I think I have some Gremlins, anyone know of any fixes?

[malibukid71]

I have had my 08 Yukon Denali for almost 2 years and I really like the truck. Over this time a few things have stopped working and they really didn't bother me too much until the latest one yesterday. I don't think my heated washer fluid nor my rear defroster have worked since I got the truck. Then the rear wiper stopped working, next was the button on the liftgate handle to open it. The liftgate still opens with the remote and the button on the inside. The button on the bottom edge of the liftgate still works as well. The one last night that has put upset me was my power running boards. My wife was using it last night to pick our kids up from the after school activities and there is a 30 minute window between when they get done. Somehow she managed to run my battery dead but she got it jumped and it has started fine since. Since letting the battery die the running boards have not moved and are stuck in the closed position. I was thinking fuses but I just looked and from a visual inspection the running board fuse looked fine. At 5' 4" I really those running boards to make it easier to get into the truck. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[swathdiver]

Low voltage and bad batteries wreak havoc with these modern autos. It would be nice to hook up a Tech2 or advanced scan tool and test out the running boards and check the internal trouble codes. They running boards might need to be reset. Not sure as mine does not have that option. It's time for an overhaul, get all those little things fixed before it gets out of hand and sours y'all to it.

 

[Big Mama]

The heated washer fluid was a recall on my 07 they had fires so they pulled and capped the fuse. I’m with Chris in your voltage. The rear hatch opener goes bad but usually just needs the contacts cleaned. If your heated washer fluid worked at one point take it to dealer for recall they’ll send you $100 bucks.

 

[swathdiver]

The heated washer fluid was a recall on my 07 they had fires so they pulled and capped the fuse. I’m with Chris in your voltage. The rear hatch opener goes bad but usually just needs the contacts cleaned. If your heated washer fluid worked at one point take it to dealer for recall they’ll send you $100 bucks.

The original company that made the little unit went belly up. But another makes an improved unit that isn't so hot allowing you to restore that option safely is so desired.

 

[Big Mama]

The original company that made the little unit went belly up. But another makes an improved unit that isn't so hot allowing you to restore that option safely is so desired.

Do you know if it’s plug and play?

 

[swathdiver]

Do you know if it’s plug and play?

Yep, looked just like the original last time I looked. I think it was even sold on Amazon.

 

[jyi786]

Another thing worth mentioning? GROUND WIRE. Please don't forget how important that is (and how cheap it is as well!).

I started having electrical gremlins. I thought it was strange because I had dual batteries. Things were just acting "weak" or a bit "flaky". Then my navigation started shutting off randomly during driving, but nothing major enough to cause concern.

I ordered and changed the ground wire. Voila, like magic, all the gremlins disappeared. Interestingly enough, it also fixed the voltage droop. These trucks fluctuate between 12V and 15V normally. Some people have been alarmed that's been the case. Before I changed the ground wire, my voltage would fluctuate wildly between 12V and 15V. I always chalked it up to normal operation. Since changing to the new ground cable, it's always steady between 14.4V and 15V; never higher or lower.

So yeah, try your ground cable as well.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Another thing worth mentioning? GROUND WIRE. Please don't forget how important that is (and how cheap it is as well!).

I started having electrical gremlins. I thought it was strange because I had dual batteries. Things were just acting "weak" or a bit "flaky". Then my navigation started shutting off randomly during driving, but nothing major enough to cause concern.

I ordered and changed the ground wire. Voila, like magic, all the gremlins disappeared. Interestingly enough, it also fixed the voltage droop. These trucks fluctuate between 12V and 15V normally. Some people have been alarmed that's been the case. Before I changed the ground wire, my voltage would fluctuate wildly between 12V and 15V. I always chalked it up to normal operation. Since changing to the new ground cable, it's always steady between 14.4V and 15V; never higher or lower.

So yeah, try your ground cable as well.

Which ground cable did you change?

 

[jyi786]

Which ground cable did you change?

The one coming off the main battery, grounding to the engine and the chassis.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PM32Q02

 

[malibukid71]

Thanks for all the ideas everyone. I did go through the fuses with a fine tooth comb and even replaced a few with new that didn't look blown with no luck. I did get a new battery and new bulbs for my break lights thinking I had one burned out. Found it just isn't working, so I get to add that to the list. I'm not good with checking wiring so I will have to pay someone. I may try to change the battery ground wire if it isn't too hard with it's routing. It is very cold these days so I might just wait till things warm up and deal with pulling my short butt up into it.

 

[BG1988]

I have had my 08 Yukon Denali for almost 2 years and I really like the truck. Over this time a few things have stopped working and they really didn't bother me too much until the latest one yesterday. I don't think my heated washer fluid

there was a recall for them overheating maybe it got disabled check the fuse (it was disabled the 2nd recall though)

 

[89Suburban]

The one coming off the main battery, grounding to the engine and the chassis.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PM32Q02

How involved is it getting this cable replaced/accessibility? Last time I had to dig around the back side of that motor I bumped the heater hose and wound up with a broken damned fitting. I'm wondering if I do this my compass mirror will stop acting like an ass.

 

[jyi786]

How involved is it getting this cable replaced/accessibility? Last time I had to dig around the back side of that motor I bumped the heater hose and wound up with a broken damned fitting. I'm wondering if I do this my compass mirror will stop acting like an ass.

It's not difficult per se. It's a PITA, because the chassis point that GM chose is on the front right hand of the vehicle, on the metal frame, right behind the bumper cover. This means you will NOT be able to see it unless you remove the entire bumper front cover. You will either only be able to feel it, or use a mirror to see it. Other than that, it's a very straight forward remove and replace.

 

[thompsoj22]

I have had my 08 Yukon Denali for almost 2 years and I really like the truck. Over this time a few things have stopped working and they really didn't bother me too much until the latest one yesterday. I don't think my heated washer fluid nor my rear defroster have worked since I got the truck. Then the rear wiper stopped working, next was the button on the liftgate handle to open it. The liftgate still opens with the remote and the button on the inside. The button on the bottom edge of the liftgate still works as well. The one last night that has put upset me was my power running boards. My wife was using it last night to pick our kids up from the after school activities and there is a 30 minute window between when they get done. Somehow she managed to run my battery dead but she got it jumped and it has started fine since. Since letting the battery die the running boards have not moved and are stuck in the closed position. I was thinking fuses but I just looked and from a visual inspection the running board fuse looked fine. At 5' 4" I really those running boards to make it easier to get into the truck. Anyone have any ideas?

Replace the battery unless it is relatively new, 30 minutes using the stereo/dvd or whatever should not create a no start condition. As stated the ground circuit is critical and factory fubar on these vehicles. I have the same year/model. I replaced the alternator, positive cable from **** fuse to alternator, added a ground from alternator case directly to battery ground, replaced the battery temp/charge module on the ground cable and now have a reliable system. if your battery is in good condition than it isnt being charged effectively. if your not mechanically inclined than this procedure could go very wrong in regard to polarity so find a shop/mech you can trust which imo is the biggest challenge you currently have. there is also a positive cable **** fuse 125 amp on the firewall and it may be coroded/fractured. Alternator $175, Module $26, **** fuse $8, cables/connectors $25. cost to configure/install by a "competent mech that cares" unknown????


Also, i am new to the yukon denali xl and am confused as to why it is refered to as a truck? or is your vehicle a pu truck with the yukon denali badging? i know it's a dumb question!

 

[Scottydoggs]

they maybe listed as a suv, but its a truck. sits on a truck frame, shares the front half of other trucks, its a truck all day long in my book.

 

[thompsoj22]

they maybe listed as a suv, but its a truck. sits on a truck frame, shares the front half of other trucks, its a truck all day long in my book.

Ok, now i get the phraseology. Im 59 and from my era a truck implied a box behind the cab? Go to the hardware store and get a yard of gravel and tell the guy that your truck is parked by the loader and see if he dosent scratch his head looking for a truck! lol!

 

[Scottydoggs]

Ok, now i get the phraseology. Im 59 and from my era a truck implied a box behind the cab? Go to the hardware store and get a yard of gravel and tell the guy that your truck is parked by the loader and see if he dosent scratch his head looking for a truck! lol!

i agree. in the end its just missing the bed, then it would still be a 1/2 ton truck. not to many 1/2 suv's that can tow up to 8,000 lbs out there. and they can plow snow if you wanted to. light trucks like jeeps and little suv's dont have the weight to be good plow trucks. kinda makes it a truck still. i think they classify it as a suv for insurance or marketing BS.

 

[kbuskill]

Ok, now i get the phraseology. Im 59 and from my era a truck implied a box behind the cab? Go to the hardware store and get a yard of gravel and tell the guy that your truck is parked by the loader and see if he dosent scratch his head looking for a truck! lol!

i agree. in the end its just missing the bed, then it would still be a 1/2 ton truck. not to many 1/2 suv's that can tow up to 8,000 lbs out there. and they can plow snow if you wanted to. light trucks like jeeps and little suv's dont have the weight to be good plow trucks. kinda makes it a truck still. i think they classify it as a suv for insurance or marketing BS.

You can think of it as a station wagon on a truck frame or a panel truck with windows or a pickup with a topper... lol