Vehicle will not start intermittently ?

[gcbeaudoin]

I have a 2003 GMC Envoy XL which intermittently will not start. Battery is totally drained, inside lights don't come on nothing. Happens summer, winter, doesn't seem to matter. Nothing seems to be left on that we can tell. Obviously something is draining the battery unsure what? Have you heard of this problem previously. FYI we do not have a car starter on this vehicle. I was under the impression this vehicle was equipped with a batter saver that assures the owner this exact problem will not occur. Is it possible that it's faulty and possibly doing the opposite of it's intended duties? We are at a loss and wondering if anyone out there can help us? Have also read up some and heard mention of an Engine Control Module, could that be the case here and if so what is that? Thanks and sorry so lengthy. Regards from Northern Ontario Chantal

[maxwedge]

Welcome to AF, how do you start it, get a jump then chg the battery? Has anyone checked the elec system, checked for drains, load tested the battery, checked all grounds and cable connections? Very little pertinent info provided here.

[gcbeaudoin]

Yes, we have to jump start then charge. Have checked all grounds and cables all appears in order. Vehicle has also been put on the computer for diagnosis with neg results. I don't believe anyone has load tested the battery although I'm not quite sure what that means? The battery is less than a year old as we thought this might be the problem originally when it first started doing this.
Thanks for your input C.

[maxwedge]

Again has anyone checked for drains when the truck is shut off? The battery should be tested for charge and capacity using a specifc tester for this purpose.

[SportsPhotog]

What did you find out with this? I did a post on a similar problem with my 03, it is an ignition switch (part# 2.188). I have replaced 3 all ready and vehichle is currenlty acting up but not bad enough to get it to duplicate at the dealer so I need to keep driving it and dealing with the issue.

I am curious to see if you replaced this part on yours to fix the problem, if so it will most likely work fine for awhile and then require replacement again but in the bigger picture it may be a re-occuring issue for these vehicles.

[jdmccright]

If it is the original battery, that is what I would suspect first...test the battery for charge and load. If all seems okay and the battery is not too dead (too many deep discharges will deplete the battery electrolyte, killing it), then disconnect the negative terminal and connect the battery to a good battery charger that will let you charge slowly and fully...it may take a day or two. If the battery can't take a full charge, it's dead and will have to be replaced.

If the battery accepts a full charge (~12V), connect an ammeter or multimeter (10A minimum) between the negative terminal and the (still disconnected) negative cable to determine any current draw while the key is off...should be very low. I would disable any car alarm you have installed so that you don't get an earful when you reconnect, and the honking horns and flashing lights will show up as cyclic amperage draws on your ammeter.

Once you see a significant draw, you can begin pulling fuses to isolate the source of the draw. Good luck!

If the truck is equipped with an OEM or after market plug-in battery saver (where you plug it into the house electrical outlet at night), then I would also check the plug and wire for cracked or broken wiring.

[Dank1979]

I have the same issue. On mine, the ignition will stay on in the accessory mode even with the key out. You can check by turning the ignition forward with the key out and see if your battery light turns on. If it does, then that's your problem too.

[Orchid37]

Sounds similiar to problems I am having...have had battery replaced twice, once when out of town; also had feul tank and pump replaced; still noticed a 'pause' after turning key before engine starts; took it to our dealer and they said it was a short in the ignition switch (that was a year ago) two weeks ago it wouldn't start so I locked and unlocked it using the remote lock and it started right up. This morning it wouldn't start at all, had to have it towed to the dealer for a diagnostic test...very frustrating...love this vehicle but very annoyed with recurring problems...any suggestions?

[jdmccright]

Sounds as if the truck doesn't even attempt to start...no clicks, no lights dimming. I'll concur with Maxwedge on a faulty starter relay or poor electrical contact (in a old thread you resurrected), but make sure the battery hasn't been discharged. Also check the alternator output to see if it is providing enough power to recharge the battery, also check all the cables for corrosion or oxidation. Poor contacts can prevent proper recharging and starting.

Also, does the starter seem to turn the engine over a little slower when you notice a pause between turning the key and it attempting to start? Do the interior or dash lights dim? Another sign of a partially discharged battery.

[tikiironpig]

I have a 2002 Envoy and have replaced the battery 3 times in the last 6 yrs. The problem sounds like the ones listed here. I have had the battery tested and they say the battery is bad. The second battery i went to Walmart and purchased a replacement. When it went bad i was told i got the wrong one, not enough cold cranking amps. Ok so i got the one it called for and it lasted about a 1yr and 3 months. I asked why it went bad the guy at the parts store said sometimes they just go bad.I should mention the original battery had to be replaced because it was leaking acid. I have checked th cables to the best of my abbility and did not locate anything indicating they needed replacing. I have also had the fuel sending unit replaced. Just prior to replacing the battery with the lower cranking amps i ran out of gas but the gauge showed a 1/4 of a tank but after replacing the battery the gauge started working properly again. I have also noticed a delay in the vehicle starting when the ignition switch is turned. now i am noticing a new problem. When you start the vehicle there is a clicking noise. Sounds like it is coming from under the dash. i have not done any load testing on the electrical system nor have i had it checked for a code of any kind. Im sure there is a simple solution to this but i dont have a clue as to what it could be. any word of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

[maxwedge]

Welcome to AF, simple solution, not likely. First the entire electrical system needs to be checked, charging voltage/amperage under load. Cable resistances ground and positive cables. My 2002 had the battery fail after 4 years same issue, there has been no problem since, your failure rate is certainly abnormal. The clicking may or may not be related to the existing problem, the cranking delay could be an indication of a failing ign switch which is common, and/or the starter relay

[tikiironpig]

Well after reading numerous other post about the clicking noise i kept seeing a common response about the a/c door,forget actual name, but anyways the next time i was in the vehicle i decided to do a test. after i cranked it i heard the noise again, i turned the control from the max setting to the defrost setting, didnt hear the noise. but when i moved it back to the max, knowing the doors would be moving to redirect the air, i heard it...thanks for the help on that part. i will still have to do some testing on the other problems...again thanxs.

[maxwedge]

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