Need Help with 1999 Tahoe Electrical Issues!

[derekw7]

I have a 99 Tahoe 4 door, 4x4, with 123000 miles.

Starting on Thursday, I've had serious electrical issues. While driving, the radio turned off by itself, then back on, then the entire tahoe died while moving - no lights, no noises, nothing - just as if the battery was totally disconnected. I rolled into a parking space. A couple hours later, still not working - remote would not open the doors, turning key did absolutely nothing (no lights, no clicking, etc.). I tightened both the positive and ground cables on the battery and then the truck started up without problem.

On Sunday, while sitting stopped in traffic, the dash lights would flutter and the engine would died without feathering the RPMs up to 1500-2000 or so. Finally, it got to the point where it would start while gassing it a bit, but then immediately shut off.

Took it to a mechanic yesterday (via tow truck). They removed and cleaned the positive battery cables (stacked). That seemed to allow the tahoe to run properly.

However, now the power door locks are working intermittently, and the factory remote does not lock or unlock the doors. The shop had to remove the alarm module because the alarm was preventing the engine from starting, horn was honking, etc. Pressing the door lock switch on the driver's door will lock and unlock a few times, then stops working for a while. Even when it works, it will not unlock the rear passenger doors, although it does unlock the barn doors in the back. Before the problem on Thursday, the remote and power door locks all worked perfectly.

Does anyone know whats going on? I see that other people have had problems with the stacked battery cables - but that should have been resolved through removal and cleaning. But why are the door locks all screwy now?? Thanks for any help here.

[WHATDIDYOUBREAKNOW]

Loose Battery Wire

[derekw7]

Thanks -- the shop removed, cleaned, and reattached the battery cables, so I'm sure they are tight

[2000CAYukon]

Both ends of both cables?

//2000CAYukon

[WHATDIDYOUBREAKNOW]

chevy in it infinite wisdom routes the wires so the weight of them loosens the terminal screw

[derekw7]

I assume, but am not sure, if they checked the other end (still in the shop) -- I will find out.

But I dont think a loose cable could cause the new doorlock issue, particularly when the truck isnt moving, considering that other electrical now comes on OK (like dome light, etc.) . . . Thoughts?

[J-Ri]

There are "claws" on the cable ends that dig into the soft lead on the battery, in addition to friction, preventing them from turning as long as the bolt was tight to begin with.

[WHATDIDYOUBREAKNOW]

exactly..soft lead

[mmoss10]

Originally Posted by WHATDIDYOUBREAKNOW

Lose Battery Wire

If you lose the dadgum battery wire, then how you gonna get the sparktricity to the battery?

[derekw7]

So... looks like we are up and running for the most part. After cleaning the battery terminals and connectors, there is a good solid connection.

The door lock issue turned out to be a lesser problem: The front actuators are starting to go bad, so when you lock/unlock rapidly, they stop working for about 15 seconds or so. If you just lock or unlock once every 10 seconds, they work just fine.

2 questions...

1) How do I get the actuators out of the door?

2) Anyone have a suggestion where to get the actuators at a good price?

Thanks for the help