that industry for a few years but at that time the spiral wrap batteries were supposed to be the best. The next thing was supposed to be the twin battery, use 75% of the space for the main battery and have a rotary dial on top for an "emergency" 25% backup to start the car in case the main one failed. I guess that one didn't work out well since I haven't seen those on the shelves.