95 Tahoe Cut out En-Route

[cjmcde]

Hi Folks :

I have 95 Tahoe 4WD 350 - This morning I was on my way to work when some strange things started to occur -

1. The Radio cut out
2. The instrument cluster lit up , Serv Eng, Air Bag, Battery etc
3. The engine started to cut out under load

I feathered it the next mile to keep it moving down the road but once I pulled into the parking lot it died out -

Tried to start it & just got one single "CLICK" when attempting to turn it over ---- Had a friend come out & we jumped it -- It started up --- Battery LIght stayed on and after a mile or so drive , I shut it off & it will not turn over again under its own power ( the lights inside still work etc )

The battery is less than a year old --- Could this be the alternator ?? Any Ideas ??

Thanks

[HammaTime]

I had some of the instruments lights come on this morning while driving to work, on the right side of the panel. Then a few miles down the road, the radio and the outside temp indicator decided to go out for a second. At lunch, I was waiting in a fast food line and the truck died twice in line. I'm wondering what it could be. My battery is less the two years old, but we have had some extreme heat over the past several days.

[SpitAndDirt]

Your positive cable should have tons of corrosion on it I bet. Split the stacked positive cables apart and check. Have your battery checked at the parts store first, make sure your battery is in good shape. But I'm really leaning towards corrosion. -Chris

[cjmcde]

No corrosion -- Battery is less than a year old terminals are covered etc -- Only thing I noted is that the tray is slightly loose but not loose enough to allow contact -- Yesterday afternoon , after sitting all day , it started up --

I think it is the alternator ----- Gonna switch it out this weekend --

[TRANSFORMDEZIGN]

Originally Posted by cjmcde

No corrosion -- Battery is less than a year old terminals are covered etc -- Only thing I noted is that the tray is slightly loose but not loose enough to allow contact -- Yesterday afternoon , after sitting all day , it started up --

I think it is the alternator ----- Gonna switch it out this weekend --

THE TERMINALS ARE KNOWN TO COME LOOSE.

[19Tahoe99]

Originally Posted by TRANSFORMDEZIGN

THE TERMINALS ARE KNOWN TO COME LOOSE.

Just for those who are looking for common problems. I just replaced the battery in my 99 Tahoe. The battery was indeed bad. The reason it failed is a story about the design and interface of the battery cables. The postitive post on this vehicle uses a "stacked " set of cable connections. When the battery was checked the connections to the battery and the exposed cable were clean and the connection should have been ok... but that was not reality. When I seperated the stack of connections the interior was full of corrossion by products... better know as that flaky white s*$#. Being the AR type I am... the cables were pulled apart and cleaned and dipped in a bath of baking soda in water. The battery was replaced with an appropriate Cranking amp/capacity Sears Die Hard. The starting and ghost problems are gone and the vehicle driveablity is again trusted. As for the battery... age and the fact it was being UNDERCHARGED due to the resistive connection contributed to and finally killed the battery... so check behind the connector covers and clean them regularly.

Good Luck