2002 Chevy Tahoe returned from the dead

2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE
105,000 MILES • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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CHRISTOPHER.NILSON
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wife complained truck would not start. opened up the door and noticed that the dome light was on so i assumed the battery was good. turned the key and got nothing but a bunch of clicks from under the hood. after another attempt at starting it the cooling fan started up and turned on and off several times and continued after i removed the key. tried starting it again and it started. when i returned home from work that evening i figured that i would check it out again. this time when i opened the door not one light came on. first attempt to start the truck was not successful. each time i turned to key to the 'on' position something would start to work. first the 'service engine soon' light, then the a/c fans, dome light, then finally everything came on. i tried to start it a second time and it started but idled very rough. after about a minute it was running smoothly. turned it off and it started up no problem. it does have a half second starter lag when first cranked but always starts. about a month ago i got a knock sensor warning but has gone away after filling up with premium.
Dec 2, 2008 at 8:39 PM
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JAMES W.
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This may sound a little over simplified, but do you have a battery or body ground cable that's arcing? Please advise.
Dec 2, 2008 at 9:28 PM
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CHRISTOPHER.NILSON
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Not the battery. Not sure about body ground cable though. Lot of activity coming from the fuse box when I tryto start it. I didn't notice any loose wires or connections anywhere in the fuse panel. Is that where I should be looking?
Dec 2, 2008 at 10:14 PM
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JAMES W.
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Most of your main power feeds come from where the battery positive cable attaches to the starter solenoid. Check to see if these connections are clean and tight.
Dec 3, 2008 at 12:13 PM
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CHRISTOPHER.NILSON
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i cannot find any loose or corroded connections coming off of the battery. do you think it could be as simple as a bad battery or overcharging alternator?
Dec 4, 2008 at 7:40 AM
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JAMES W.
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Yes, it could be battery/charging system. You can check both with a volt meter as follows:
Charging system: With engine running all accessories off, test accross both battery terminals. The voltage should be between 14 & 15.5 volts. If the voltage is outside of this range, alternator is bad.
Battery: Engine off, volt meter, again, on battery terminals. Crank engine. Voltage should not drop below 12 volts. If engine starts too soon the get an accurate reading you may have to pull the fuel pump relay so it won't start and cranks longer. Let me know.
Dec 4, 2008 at 10:15 AM