It’s not an easy project to take on. I looked into it for our 08 YXL Denali. The diagnostic time, labor, parts and huge cost immediately made it a no go.
09 & 10 are controlled thru the BCM that does self diagnostics at each start up. There’s a (TED) module that both heats and cools the air. 11-14 models are fan vented only with traditional seat heating elements.
Instead of fixing all the clear coat failures with a full respray, replacing the cracked dash and dealing with our pistons slap we got a 09 Esky Platinum ESV and sold the Denali to a private party. That swap cost us $1200 2.5 years ago.
As long as you’re not in an immediate need to buy, finding an 09+ or later truck optioned for long term ownership is well with it. I flew to TX and drove it back to CA after an inspection company verified ours at a Lexus dealer.
Thank you for the insights. I was hoping that a pin-out would be my only change, or a different key-on powered circuit.
I don't know what is up with the 2007-09 Denali trucks with piston slap. The best one I owned was a 2007, had 227k on it when I got rid of it (should've just kept it). My '09 had bad slap to the point I traded it off on a 2017 due to oil consumption. My '08 is my beater I got from CA in 2021, but it has piston slap every time it starts up. It goes away.......eventually. Still, super frustrating. No oil consumption, just leakage from the rear main seal. Again, WTF GM?
I hear you on the cracked dash BS as well. I really like this generation of truck for the drivetrain, ride quality, seats, etc, but they don't seem to age very well. It does seem like the Escalades have better quality dash and interior panels which is nice. I shouldn't rag on them too much. Mine has taken me on hundreds of miles of off pavement driving and mountain trails, and got me back home again from NM, CO, and WY without any complaining. Just stinks that the interior got so cheaped out on.
I can't believe the price difference in E85 to Premium!!!! That's absolutely nuts! I'd do the same thing. I like how they run on E85, just not the fuel economy. But, at that price difference, the cost per mile is super cheap. What kind of mpg are you getting now that the engine computer has become accustomed to that fuel on a regular basis?