Need Help !! 2000 Suburban

[dstrass]

Hello all !!

I have a 2000 suburban I bought about 3 weeks ago and am having a starting issue already. There is a whining noise coming from the alternator to start with. The battery is a NAPA 75 says shipped in 02, and when I charge it, it takes a charge in about 45 minutes. The truck will start after this, and sometimes will be fine for a couple days. After that it will just click and wont kick the starter out. Here is whats weird. When this happens, the starter will disengage when you turn the key off, but will engage again three more times, clicking against the flywheel all three times and stop. I can charge the battery and its fine, or I can jump it and it runs. But when I jump it it wont restart again, I have to charge the battery to get any longevity on starting. I am leaning towards the alternator, I had it checked and it put out enough amps, and all of a sudden dropped during the test. It checked ok but the guy at autozone thought a diode might be going out, especially with the whining sound coming from it. What do you all think ??


Thanks !!!

Dave

[Thunderbolt]

if it is whining I would replace it even if it isn't the problem. Have you had the battery load tested ?

[dstrass]

Replaced alternator, much quieter now !! Drove it for awhile today and now it starts OK. The starter seems to be a little sluggish though. I will know more in the morning if the battery has drawn down or not. There doesnt seem to be anything running in the vehicle when its off, that I can hear or see. It does have a DEI Rattler remote start and keyless entry, on top of the factory keyless entry. If there is a battery draw I will suspect it is that. The only other two things that I am knowledgeable about would be the battery and starter.


Thanks !!!

Dave

[Thunderbolt]

I just thought of a problem my brother had with his 03. His battery was going dead every day or so and they traced the drain to a bad instrument cluster. I would have the battery load tested at least a couple times. I have seen batteries pass and 10 minutes later the car won't start. After several tests the battery finally showed a full charge and as soon as I put a load on it fell flat on its face. New battery and problem solved. Make sure there is no corrosion under the plastic boot on the pos cable also. GM's with side terminals are notorious for having the battery leak where the bolt holds the cable and corrode the cable inside while looking fine from the outside. When this happens all sorts of problems can arrise, From drivability to lights etc...

[dstrass]

I put a new battery in this morning, it wasn't putting out enough to start it, so I put in a new battery. If it drains then I will look into whats draining it. So far I have found nothing that stays on when I shut it off. So far it has done good all day, the old battery didn't start it when it was fully charged, hopefully thats all it is. Don't think I could get that lucky !!!

[dstrass]

Well so far so good, two days and its been starting with no problems. I dont know if the whining alternator caused the old battery to go bad or what, but since a new alternator and battery everythings been fine, KNOCK ON WOOD !!!!

Thanks !!!!

Dave