2002 Yukon - Elec. problem/ battery disconnect

HALO555 · December 8, 2006

Hoping somebody has any ideas concerning my 2002 Yukon's electrical problems. The symptoms are the battery seems to start draining down then it will just completely go dead and the care will stall. At this point there will be no power whatsoever. Or after having parked the vehicle anyhwere and turned it off it simply won't crank since there is no power. The stange thing is that at some undetermined time later, I can restart the car no problem and the battery guage will be reading fine.

This had been going on for about a year and started getting worse recently. The battery had started leaking so it was changed, but this did not solve the problem since the vehicle has the same symptoms.

The Yukon is a the GMC dealership accruing labor time as they scratch their heads. Any ideas/questions ?

GM-Tech · December 8, 2006

Once the truck is running, the alternator should put out enough to keep it running even if the battery is low/dead. If it dies due to a dead battery when it's running, it sounds like you might be intermittently losing charging system voltage. Why, I don't know. It's not common.

HALO555 · December 8, 2006

Once the truck is running, the alternator should put out enough to keep it running even if the battery is low/dead. If it dies due to a dead battery when it's running, it sounds like you might be intermittently losing charging system voltage. Why, I don't know. It's not common.

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GM-Tech, thanks for your reply. I don't think the battery is exactly dead. It just acts like the battery is completely dead or disconnected somehow. I've read some other posts where it was mentioned that the positive battery cables were recommended being replaced. My dealer is hesitant to replace these saying they are not sure that is the problem.

GM-Tech · December 8, 2006

The only bad battery cables I've seen is when the end that connects to the battery is eaten up by an acid leak, like you said you had. You should have the type of cables where the battery end plastic cover just slips over the terminal rather than being molded onto the cable. You can just pull those covers off and take a look at the eyelet and the cable itself. Any damage should be obvious.

HALO555 · December 8, 2006

The only bad battery cables I've seen is when the end that connects to the battery is eaten up by an acid leak, like you said you had. You should have the type of cables where the battery end plastic cover just slips over the terminal rather than being molded onto the cable. You can just pull those covers off and take a look at the eyelet and the cable itself. Any damage should be obvious.

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Thanks again. Yes, you are right about the covers. No obvious damage when I looked and the dealer must think the same since they are hesitant to replace it. I think they were charging about $120 labor to replace the postive cable which was exactly $113.18 for the cable itself. I mentioned the cable because other posts have mentioned that the cable looks good on the outside, but corrodes or degrades from the inside.

Tough one to figure out over the net, but thanks a million. I promise to post once the issue is hopefully resolved.

GM-Tech · December 9, 2006

I mentioned the cable because other posts have mentioned that the cable looks good on the outside, but corrodes or degrades from the inside.

I haven't seen this unless it starts at the end that connects to the battery. It doesn't just appear in they middle of the cable somewhere. I have seen them corroded all the way from one end to the other with battery acid leaks. Some have been so bad that the starter looks like a ball of white fuzz from the acid that ran down the insulation. Again, the end at the battery would be in horrible shape. If it's clean as a whistle, you can be pretty sure the cable is okay.

HALO555 · December 9, 2006

I mentioned the cable because other posts have mentioned that the cable looks good on the outside, but corrodes or degrades from the inside.

I haven't seen this unless it starts at the end that connects to the battery. It doesn't just appear in they middle of the cable somewhere. I have seen them corroded all the way from one end to the other with battery acid leaks. Some have been so bad that the starter looks like a ball of white fuzz from the acid that ran down the insulation. Again, the end at the battery would be in horrible shape. If it's clean as a whistle, you can be pretty sure the cable is okay.

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Ok, thanks. I won't push the delear to change the cable unless there is good reason. The dealer has given up, so I'm going to go pick up the car tomorrow and hopefully it won't stall on me.

Mr. Smith · December 10, 2006

I mentioned the cable because other posts have mentioned that the cable looks good on the outside, but corrodes or degrades from the inside.

I haven't seen this unless it starts at the end that connects to the battery. It doesn't just appear in they middle of the cable somewhere. I have seen them corroded all the way from one end to the other with battery acid leaks. Some have been so bad that the starter looks like a ball of white fuzz from the acid that ran down the insulation. Again, the end at the battery would be in horrible shape. If it's clean as a whistle, you can be pretty sure the cable is okay.

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Ok, thanks. I won't push the delear to change the cable unless there is good reason. The dealer has given up, so I'm going to go pick up the car tomorrow and hopefully it won't stall on me.

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My positive cable looked fine on the outside of my 97 GMC and the terminals were clean but it didn't explain the low charging voltage. What I did was slice off the plastics crap covering the wire and I was amazed at the corrosion. also since I had 2 connectors I had twice as much fun cleaning...

In all seriousness I would look inside the positive wire and if you have 2 connection on the positive side you will probably have a lead spacer. Clean it up on both sides as well. I also got rid of the P.O.S. bolt and cut off some threaded 3/8 rod and used a nut to hold it all together. The little stock bolt will strip if tightened too much.

You mileage may vary...

Good Luck

HALO555 · December 10, 2006

As always, thanks for the replies.

The update is that the delear pretty much gave up, so I picked the car up and took it home. The problem/symptoms don't seem to be as bad for now. I do notice the battery/voltage guage sometimes drop a bit to just under 12V when I brake. It's not doing it that much, though. I don't know if this is because the batter is brand new and is helping.

My battery only has one positive battery connection, not two. If I continue to have problems, it may be smarter to change out the entire battery cable.