1999 Chevrolet Suburban Electrical System

The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost power steering and power braking functionality. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the security system that controlled the fuel pump and fuel injectors had been activated. The contact pulled off the highway and could not restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a service station where he inspected the vehicle and became aware that the distributor had disintegrated causing the vehicle to lose motive power and stall. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact recently had a mobile mechanic install an aftermarket distributor cap and rotor from an auto parts dealer. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 183,613.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHENEVER THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PASS LOCK MODULE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

GM SIDE TERMINAL BATTERIES HAVE DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS BATTERY ACID TO LEAK OUT OF THE TERMINALS WHEN STRESSES FROM HEAVY CABLES CAUSE SEAL TO FAIL. BATTERY ACID LEAKS ON VEHICLE COMPONENTS BELOW AND HAS BEEN KNOWN TO RUIN BRAKE LINES AND OTHER IMPORTANT SAFETY COMPONENTS. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY ACID IS HARMFUL TO THE ENVIRONMENT. I HAVE PERSONALLY HAD THESE BATTERIES FAIL SEVERAL TIMES IN MY 99 CHEVY. SUBURBAN K2500 DIESEL. SEE THE LINK FOLLOWING FOR MORE REPORTS OF SAME PROBLEM BY OTHERS: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/1999/CHEVROLET/SUBURBAN/BATT TOP TERMINAL BATTERIES DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AS THE TERMINAL TO CASE SEAL IS ABOVE THE LIQUID LEVEL OF THE BATTERIES. GM IS THE ONLY MANUFACTURER THAT I KNOW OF THAT USES THE SIDE TERMINAL BATTERIES. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BLACK SMOKE EMANATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD, ACCOMPANIED BY THE SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS INSIDE THE CAB. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE TAKEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO PROPERTY INSIDE THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE ITSELF WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS.*AK

I WAS UNLOADING ITEMS AND PUSHED THE HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THAT'S WHEN THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE WENT HAYWIRE. THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD CLICKING SOUND, THE GAUGES WENT OUT OF CONTROL, THE STEREO READ OUT BEGAN FLIPPING THROUGH NUMBERS AND SINCE THIS INCIDENT THE DRIVING LIGHTS THAT SHOULD COME ON WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED THEY FLICKER AND AT TIMES GO OUT. THE ENTIRE SITUATION HAS OCCURRED NOW FOUR TIMES SINCE 09/10/05. I JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE 07/01/05 AND FROM WHAT THE RECORDS SHOW ON THE VEHICLE I AM THE SECOND OWNER. THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED TWICE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC TO WHERE THE ENTIRE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. SO FAR I HAVE AVOIDED A SERIOUS COLLISION FROM THE DEFECTS OF YOUR VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THIS COULD BE THE RESULT OF A VERY SERIOUS INJURY ACCIDENT OR EVEN A FATAL ACCIDENT. I SEE WHERE YOU HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME DEFECT AND CHEVROLET HAS DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. IT IS TIME FOR CHEVROLET TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS DEFECT INSTEAD OF TELLING THE CUSTOMERS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE GAS GAUGE HAS BEEN EFFECTED AND NO LONGER SHOWS ACCURATE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE VEHICLE. I AM KINDLY ASKING CHEVROLET TO MAKE GOOD ON THEIR MANUFACTURING OF THEIR VEHICLES AND TO PLEASE PUT THE SAFETY AND LIVES OF YOUR CUSTOMERS FIRST AND FOREMOST BEFORE THE CONCERN OF WHAT IT WILL COST YOUR COMPANY TO CORRECT THIS DEFAULT. *JB

I PURCHASED A 1999 CHEVY SUBURBAN IN 2004. WHILE LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY IM MAY OF 2005 I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I LOOKED DOWN AND THE MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH WAS ON FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE PANEL OFF THE DOOR AND GET THE SWITCH OUT. IT MELTED THE SWITCH AND THE WIRE HARNESS INSIDE THE DOOR. I'M JUST GLAD MY WIFE WASN'T DRIVING.

FAILURE OF DOOR LOCKS TO LOCK OR UNLOCK (COMPLETELY RANDOM). IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, CAN TRAP PERSON INSIDE. *NM

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR STARTED SMOKING, AND THE MIRROR CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 23, 2004 HEARD THE ALARM GO OFF. SHE WENT TO THE WINDOW, AND SAW VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL.*AK

REPEATED FAILURE OF DIESEL FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO STARTER AND 7 OF 8 GLOW PLUGS. *AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE LAST WEEK OF NOVEMBER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY FUEL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER COULD NOT RESTART VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. MECHANIC INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND TOLD CONSUMER THAT A FUSE BLEW OUT, CAUSING FUEL SYSTEM TO SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER HAD TO PAY $500.00 TO GET VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ON A RECALL. *AK

THE BATTERY TERMINAL MELTED WHICH CAUSED ACID TO LEAK ONTO THE ALTERNATOR. *JB *JB *NLM

I HAVE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SINCE THE FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE. IT STARTED WITH THE HEADLIGHT FLICKERING. UNLIKE THE OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCE, I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED 3 TIMES, 2 ALTERNATERS, CD PLAYER REPLACED, AC ON/OFF SWITCH REPLACED, TIME DELAY MODULE FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTS REPLACED, CAR ALARM DISCONNECTED, AND NOW CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. USUALLY WORKS FINE FOR ABOUT 3-6 MONTHS THE I HAVE NOTICED THE FLICKERING (AT NIGHT), AND THE ALT METER DROPS AT IDLE TO ABOUT 12 VOLTS. THIS HAS GONE INTO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY NOW AND VERY SOON THE WARRANTY WILL EXPIRE. I WAS TOLD BY THE WARRANTY COMPANY THAT AFTER IT EXPIRES, THEY DO NOT COVER PRE-EXISTING PROBLEMS. THEY ARE NOW CONDUCTING A TEST AND CHANGING SOME CONNECTORS ON THE ALTERNATER, AND IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THE COST. FLICKERING AT NIGHT IS ONE THING WITH OTHER CARS. RESOLVING A PROBLEM ON A 40K CAR IS ANOTHER. PLEASE HELP

AC DELCO BATTERY. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE POSITIVE TERMINAL IS FAILING, AND ACID IS LEAKING ON TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING AND AIR CONDITIONER ,COMING TO THE POSITIVE TERMINAL AND DOWN TO THE GROUND. *AK

I WAS DRIVING MY VECHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE FRONT VENTS. WE GOT OUT AND THE VEHICLE SOON BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES.*AK

I HAVE A DIESEL VERSION OF THE SUBURBAN, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTING THE TWO BATTERIES IS VERY LOOSE AND WILL NOT STAY IN THE CHANNEL DESIGNED FOR IT OVER THE FAN SHROUD. I REPLACE IT EACH TIME, WHILE COMING TO WORK THIS MORNING, I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, AND THEN HEARD AN AWFUL NOISE. I PULLED OVER, OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE SPARKS FLYING EVERYWHERE. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE TRUCK OFF TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND THAT THE CABLE HAD COME OUT OF ITS PLACE YET AGAIN & FALLEN INTO THE FAN. I WAS LUCKY I SHUT IT OFF WHEN I DID, THERE WAS ONLY A FEW "THREADS" OF COPPER HOLDING IT TOGETHER. HAD IT CUT COMPLETELY IN TWO, THERE MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE. *JB

CAR BATTERY LEAKED, STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS, CABLES WERE REPLACED TWICE, AND THE BATTERY LEAKED ON TOP OF BRAKE CABLE. DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. *LA

PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE FUEL GAUGE IS INCORRECT. THIS STARTED IN NOV 2002. NOW THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE HEAD LIGHTS DON'T COME ON OR SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. ALL THE DASH BOARD GAUGES START ALL START MOVING BACK AND FORTH. WHILE ALL THIS IS GOING ON A HIGH PITCHED "AC" STATIC NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM THE WIRING. *NLM

VEHICLE STARTED BEING SLUGGISH, CONSUMER OPENED HOOD AND NOTICED BATTERY ACID ALL AROUND BATTERY. ONE OF THE BATTERYS TERMINAL WAS COMING LOOSE, AND ACID WAS LEAKING. BATTERY WAS A A.C. DELCO. *AK *SLC

WHILE DRIVING IGNITION DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY, CAUSING ENGINE TO LOSE POWER, RESULTING IN STALLING AND SHUTTING OFF.*AK

BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO BATTERY ACID LEAKING FROM BATTERY AND DRIPPING ON BRAKE LINE DIRECTLY BENEATH BATTERY, POOR DESIGN.

THE BATTERY, ELECTRIC SYSTEM, STARTER, ALTERNATOR,LIGHTS HAVE ALL BEEN A TECH. PROBLEM. WE LEASE THE CAR UNTIL LAST YEAR WHEN WE PURCHASED IT. WHEN THE CAR DIED THE FIRST 36 MTHS THE DEALER REPLACED THE SAME ITEMS THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE AFTER 36K. WE HAVE PUT 3 BATTERIES FROM SEARS IN THE CAR ALREADY. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK OUT THE ALARM AND DID NOT TELL US. WE HAVE PAID AND TOWED THE CAR TO THE POINT WHEN EVEN THE DEALERSHIP MANAGER IS TELLING US HE IS SHORT OF TECH. STAFF. THE PROBLEM STARTS WITH THE LIGHTS (I.E. BLINKER DOES WORK OR HEADLIGHT DOES NOT TURN ON) WITHIN 30 DAYS THE BATTERY IS DEAD AND THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHY BUT CHARGES USE TO REPLACE THE CABLES TO THE BATTERY. I HAVE CALLED THE MANUFACTER, AND THEY SAY GET THE ALARM PUT BACK AND TRY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS HAPPEN. NO ONE HAS DIED DUE TO THIS ONGOING ISSUE. BUT, I HAVE 4 YOUNG CHILDREN, AND TO NOT HAVE THE CAR START IN PARKING LOTS OF MALLS AND DIE WHILE WE ARE DRIVING IS VERY UPSETTING.WE HAVE USED UP ALL MY TOWING ON AAA.

THE POSITIVE POST OF THE BATTERY FAILED AND BATTERY ACID DRENCHED AREA NEAR AND UNDER THE DAMAGED BATTERY. NLM

VEHICLE STARTED UP INTERMITTENTLY WHEN CONSUMER PUT KEYS INSIDE OF IGNITION SWITCH. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

CIRCUIT BOARDS FOR BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE OVERHEATED AND CAUSED PLASTIC SOCKETS THAT BULBS WERE IN TO MELT. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE SEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT THAT OVER 400 OF THESE HAVE BEEN SOLD, CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS IS AN INDICATION OF A DESIGN FLAW. *SLC