2003 Suburban Intermittent Electrical Trouble

[Sleddriver]

I am having intermittent electrical troubles with my new 2003 Suburban. First, my wife went out to start it after it had been sitting for about three days and it was completely dead. The tow-truck driver had to jump-start it to move it to get it onto the tow truck. The dealer service dept. couldn't find anything wrong.

On a recent four-day out of town weekend, we had numerous electrical "Gremlins" - the alarm or panic system activated on it's own, the radio came on and the windows powered without the key being in the ignition (after the doors had been opened and closed), then the automatic headlights would not turn on by themselves after it got dark. The On-Star even activated, turning off the CD player and ringing somebodies phone for about ten rings (we didn't activate any minutes on the On-Star system).

The dealer's service department has repeatedly attempted to diagnose the problems, but they have never been able to duplicate any of the malfunctions. A call to GM Engineering gave them some possible causes to investigate, but all turned up negative.

Has anybody experienced anything similar? Any information would be helpful. Please help!!! Thank you.

[SchellSchock]

My 2003 Burb was having similar problems. The "Body-Control computer" needed to be re-programmed. This is a known problem with the Autoride system. seems if the steering wheel is left in a certain position it does not disconnect when the key is removed so it cycles on-off and drains battery

[Sleddriver]

SchellSchock, thanks for the information.

Sleddriver

[SchellSchock]

Did the dealer find the problem???

[fkellehe]

Did you ever have a solution to this problem ? I have a 2003 tahoe with the same issue, if it sits for a period of time it is dead.

[SchellSchock]

fkellehe...
Yeh they just did a reprogram of the "Body Control Module" and I haven't had a problem since. There is a TSB on this so dealer should know about it.

[fkellehe]

Thanks for the information if you know the tsb number please let me know but thanks again for your help this has been very frustrating.

[fkellehe]

the tsb or recall number is 02066 and the nhtsa number is 10000015. This issue affected several models, cadiallac, tahoe, suburban and pickups.
The model numbers for the tahoe are 3r1000009-3r181251 made in the Arlington Plant. model numbers 3j1000001-3j179899 made in the Janesville Plant. Thanks again for those who responded.

[fkellehe]

Dealer checked updates tsb numbers etc all upto date. Problem still exist anybody else had this issue with a 2003 tahoe LT please let me know.

[toivo]

check your main ground cable from your battery. have your alternator checked, if one diode is bad the battery will go dead,or if voltage regulator is fussing.

[fkellehe]

Problem has been solved, the wiring harness under the power driver seat had a wire that had been fraid from the seat moving froward an backward. The short showed signs of a 20 second pulse (short). This would drain the battery over night.

[Sleddriver]

We went to arbitration with the manufacturer through the BBB's AutoLine program. The manufacturer stated our Suburban was not involved in the recall for the Body Module - they said we didn't let the battery charge enough when we bought it. We suspect problems with the key fob, but nobody can find anything wrong. Haven't been driving it much, so no new problems. I will check for the short under the seat and the grounding wire as well. Charging system checked out okay, so I don't suspect diodes. Will keep plugging away at it... Thanks for all of the posts.

[fkellehe]

Originally Posted by Sleddriver

We went to arbitration with the manufacturer through the BBB's AutoLine program. The manufacturer stated our Suburban was not involved in the recall for the Body Module - they said we didn't let the battery charge enough when we bought it. We suspect problems with the key fob, but nobody can find anything wrong. Haven't been driving it much, so no new problems. I will check for the short under the seat and the grounding wire as well. Charging system checked out okay, so I don't suspect diodes. Will keep plugging away at it... Thanks for all of the posts.

I recieved my Taho back and after I inspected the wireing harness under one seat I went through them all. The dealer wrapped all the wires in tape and the one that was causing the short was in the track of the seat(causing the short). This would pulse every 20 to 30 seconds. I did hear that there was a service bulletin on this but I coul not find it. If I find it I will post the results.

[Detail'nDude]

Hello,
This is my first post in this forum. So I apolagize in advance if I do something wrong. I have a 2003 Z71 Burb. It is dead after a day or so as well. Good battery new alternator . It does have a sound system,TV and a Remote starter that have all been checked out as not drawing from the battery when parked and shut off. I am blown away at what it could be. The dealership said bring it down for $80 we'll do a diagnostic. Well the problem is I am not going to keep giving people $80-$100 to tell me "I don't know". I did read about the recall but it did not apply to my Burb.
Thanks for any Help !
Have a Great One !