O.T. GM Suburban Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 254
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From: Crofton MD
O.T. GM Suburban Question
We have a 98 Suburban that my wife drives. It has two batteries. The other day I was out of town and my wife went shopping. When she tried to start it, it was very slow turning over. It finally caught and since she was across the street from the dealer, she took it there. The dealer did a check on the charging system and found out that the batteries were bad. Hey they are 5 years old, so no problem. If I had been home I problem would have replaced them myself and I am certainly not second-guessing my wife's decision to go to the dealer, but my question is why do you have to replace both batteries? Can't you take out both and put one back? I asked the dealer this and his answer was, "you need both because one is for the solenoid and one is for the starter." I don't totally buy this. Does anyone have any experience with the two battery setup?
Team Owner
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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Re: O.T. GM Suburban Question (gmcclurg)
Only time I have seen two batteries is in RV's or camper vans.
One was for the normal electrical system and the other operated the camping accessories. The second in that case is on an isolator that allows the alternator to charge both batteries, but the second battery could not draw off the first.
I did not know GM needed 12 volts x 1400 amps or 24 volts x 700 amps to run a Suburban. -- DAMN!! --
I also find it odd both batteries went down at the same time. If what they said is true and only one powers the starter, then only that one should need to be replaced. The solenoid hardly takes any power to engage, its the starter that takes all the juice (and I thought it had to come through the solenoid) to turn the motor over.
Something sounds funny.........
One was for the normal electrical system and the other operated the camping accessories. The second in that case is on an isolator that allows the alternator to charge both batteries, but the second battery could not draw off the first.
I did not know GM needed 12 volts x 1400 amps or 24 volts x 700 amps to run a Suburban. -- DAMN!! --
I also find it odd both batteries went down at the same time. If what they said is true and only one powers the starter, then only that one should need to be replaced. The solenoid hardly takes any power to engage, its the starter that takes all the juice (and I thought it had to come through the solenoid) to turn the motor over.
Something sounds funny.........
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,955
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Re: O.T. GM Suburban Question (gmcclurg)
I have found that many dealership's service writers don't know crap. They spout off stuff like its a fact when in fact it is false. I'm not saying this is true in your case, but a second opinion is in order. Or, if you know much about cars, you can look at the wiring and tell right away if they are simply in parallel or driving different circuits.
Personally, I doubt the two battery setup has any unique features other than extra CCA for you northerners. GM tends to avoid multiple wiring setups on the same vehicle, too much $$$.
Jeff
Personally, I doubt the two battery setup has any unique features other than extra CCA for you northerners. GM tends to avoid multiple wiring setups on the same vehicle, too much $$$.
Jeff
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
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From: absecon nj
Re: O.T. GM Suburban Question (no_radio)
i work on dual battery setups at work all day,its always best to replace them in pairs,gm doesnt use an isolator in the trucks so if you install one new battery in there the old will and can draw that battery down,plus ive seen it put a strain on the charging system also.He did the right thing.When i replace the batterys in the trucks i wont replace only one.Plus you said there 5 years old if ones bad the other is right behind it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Re: O.T. GM Suburban Question (page62)
we have 3 chevy 3500 series pickups and a suburban with dual battery setups from gm, one goes right to the starter the other is for everything else.all the other ones we have are diesels.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 605
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From: Orlando Fl
Re: O.T. GM Suburban Question (page62)
Two batteries? WTF? I've never seen or heard of a Suburban with 2 batteries -- up north or down south. Is it a diesel?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Crofton MD
Re: O.T. GM Suburban Question (Fasteighty)
Thanks for the input. Since we have two new batteries, I guess I won't worry about it for another 5 years. I agree that the service writer probably doesn't know anything.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,635
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From: Union Ontario
Re: O.T. GM Suburban Question (gmcclurg)
my K5 has dual batteries. THey came with the plowing/tow package. What the dual batteries provide are more reserve capacity so the alternator doesn't have to work as hard while the vehicle is plow or towing something with electrical brakes. I would assume the reason that you have them would be for something similar
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 440
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From: Sanford Florida
Re: O.T. GM Suburban Question (patsnitrovette)
i work on dual battery setups at work all day,its always best to replace them in pairs,gm doesnt use an isolator in the trucks so if you install one new battery in there the old will and can draw that battery down,plus ive seen it put a strain on the charging system also.He did the right thing.When i replace the batterys in the trucks i wont replace only one.Plus you said there 5 years old if ones bad the other is right behind it.
