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Multiple intermittent electrical faults - could they be related?
- TIMtheELT
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2 months 3 weeks ago #91951
by TIMtheELT
Multiple intermittent electrical faults - could they be related? was created by TIMtheELT
2005 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LT 4WD.
I have multiple electrical faults, that reappear, even after replacing parts. I'm wondering if they could possibly be related to a single fault that might not be freely presenting itself.
I've this vehicle since 2010 and I've been fighting these issues since about 2019. Could these faults possibly be tied together? Or are they most like separate issues?
I have multiple electrical faults, that reappear, even after replacing parts. I'm wondering if they could possibly be related to a single fault that might not be freely presenting itself.
- 4WD errors - The 4WD system goes on independent ops at random. Sometimes 4 low, sometimes 4 high, sometimes no lights at all. I've replaced the selector switch and the t-case motor. The t-case motor was replaced multiple times by a local shop. Turning the engine off and on again usually resets the error and allows me to put it back in 2 - high.
- Front airbag (service airbag) light cycles on and off at random. No parts replaced yet since the error is intermittent.
- Check engine light comes on and off at random due to Bank 1 knock sensor low voltage. No parts replaced yet since the error is intermittent.
- Charging system failure. I keep killing alternators. I've replaced multiple components in the charging system chasing a possible fault, but alternators keep dying on me. New battery, New reman alternator, new voltage feedback sensor, new reman pcm.
I've this vehicle since 2010 and I've been fighting these issues since about 2019. Could these faults possibly be tied together? Or are they most like separate issues?
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- andrew.hammes
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2 months 3 weeks ago #91952
by andrew.hammes
Replied by andrew.hammes on topic Multiple intermittent electrical faults - could they be related?
There is a ground on the body mount below the driver's floor board. Take off the ground bolt and grind down to clean metal. Check for corrosion and any bad wires in the thick loom. Its a spot that gets hit constantly with tire spray and debris and Chevy's rust bad
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- TIMtheELT
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2 months 2 weeks ago #91967
by TIMtheELT
Replied by TIMtheELT on topic Multiple intermittent electrical faults - could they be related?
I looked in the spot recommended and don't have rust or beat up wires. Do you recommend I cut open the undamaged, original wire bundle even though it shows, no signs of wear or damage? I tried to add pictures, but they keep failing to load.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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- Chad
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2 months 2 weeks ago #91969
by Chad
"Knowledge is a weapon. Arm yourself, well, before going to do battle."
"Understanding a question is half an answer."
I have learned more by being wrong, than I have by being right.
Replied by Chad on topic Multiple intermittent electrical faults - could they be related?
Do any of these problems occur at the same time? Or, are they each completely random and independent of each other?
The knock sensor and the alternator would share a common ground, being the engine block. Grab a volt meter and connect the negative lead to the negative battery post. Touch the positive lead to the engine block and read the meter, with the engine running. Your meter should read very close to zero volts. If you see any voltage higher than 100 mV, you can suspect a bad engine block ground.
Here is a schematic of the Ground Distribution. These grounds can be checked in the same manner as the engine block. Connect the negative lead to the negative battery post, and test the Ground Wires at or as close to the component as you can. Do your ground testing while a suspected fault is present.
If you do not find any bad, commonly shared grounds, then I would suspect that each of these faults are not related, and should be treated and tested as separate faults.
If you would like a schematic for a specific system, I would be happy to post it for you.
Good luck!
The knock sensor and the alternator would share a common ground, being the engine block. Grab a volt meter and connect the negative lead to the negative battery post. Touch the positive lead to the engine block and read the meter, with the engine running. Your meter should read very close to zero volts. If you see any voltage higher than 100 mV, you can suspect a bad engine block ground.
Here is a schematic of the Ground Distribution. These grounds can be checked in the same manner as the engine block. Connect the negative lead to the negative battery post, and test the Ground Wires at or as close to the component as you can. Do your ground testing while a suspected fault is present.
If you do not find any bad, commonly shared grounds, then I would suspect that each of these faults are not related, and should be treated and tested as separate faults.
If you would like a schematic for a specific system, I would be happy to post it for you.
Good luck!
"Knowledge is a weapon. Arm yourself, well, before going to do battle."
"Understanding a question is half an answer."
I have learned more by being wrong, than I have by being right.

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