Dealer diagnosis and repair: One of the differential bearings had failed; wheel bearings were fine. I'm at 50K miles.

NOTHING in my paperwork indicated ANY warranty beyond 3yr/36K; however, the dealer showed me some update from GM wherein 2007 and newer are 5yr/100K on most all engine and drivetrain issues.

Praise the Lord.

One more issue: battery would fail if anything left on just for a moment; e.g., leave a door open for 10 minutes or so, and you might not get her started again.

Here's GM explanation to me (seriously): the vehicle's computer constrains the alternator function to a certain depletion threshold before the alternator is permitted to "engage." Well, if you are not quite to that threshold and you shut your vehicle off for any reason, you're now sitting on a depleted battery that will likely fail to start if further depleted from, oh I dunno....the radio...?

So.....the dealer has a campaign that authorizes them to "reprogram" something that enables to the alternator to run when it's supposed to....like when the engine's running. Yup.

Listen, I've no issue with that explanation; they did reprogram it; we'll see and I'll update.

BTW, that reprogram campaign is only covered thru the base warranty of 3yr/36K, so get in there if this applies to you.

--Bryant <!-- google_ad_section_end --><!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_946851--><!-- THE POST -->

 

sounds like something I need.

I always listen to the radio while washing the truck or working outside, etc... and this tahoe is so damn hard on the batteries, even a brand new one feels like it's dying the next day...

how much stress could an alternator put on a V8 anyway?!

it would have made 100x more sense to put the power steering pump on a motor than shut off the alternator... stupid design...

Many cars now have electric power steering pumps and they seem to do just fine... when your idling in traffic or on the high way, it takes very little to turn your wheels... the pump only runs when it's needed... vs engine driven which is working 100% all the time...

 

Your dealer's explanation of the battery issue, makes sense to me. We have had several instances where the battery died unexplainable. We would jump it and it would be fine. My dealer claims there is no history of battery issues and offer no assistance. My newest battery is an Optima Red Top(850 CCA) in an attempt to always have enough juice to get it started. Another glitch, when your battery is dead...OnStar is USELESS. We were able to call OnStar, but they could not locate the vehicle.
The extended factory powertrain warranty came in July '06 I think.

 

Your dealer should have done that alternator software upgrade about two years ago when it came out unless you've never had it in a dealer service before now.

 

OK, i want a red top for mine (I had one in my 1995) what EXACT model # do I buy?

thanks!