2007 Avalanche

I am the maintenance officer for my local fire department, we have a 2007 Chevy Avalanche 4x4 LS with 5.3 litre V8. The problem I am having is that when the vehicle is idling for a period of time with the warning lights on the low idle RPMs of 750 are not enough to maintain the battery, resulting in the battery being run down enough to the point it will not restart the vehicle. Is there any way I can adjust the RPMs to 1,000 so the Alternator will put out enough current to maintain the battery with the warning lights on?

For decades now, much commercial equipment, (like trucks, tractors, loaders etc. ) need extra revs to run hydraulic equipment, electrical equipment or PTO's. Most of them come with throttle kickers.
Usually its a simple pull-knob mounted on the dash. You pull the knob, which pulls on a cable attached to the throttle linkage somewhere and opens the throttle just a bit. . They are adjustable so pulling the knob gives you the needed extra revs and no more. Push the knob in and revs return to normal.

The better pull-knobs have a locking ring so they will hold the rpm regardless of how strong the throttle return springs are.

You should be able to get a kit to install one at a farm supply or farm tractor store, industrial equipment store, etc. You might need to be a little inventive in adapting it for your specific vehicle, but it should not be too difficult.

You can get an electric kicker solenoid that activates same time as the extra equipment, that way you never forget to shut off the dash knob. Let me know if you can't find the solenoid, i will look it up again as it was afew years ago I installed one.

Is the truck run on the factory battery and alternator?

If not, in addition to the kicker, an high power battery (Kinetic comes to mind) and alternator (at least 140amps) would be ideal.

You can get an electric kicker solenoid that activates same time as the extra equipment, that way you never forget to shut off the dash knob. Let me know if you can't find the solenoid, i will look it up again as it was afew years ago I installed one.


If you could please let me know where I can get the electric kicker from I would greatly appreciate it very much. I have spoken to the warning equipment manufacturer and found another way to wire it so it does not drain the battery while in the station however that does not solve my idle issue, but your suggestion seems to be my idle solution.

Is the truck run on the factory battery and alternator?

If not, in addition to the kicker, an high power battery (Kinetic comes to mind) and alternator (at least 140amps) would be ideal.

Yes, it is all factory equipment, and should be able to handle the LED lighting at a higher idle RPM.

Found it in my paperwork. We used a generic trunk release solenoid, it has a cable attached to the solenoid we attached to the throttle and adjusted the high rpm with the placement of the solenoid. Any sterio shop or somewhere that installs car starters should be able to get the part. Another option if you can figure out how to mount and place it would be the a/c high idle solenoid off a rochester carberator as it is a solid solenoid that is adjustable. might be hard to mount it on this style of throttle body though. The trunk release solenoid should be easier as the solenoid body is mounted remotely from the throttle body and it is just a cable attachment. Just make sure you dont have it set too high at first. I have one left here so i can take a picture if that helps but i can't seem to figure out how to post a picture here. message me if you want it emailed to you.