New user and New to GM- cluster and slow elec drain

[Red Rider]

Hi All, just signed up. Picking up a 2004 Tahoe with Z71 package and 5.3L engine, with 110,000miles. I am picking it up next weekend and have not yet had a chance to check out everything.

Here are issues i have found so far:

-The instrument cluster is completely dead. I think that is easy fix by ordering the stepper motors and replacing them. Any good sources for these? I was going to replace all the lights in cluster with blue LEDs while i am in there.

-There seems to be a power drain somewhere because previous owner reported battery kept dieing. the battery is brand new and still dead. It runs when jumped. I have not yet checked alternator or had time to trouble shoot more. It has the tow hitch option and did notice that the connectors had been bent (as if someone jammed a piece of wood in there or something) and may have been touching. i was wondering (after i saw it) that this may be a factor in slow leak?

-It is going to need some tires. This is going to be practical vehicle since other vehicles are lifted. But still would like to cool tread as long as it is still safest on the road to carry family. Any suggestions. It currently has 265/70r17.

-I was wondering if I needed to look out for any major milestones in terms of maintenance (expensive repairs).

Thanks in advance.

 

[Yukongk]

Hi All, just signed up. Picking up a 2004 Tahoe with Z71 package and 5.3L engine, with 110,000miles. I am picking it up next weekend and have not yet had a chance to check out everything.

Here are issues i have found so far:

-The instrument cluster is completely dead. I think that is easy fix by ordering the stepper motors and replacing them. Any good sources for these? I was going to replace all the lights in cluster with blue LEDs while i am in there.

-There seems to be a power drain somewhere because previous owner reported battery kept dieing. the battery is brand new and still dead. It runs when jumped. I have not yet checked alternator or had time to trouble shoot more. It has the tow hitch option and did notice that the connectors had been bent (as if someone jammed a piece of wood in there or something) and may have been touching. i was wondering (after i saw it) that this may be a factor in slow leak?

-It is going to need some tires. This is going to be practical vehicle since other vehicles are lifted. But still would like to cool tread as long as it is still safest on the road to carry family. Any suggestions. It currently has 265/70r17.

-I was wondering if I needed to look out for any major milestones in terms of maintenance (expensive repairs).

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the club!
-Don't know much about the gauge clusters.

-For the battery drain, check the window switches (drivers door armrest). I had a slight issue with them once that seemed to cause my battery to drain, I simply reseated all the connections. Also, start the truck and turn the radio on, then check to make sure the radio goes off when you open the door with the ignition OFF(I think the door switch can get stuck). These are easy to check, but electrical drain can come from numerous things. Also, check the battery terminals and cables for corrosion (would prevent proper charging from the alternator).

-Tires: I upgraded to Escalade 18's and a lot of members upgrade to other GM 20's. You get better handling, still have a nice size sidewall for rough roads, and changes the look dramatically. Your speedo will be off by 1-2mph though.

-Milestones:
Fuel pumps tend to go out on these trucks. Mine went at around 138k. Check coolant to make sure its not sludgy. What kind of suspension is on the z71's? If self-leveling, check air shocks and compressor.

 

[Red Rider]

Thanks for welcome.

Thanks for the tips on battery drain. I will check those out.

I don't know if we have much of a budget for upgrading wheels but can look into it if I can find used ones.

How hard is the fuel pump to replace? Does it just die and leave you stranded or does it give you warning?

Do you have to deal with timing chain? I could not find interval of change.

 

[Yukongk]

Thanks for welcome.

Thanks for the tips on battery drain. I will check those out.

I don't know if we have much of a budget for upgrading wheels but can look into it if I can find used ones.

How hard is the fuel pump to replace? Does it just die and leave you stranded or does it give you warning?

Do you have to deal with timing chain? I could not find interval of change.

Fuel pump can leave you stranded. Have to drop fuel tank.

Never heard of anyone talk about replacing a timing chain on here.

As for wheels, you can find used wheels relatively inexpensive. The reason I made this suggestion is because I recently needed tires and found 18" wheels off an Esky with tires that still have life left on them. Got the whole set for cheaper than what new tires would have cost, and I have nice wheels now.

 

[Chiggy]

I'm new to the forum and new to GM too. I got an 05 Z71 about a month ago and then left town for work for two weeks so I've really only had 2 weeks with it.
What I've learned so far:
Look into upgrading the the 05+ electric fans. This will save you some MPG.
I would have tow and roadside added to your insurance in case the fuel pump does go out on you. I fill up at 1/4 or 1/3 tank to keep fuel in there to keep it cooled to prolong it's life.
You can get a replacement cluster from rock auto or a junkyard/ebay etc and just replace the whole thing in a few minutes. Installing LED's in one is a several hour job and tedious work with a soldering iron. The older models just had replaceable bulbs.
The timing chain isn't really a maintenance item as far as I know.
A cold air from K&N or the like will wake it up and help with MPG as well. I also went for a magnaflow muffler.
Going to bigger wheels and tires will make the front hubs shit out. Tires in the stock size for the Z71 aren't too uncommon so they aren't too expensive. I think when it's time I'm going for a BFG A/T

 

[Red Rider]

Thanks Chiggy,

What were the issues with the old fan? How much does newer fan increase MPG?

I will look at air intake. thanks for tip.

For tires, I don't mind changing wheels if it means better road handling. I was looking at a beefier off road tire, but it makes road handling less friendly. As I already have two other trucks lifted, don't want to do third... yet. Stock is always easier to fix too.

Do people just replace the fuel pump after a set amount of miles?

 

[jomulk56]

I once had a dealer tell me to replace the fuel pump at 150k because of the in tank fuel filter. Pretty sure they just wanted the money tho.


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[YukonXL04]

I had 2 fuel pumps go out on previous vehicles and with both I could hear humming from it for a few weeks before it went completely out. However my last truck started humming and I changed the fuel filter on the frame and it went away and the pump never went out. So could always try that. For the cluster I would look into just paying someone to rebuild it and add leds. As for tires, well everyone has their brand preference so just go with what you like.

 

[Chiggy]

Thanks Chiggy,

What were the issues with the old fan? How much does newer fan increase MPG?

I will look at air intake. thanks for tip.

For tires, I don't mind changing wheels if it means better road handling. I was looking at a beefier off road tire, but it makes road handling less friendly. As I already have two other trucks lifted, don't want to do third... yet. Stock is always easier to fix too.

Do people just replace the fuel pump after a set amount of miles?

Your fan on the 04 should be belt driven. The 05+ are electric. they don't use engine power to turn saving about 1-2mpg maybe.

 

[Sasquatch]

If your fuel pump ever dies you can always give the gas tank a good slap with a 2x4. It doesn`t always work but i`ve seen it work many times. It`s not a fix by any means but it will allow you to get it home or a repair shop.

I forgot to add that you should have the key on when you hit the tank, If it works you`ll hear the pump start up.

 

[YukonXL04]

If your fuel pump ever dies you can always give the gas tank a good slap with a 2x4. It doesn`t always work but i`ve seen it work many times. It`s not a fix by any means but it will allow you to get it home or a repair shop.

I forgot to add that you should have the key on when you hit the tank, If it works you`ll hear the pump start up.

This has worked on my bros 88 truck and my blazer, didn't work on my grand am.

 

[Sasquatch]

And if your gauge cluster is dead you can always send it out to this guy on ebay that repairs it and sends it back to you with all new stepper motors and also adds a trans temp gauge and programs it to work. you can also choose different color gauge needles.

My oil pressure stepper went bad a few weeks ago and i`m thinking about going with this setup he offers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221292190131?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[Red Rider]

Haha.. thanks for the tip. I will carry special 2x4 in the truck. That is a good thing to know in case i gets stuck.

yukonxl04, thanks for the heads up on filter and pump. I will look at records and perhaps change out the filter. I can't imagine that filter is that expensive...

I drove it home last night. We had to jump it. the battery, brand new, was down to 2-3 volts. It jumped fine and showed it charging. if you accelerated, you could see the amps move. When it was home, 30min later, i turned it off, and it showed about 12 some volts. It started up again sluggishly.

The hitch outlet on rear bumper had a tab bent, but it did not seem to be touching others so I don't thinks this was issue with drain. I bent them back.

The cluster came back on and was working fine. I had no single dead gauge and all seemed to be working fine. PO said when it dies, it goes completely dead... whole cluster off. Cluster had been ongoing thing for many years. when they took it to dealer, it always worked fine.

PO said no additions had been made recently. Only aftermarket item is a dvd player for rear, added in 2004 by dealer.

I did not have time to check it out last night, but i will do so hopefully tonight. I will start by looking at records to see what was done recently, to see if perhaps a mechanic shorted out a wire.

 

[Red Rider]

Messed with truck tonight. It had about 12v on battery and sluggishly started. I found one fuse at instrument panel fuse box, left of driver, That had a wire sticking out of it. Fuse was not properly set. The fuse was labeled 'tbc accy'- truck body controller accessory. I think this wire was for the entertainment system for rear of vehicle installed by dealer. Pretty shoddy install. Cluster was dead again bTW.

I checked the fuses in engine compartment as well. I found one labeled 'IPC/DIC' - instrument panel cluster /driver information center. After I pulled it, with key out of ignition, I measured 12v. After resetting it, the mileage went blank, meaning all LEDs were lit up. But it would not turn off, event after couple minutes, and interior lights dimmed off. I pulled the fuse again for the night thinking my drain may be from cluster. I will check it tomorrow.

 

[Red Rider]

here is a picture of my dash once i put the fuse back in:

 

[jesse53]

If your fuel pump ever dies you can always give the gas tank a good slap with a 2x4. It doesn`t always work but i`ve seen it work many times. It`s not a fix by any means but it will allow you to get it home or a repair shop.

I forgot to add that you should have the key on when you hit the tank, If it works you`ll hear the pump start up.

Agree! That got me from being stranded on Christmas eve once in the middle of nowhere in a Dodge Van.

---------- Post added at 09:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 AM ----------

I know a place that rebuilds that cluster if that is the problem..

 

[Red Rider]

Took it out tonight. Battery was at 11.6v. But started up fine. Gauges were all working fine again. When I shut it off, this time, there was one dot in middle of odometer on, even after vehicle was locked. I came back 15min later, gauges dead again. Crazy. When they work, everything is perfect.

When I shut it off, battery was at 12.16v.

 

[Red Rider]

Has anyone used the eBay repair shop Sasquach recommended in post #12 ?

Here is link again:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221292190131?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

It is not bad pricing. $227 plus shipping of old core. Not sure cost of shipping and insuring a cluster.

 

[Red Rider]

So i finally took my cluster completely apart. There was really nothing in there that you could mess with as it is all microchips. There were two capacitors that seemed ok though i did not measure there capacity.

The LED tubes that have the odometer and gear indicator had what seemed like a hot spot on inside of both as if something had burned out.

I then re-assembled it all, plugged it back in. It has been working fine since. Has not gone out once. I am suspecting that it could be a problem with the contacts in the connector between cluster and wiring harness. I saw a YouTube video that showed how to re-tightened the female part of connector.

It is weird that it is working now though. I am thinking it may be short lived. Wait and see. The weird thing is that when i unbolted the cluster, is moved the wires around at the connector, and there was not change in cluster. You would think that if this was an issue, it would show.

 

[Red Rider]

So its been two weeks, every time i start up the truck, cluster is working perfectly. Don't know what I did, but I guess it worked... Frustrating (in a good way). I guess I will focus on the other issues