|
| | |
|
|
lawyervon
New User
Oct 22, 2006, 8:21 AM
Post #1 of 5
(2457 views)
|
|
2002 Tahoe won't start
|
Sign In
|
|
The other night, my wife left the dome light on for several hours while loading the car a trip. When it came time to leave, the power would start up, and the starter would click, click, click, but the engine would not turn over. We pulled out the booster cables and proceeding to jumpstart the Tahoe. After several minutes of charging, it still would not start. We tried for about an hour to jumpstart the Tahoe - allowing several minutes between each start attempt. Everything would light up and the starter would click, click, click, click, but would not turn over. We eventually had to take the trip in the other car.
Last night, when we got back in town, I tried again. Same thing. I gave it lots of time to charge through jumpstarting, but every time I tried to start the Tahoe, everything would light up and it would just click, click, click, click until I stopped trying. If I tried too much, it was clear the battery was running down. I would let it charge some more, try again, and same thing. I never got it to turn over.
What's wrong here?
|
|
| |
|
|
steve01832
Veteran
Oct 22, 2006, 9:19 AM
Post #2 of 5
(2454 views)
|
|
Re: 2002 Tahoe won't start
|
Sign In
|
|
Unfortunately I don't see batteries last as long as they should these days. If the battery was drained too much it may have taken its last breath out of it. If it's the original it is 5 years old and that's about the average life span. Put a meter across the battery terminals and see what the voltage reads when you try to crank the engine over. If it holds at 12, you may have a bad connection or a bad starter. If it drops way down, replace the battery and check the charging system.
Steve
|
|
| |
|
|
lawyervon
New User
Oct 22, 2006, 9:31 AM
Post #3 of 5
(2452 views)
|
|
Re: 2002 Tahoe won't start
|
Sign In
|
|
Well, I got a neighbor involved. After several tries and moving the jumper cable negative ground to several different spots on the Tahoe, we finally must have found the magic spot and it STARTED. Thanks for the help -- actually, the tester idea is really helpful advice, and I'm probably going to get a tester so I can troubleshoot better next time.
|
|
| |
|
|
steve01832
Veteran
Oct 22, 2006, 9:41 AM
Post #4 of 5
(2451 views)
|
|
Re: 2002 Tahoe won't start
|
Sign In
|
|
Glad I could help.
Steve
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 22, 2006, 1:11 PM
Post #5 of 5
(2449 views)
|
|
Re: 2002 Tahoe won't start
|
Sign In
|
|
Steve said and I'll repeat. This is battery week here and know that they are toast after so many years and I will say 3-4 years and they don't do well going dead and that will speed up their demise.
I'll get shot at here but buy quality stuff and forget the big chain dept stores for batteries. The handling of the new battery counts. They should not be on their side, dropped or mishandled in any way. This is a spot where the joy of low price will NOT exceed the joy of high quality.
You run the risk of needing a very expensive alternator if you fool around with this, T
|
|
| |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
Strut spring orientation and strut mount tension nut
Please Help - Knock sound & engine fail
Brake Seals Bulging
