Where are the ground points?

[jjaaam]

I’ve searched this forum and also the wider internet but I haven’t found anything that just explicitly says it: where are the ground points on vehicles of this generation?

I’m working on a 2015 Tahoe LTZ with strange electrical problems. Taking advice from @Tahoe14 I’m replacing the battery (it’s close to three years old) and was wanting to inspect/clean/tighten any grounding points.

I found the one on the driver’s side firewall that has a ground strap, so I got some sandpaper and cleaned it up really well.

But where are the other ones?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Tahoe14]

The battery is just one of the issues we have seen and the battery life is usually 3-5 years depending on the climate you live in, that’s why I was asking about the age. The battery is not necessarily an item you need to replace at this time but something to consider, don’t want you just throwing money at it. The battery cables are also an item to look at as they can corrode on the inside and make sure they are tight at the battery and the other end, just follow them. The grounds are the other item to also look at. I will try to get you some help on the ground locations @Doubeleive, @Fless, @swathdiver.

 

[Doubeleive]

there are grounds right under the firewall and right behind both front wheels on the frame (terrible location) as they get hit with every bit of splash from the tires
there is another (bcm) ground inside the cab beside the front left speaker, you have to pull the pillar covers off and pull the front dash trim up to access it.

 

[jjaaam]

The battery is just one of the issues we have seen and the battery life is usually 4-5 years depending on the climate you live in, that’s why I was asking about the age. The battery is not necessarily an item you need to replace at this time but something to consider, don’t want you just throwing money at it. The battery cables are also an item to look at as they can corrode on the inside and make sure they are tight at the battery and the other end, just follow them. The grounds are the other item to also look at. I will try to get you some help on the ground locations @Doubeleive, @Fless, @swathdiver.

Agree on not throwing money at it by changing the battery, but at least it’s something to try. Two different dealers in two different states (Michigan and Colorado) have looked at it and have not solved the problem. It might be worth a shot at this point.

 

[jjaaam]

there are grounds right under the firewall and right behind both front wheels on the frame (terrible location) as they get hit with every bit of splash from the tires
there is another (bcm) ground inside the cab beside the front left speaker, you have to pull the pillar covers off and pull the front dash trim up to access it.

How accessible are the ones on the frame? I’d be doing this in a garage and not on a lift.

 

[jjaaam]

Here’s a thought - what if we took it back to the dealer and asked them to inspect/clean/tighten all the ground points?

I’ve just got a bad feeling that if it’s not that - in combination with a new battery - that it’s gonna get expensive.

 

[Doubeleive]

How accessible are the ones on the frame? I’d be doing this in a garage and not on a lift.

Pretty easy, it's right behind the bottom of the splash guard which does nothing to protect it

 

[jjaaam]

Pretty easy, it's right behind the bottom of the splash guard which does nothing to protect it
View attachment 408826

Thanks.

Working on access to the ground on the A pillar. I have the pillar cover off but it’s not obvious how the trim piece or the speaker cover comes off. Any ideas?

 

[jjaaam]

Pretty easy, it's right behind the bottom of the splash guard which does nothing to protect it
View attachment 408826

Also, this has the power running boards. Looks like the ground is in a slightly different location (I’m cleaning it off now)

 

[Doubeleive]

Thanks.

Working on access to the ground on the A pillar. I have the pillar cover off but it’s not obvious how the trim piece or the speaker cover comes off. Any ideas? View attachment 408838

Both pillar covers have to come off then the whole front panel that goes across the window has to lift up and off you will see the split it just has clips that hold it on, use a plastic trim tool so you don't scratch everything up

 

[Doubeleive]

The point of checking the one under the pillar is just a visual check mostly there was a recall on the pickups because they used too much glue right there and the ground would be bad and cause problems, the suvs are designed the same as the pickups for the most part

 

[jjaaam]

Well…I put a new battery in, cleaned the two frame grounds by the front wheels, and the one for the ground strap on the firewall. The one on the frame on the passenger side was covered with grease and gunk. The one on the pillar was beyond my pay grade with trying to take that whole dash trim part up LOL.

Test drive was fine so I’m praying for the best. Thanks to everyone for their help!

Last question: should I cover the frame grounds with grease or something? I did use some sandpaper (on both the frame and the terminals) to get a good connection.

 

[Doubeleive]

Well…I put a new battery in, cleaned the two frame grounds by the front wheels, and the one for the ground strap on the firewall. The one on the frame on the passenger side was covered with grease and gunk. The one on the pillar was beyond my pay grade with trying to take that whole dash trim part up LOL.

Test drive was fine so I’m praying for the best. Thanks to everyone for their help!

Last question: should I cover the frame grounds with grease or something? I did use some sandpaper (on both the frame and the terminals) to get a good connection.

if anything i would apply some kind of rust prevention, spray on would be easiest

 

[BlaineBug]

Can you describe these electrical issues in detail?

 

[jjaaam]

Can you describe these electrical issues in detail?

Please see this thread:

2015 Tahoe LTZ - intermittent IP freaking out and losing power steering

Hello, My daughter has a 2015 Tahoe LTZ with around 100k miles that experiences random "freaking out" of the instrument panel - various warning lights come on and the needle gages bounce. On top of that, the power steering goes out. It's been to two different dealers and they cannot duplicate...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[BlaineBug]

Please see this thread:

2015 Tahoe LTZ - intermittent IP freaking out and losing power steering

Hello, My daughter has a 2015 Tahoe LTZ with around 100k miles that experiences random "freaking out" of the instrument panel - various warning lights come on and the needle gages bounce. On top of that, the power steering goes out. It's been to two different dealers and they cannot duplicate...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

Watch this:

 

[Fless]

Well…I put a new battery in, cleaned the two frame grounds by the front wheels, and the one for the ground strap on the firewall. The one on the frame on the passenger side was covered with grease and gunk. The one on the pillar was beyond my pay grade with trying to take that whole dash trim part up LOL.

Test drive was fine so I’m praying for the best. Thanks to everyone for their help!

Last question: should I cover the frame grounds with grease or something? I did use some sandpaper (on both the frame and the terminals) to get a good connection.

Just some rattle can paint, or Fluid Film from time to time. Do the front side where the threads poke through the mount. One of my bolt holes there was stripped and I had to nut it.

 

[BlaineBug]

Just some rattle can paint, or Fluid Film from time to time. Do the front side where the threads poke through the mount. One of my bolt holes there was stripped and I had to nut it.

I didn't think that the frame mount grounding location at the passenger side front was accessible from the back. I agree that, you have to be very careful tightening any of those self-tapping frame bolts. It just doesn't seem like there's a lot of meat for the threads to bite in to, this applies to skid plates as well which also use self tapping fasteners into the frame.

 

[jjaaam]

I didn't think that the frame mount grounding location at the passenger side front was accessible from the back. I agree that, you have to be very careful tightening any of those self-tapping frame bolts. It just doesn't seem like there's a lot of meat for the threads to bite in to, this applies to skid plates as well which also use self tapping fasteners into the frame.

On both sides, there was a small nut welded on; the bolts were not self tapping. This is on a 2015 Tahoe so maybe that’s why it’s different from a Silverado or a Sierra. Similar but different.

 

[jjaaam]

Just some rattle can paint, or Fluid Film from time to time. Do the front side where the threads poke through the mount. One of my bolt holes there was stripped and I had to nut it.

I used Fluid Film